2 Weeks Before
Night Before
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Review final RSVP list, and call important guests who have not yet responded. Deliver must-have shot lists to photographer and videographer. Deliver song list to DJ or band leader. Get your last pre-wedding hair cut and/or color. Give the reception site and caterer a final head count. If you are having a sit-down dinner, prepare a seating chart as well as place and table cards. Make last-minute arrangements with all wedding vendors. Practice walking in your wedding shoes. Provide ceremony and reception sites with a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times as well as contact numbers. Pack for your honeymoon!
2-3 Days Before • • • • • • • • •
Have your gown pressed or steamed, if necessary. Send wedding day timeline to wedding party and pertinent vendors. Grooms should go for a final fitting. Confirm that groomsmen do this, as well. Determine the order of the bridal party in the processional and recessional. Deliver place cards, table cards, menus, favors and all other table setting necessities to the caterer or location coordinator. Confirm final details with all vendors. Discuss any last-minute changes, including delivery times. Confirm pickup times and locations with your transportation service. Bring welcome baskets to the hotel concierge for delivery to outof-town guests. Pack your pre-wedding and wedding night bags.
Day Before • • • •
Assign a point-person if you don’t have a wedding planner. Provide all wedding vendors with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding. Pick up tuxedos. Prepare all fees, payments and tips to be paid.
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Rehearsal! Meet with wedding party, readers, officiant and immediate family at the ceremony site to discuss details. Bring any ceremony accessories to the site. Give your marriage license to your officiant. Attend the rehearsal dinner, and present attendants with gifts. Get some sleep!
Day-Of • • • • •
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Eat and drink plenty of water throughout the day. It’s going to be a long one! Present parents and each other with gifts. Give wedding bands to the best man and maid of honor to hold during the ceremony. Give the best man the officiant’s envelope to be handed off after the ceremony. Introduce your reception site manager to your consultant or maid of honor for any questions or problems during the reception. Assign a family member or attendant to be the photographer’s contact so he can identify important people. Try not to stress, and enjoy your special day!
Post-Wedding • • •
Designate a person to retrieve and store your wedding day items. Arrange in advance for someone to return rented equipment. Pre-plan for attendants to take the bride’s gown for cleaning and return the groom’s tux to the rental shop.
Post-Honeymoon •
Write and send thank you notes for gifts and for vendors who were especially helpful. Sophisticated Woman Wedding Magazine | 2017-18
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