There are approximately one million things to think about when planning a wedding.
Okay, maybe not literally.
But by the time the wedding day arrives, you've made so many decisions that it's incredibly easy for a few small details to slip through the cracks. And strangely enough, sometimes it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference in how smoothly the day goes.
After watching a LOT of weddings, these are a few details we think are worth adding to your final checklist.
A CLEAR Emergency Box
Yes, the word clear deserves to be capitalized.
We've always recommended having some sort of wedding-day emergency kit, but then we watched a bride show up with everything organized inside a completely clear plastic tote.
Genius.
It's one thing to know that somewhere inside your emergency bag there is a safety pin.
It's another thing entirely to be able to look through the side of the box and immediately see exactly where the safety pins are.
Fill it with things you might need throughout the day:
Safety pins
Bobby pins and hair ties
Fashion tape
Stain remover
Scissors
Bandages
Pain reliever
Deodorant
Tissues
Mints
Sewing kit
Phone chargers
Feminine products
A lint roller
Hopefully you'll barely touch it.
But when someone needs something, you'll be very glad it's there.
A Plan for Your Personal Belongings
Phones. Purses. Wallets. Overnight bags. Changes of clothes.
All of these things somehow need to end up in the right place when the wedding is over.
Before the day begins, designate one trusted person to make sure your important belongings get where they need to go.
If you're leaving through a send-off, you don't want to get halfway to your hotel and realize your overnight bag is still sitting in the bridal suite.
Comfortable Shoes
You may absolutely love your wedding shoes.
Your feet may feel differently about them six hours later.
Pack a pair of comfortable shoes for the reception, even if you don't think you'll need them. Flats, sneakers, sandals, whatever you'll actually wear.
Your future feet will thank you.
Snacks and Water
Please eat.
Wedding days are busy, and it's surprisingly easy to make it halfway through the afternoon before realizing you've had nothing but coffee since breakfast.
Have easy snacks and bottled water available while everyone is getting ready. Think protein bars, fruit, sandwiches, crackers, or anything else that's easy to grab between activities.
Nobody wants a hangry wedding party.
A Box for the Little Ceremony Details
If you have special items for your ceremony, keep them together.
That might include:
Rings
Marriage license
Vow books
Unity ceremony supplies
Handkerchiefs
Reserved seating signs
Memorial items
Putting everything in one designated place makes it much easier for whoever is helping with your ceremony to find what they need.
Someone Who Knows Where Everything Goes
Delegating is wonderful.
Delegating without instructions is... less wonderful.
If friends or family members are helping with décor, gifts, personal items, or cleanup, make sure someone actually knows the plan.
Even a simple note on a box that says "Take to Mom's car after reception" can save a lot of confusion at the end of the night.
The more decisions you can make before your wedding day, the fewer questions people will need to ask you during it.
Your Vendor Contact Information
Keep your important vendor information somewhere that's easy to access, and make sure someone besides the couple has it too.
Hopefully everything runs exactly on schedule. But if someone needs to check on a delivery or confirm an arrival time, it's nice for a parent, coordinator, or trusted wedding party member to be able to handle it without tracking you down.
A Little Extra Time
Okay, technically you can't pack this one in a tote.
But it's still one of the best things you can bring to your wedding day.
Give yourself more time than you think you'll need.
Hair takes longer. Someone forgets something at the hotel. A button needs to be sewn back on. Everyone is having fun and takes ten minutes longer to get dressed.
A little buffer in your timeline keeps those tiny delays from turning into stress.
And Finally, Someone Else in Charge
This might be the most important one.
On your wedding day, you should not be the person answering every question.
Choose a coordinator, venue staff member, parent, sibling, or extremely responsible friend who can be the go-to person when something comes up.
Your job is to get married.
Let somebody else figure out where the extra extension cord went.
The truth is, you probably will forget something on your wedding day. Almost everyone does.
And chances are, it won't matter at all.
Prepare for the things you can, surround yourself with people you trust, and then enjoy the day. Nobody has ever had their wedding ruined because they forgot the lint roller.
But seriously.
Get the clear emergency tote.