Imagine this.
Your big day has finally come. It is your time to feel like a real princess and you have it all figured out from the magical dress to the breathtaking location. You are getting to marry your soulmate after what feels like an eternity of waiting and get your slice of the happily ever after pie. Then you get to the church and realize that you left the piece of paper on which you wrote your elaborate wedding vows at home.
I know; your heart just dropped at the thought of something so horrible happening on your wedding day. Unfortunately, this and other scenarios involving forgetting things are all too common. In the hassle of getting everything ready it is very likely that one or two things will skip your mind. And the worst part is, that some of these things are bad enough to ruin what might have been weeks, months or even years of planning. To save you from these mini heart attack-inducing events, here are tips on how to ensure that you cover all your bases leading up to and on the big day.
10 details that could easily skip your mind
Getting clothes and accessories to the venue
It is not likely for you to forget to carry your wedding dress although there are some brides who have had to deal with such drama. It is the little things like earrings, hair pins and shoes that often get left behind as you rush to get to the venue in time. To spare yourself the stress, simply pack all you will need the night before.
Closing your wedding tabs
More often than not, many wedding vendors will allow you to clear all your bills before the wedding, many want the final installments made on the day of. Failure to do so might lead to you not having items delivered whether it is your artisanal cocktails or precious centerpieces. To be on the safe side, confirm with your vendor on their policy and close all tabs as required. Plus, don’t forget your day-of tips!
Getting the marriage license
It doesn’t matter how elaborate your wedding was and how many people attended as witnesses. Without that piece of paper, your marriage is null and void. The tricky thing here is the fact that some states require you to book in advance for your license while others offer them to walk-ins. The best thing to do is confirm this in advance, usually a month out, to avoid any last minute stress.
Double-checking and approving the song list
The music sets the mood for the party during your wedding. The last thing you want is for the DJ or the band to ruin your perfectly planned big day with a song list that doesn’t fit your style. Make sure to get a look at it and approve before it is too late to salvage the day.
Final edits on the program
Imagine taking a look at the program during your reception only to find that they misspelt your name or got the date you met wrong on your couple biography. It would definitely be enough to ruin your mood. It is therefore very important that you request a copy of the program before they are sent in for mass production before the wedding.
Transport arrangements after the party
This is something very unfortunate but also very common. You arrange for an extravagant stretch limo to take you and the girls to the venue. However, for the bridal party, it is all fun and free limo champagne games until they are stranded after the wedding with no rides home. Be a good couple and go out of your way to ensure that they at least have a place to stay or a way to get home after the festivities.
Breaking in your Cinderella slippers
Unfortunately, you are not Cinderella so your wedding shoes are unlikely to fit perfectly. There is truly nothing worse than limping around all day during your wedding because you forgot to break in your shoes. So once you get them, walk around in them a few days before the wedding just to get them ready.
Special dietary requirements
Not everyone at your wedding will be comfortable (or safe) with your seafood spread. Not every guest will enjoy the non-vegan options. Do not overlook them. You want to make sure that everyone at the wedding has a good time, so allow your guests to communicate any special diet needs they may have before the wedding. An easy place to get this information is to include a fillable line in your RSVP cards!
Insuring the wedding
Insuring your wedding is something that you cannot afford not to do considering all that could go wrong. From broken equipment to guest injury, these incidents could leave a dark cloud over what was supposed to be a beautiful memory. The good thing about wedding insurance is that it is never too late to get it. With companies like WedSafe, you can take out a great and comprehensive plan as late as the day of the wedding.
Wait… what about the dog/cat?
This is unfortunately another commonly overlooked detail when planning for weddings. A lot of wedding venues will probably not allow you to bring your furry friend to the big day, or you might choose to leave them out to avoid the stress of having to keep them entertained. If either is the case, you will have to make adequate arrangements with a pet sitter to ensure that they are not left high and dry as you start that new chapter of your life.
How do you keep from forgetting these things?
- Have a detailed itinerary for the whole duration of the wedding planning.
- Invest in a professional wedding planner.
- Get all hands on deck from family to friends; the less you have to do the less you forget.
- Delegate key duties including budgeting, balance clearing and carrying clothes/accessories to trusted friends and family.
- Follow up on any ideas you may have vocalized.
- Have an actual check list for the big day.
- Hire a pet sitter for your furry buddy if they can’t tag along.
- Look into insurance policies that companies like WedSafe early enough to protect your big day with some peace of mind.
