Don’t forget any details with this last-minute wedding day checklist

If your wedding day is approaching, it’s natural to feel anxious about all the last minute details that go into making everything just perfect.

In all the excitement, even the most organised bride or groom can forget something important, leading to unnecessary stress or an overlooked task. This last-minute wedding day checklist covers all those little details, so all you have to do is relax and enjoy your special day!

Have a written confirmation of arrangements and payment from every vendor

Be very specific in how you communicate expectations with your suppliers, including caterers, entertainment, decorators and your venue. Even if you have contracts in place, double-check the details and send out followup confirmations in the week prior to your wedding. Details such as date, location, start and finish times as well as set up and packdown requirements are all important inclusions. Keep this with their payment receipts, so that you are 100% covered if something goes wrong.

Make sure the documentation for your wedding license is ready to go

In all the fun of wedding planning, it’s easy to forget that there’s a legal ceremony taking place that requires less exciting things like government forms and identification. Make sure your celebrant has received your Notice for Intended Marriage at least one month before your wedding as well as evidence of your date and place of birth, photo ID and proof that a previous marriage has ended. If you’ve forgotten to do this, you can still lodge a form late under special circumstances but the quicker you get onto it, the greater your chances are of getting everything done in time.

Finalise your music playlist 

Supply your DJ or band with a list of songs that mean something special to you and your partner, as well as tunes you know will have your guests up and dancing! A DJ needs time to source tracks and bands need time to practice, so it’s unrealistic to expect them to turn up on the night and have your requests ready to go without adequate warning.

Have an ‘emergency kit’ packed

Pack an emergency kit that includes tissues, stain remover, a stylish umbrella, a needle and thread and anything else that could potentially save the day. If there’s one day where it pays to be overprepared, it’s your wedding day!

Have someone do a walkthrough of your venue before your ceremony

On the morning of your ceremony, have a friend do a walkthrough of your venue to double check that everything is looking good and that all the decorations have arrived. This is also a good time to check-in with the venue staff to ensure that everything is running to plan and schedule.

Double check all printing for spelling errors or misspelt names

The last thing you want to see when you arrive at your wedding venue is a beautiful welcome sign with your name misspelled in the middle of it. When ordering any printing, make sure you leave enough time before the ceremony to double check your guests’ names against their place cards, ensure wedding programs are correct and that all signage is free from mistakes, with enough time to send anything back for a reprint, if needed.

Organise pre-ceremony breakfast and snacks at least the night before

From the moment you wake on your wedding day, things are going to be go, go, go. Fitting in a nutritious breakfast may feel impossible and the nerves and excitement may kill your appetite. Despite this, fuelling up early is essential to how you’ll feel over the day, especially if you plan on sipping champagne or having a few cocktails! Have your breakfast and snacks ordered or prepared the night before so there’s no excuses and you can fit it into your morning routine with minimal fuss.

Check traffic conditions and plan accordingly

While fashionably late is acceptable, keeping your guests waiting for hours because you’re stuck in traffic isn’t the best look and can throw out the schedule for the rest of your day. Have a friend keep an eye on traffic conditions and have alternative routes mapped out in case of emergency.

Practice walking in your shoes

Even if your shoes look harmless, it can’t be stressed enough that you have to practice, practice, practice! Take them with you to any rehearsals, or organise venue walk throughs so that you can practice on the different floor types you’ll be navigating throughout the course of your day.

Have someone deliver your overnight bags to the hotel on the morning of your ceremony

If you’re spending your wedding night somewhere different to where you’re getting ready, have a friend deliver your overnight bags to the hotel before the celebrations kick off. The last thing you want to do is worry about carrying things around with you all day or finding out that someone lost them in all the excitement.

Appoint a designated gift caretaker to pick up your presents from the venue

Choose a trusted loved one to be your designated gift caretaker, and offer to organise appropriate transport for them. This way you don’t have to worry about losing them or incurring any fees for storing them at the venue overnight.

Make sure your hair and makeup artists supply you with products to touch up with throughout the day

Ask your makeup artist to give you a quick lesson on how to touch up your look and purchase the necessary tools and products required to maintain it all day – and well into the night! At the very least, have a stash of bobby pins, hairspray, translucent powder and your lip colour.

Have an itinerary prepared for the pre-ceremony morning

Your pre-ceremony schedule is going to be tight, and requires adequate wriggle room to cover any unsuspected surprises. By preparing an itinerary in advance and sticking to it as much as possible, you can take some of the stress out of your preparation by knowing how much time you have allotted to each task and how much time you have to spare.

Have a reception schedule organised and a Master of Ceremonies running it

Having a reception schedule and Master of Ceremonies helps to give focus to the night and keep everything running smoothly. Between food, toasts, speeches, music and dancing, managing a reception is a full time job for whoever is in charge of it! Make sure whoever takes this on is aware of how much hard work is involved and happy to take on this responsibility.

Have a wedding planner organise all this for you, so you don’t have to!

As you can see, the details that go into making your wedding one of the most magical days of your life is immense. Without the right help, one overlooked task can derail it into a stressful mess – which is the last thing anybody wants. That’s why working with an experienced wedding planner who thrives on organisation and lives for details is essential for couples who want to relax and make the most out of their big day. 

Evviva Events are experts in planning stunning, bespoke and even last-minute weddings, with exceptional results that speak for themselves. We thrive on organisation and taking care of every little detail, so that our couples can truly have fun on their big day.

To organise your free wedding planning consultation, please get in touch with our friendly team, today.