The Ultimate Pre-Wedding Day Checklist for Brides

Your wedding day is nearly here! But with all the excitement, you’re afraid you might forget something really important. Don’t worry! We have you covered. From packing a day-of emergency kit to finalizing the logistics with your bridal party and vendors, here’s the ultimate pre-wedding day checklist for brides.

Pack Your Wedding Day Bag

As your big day arrives, put together a wedding day bag. Consider how long you will be gone, whether it’s just overnight or an entire week to a destination, and pack it with all of the extra ensembles, lingerie and undergarments and even medications you might need. Make sure your wedding gown and any other special occasion dresses are tucked safely away in a garment bag.

Also, make sure to pack an “Emergency Kit,” full of last-minute things that might save the day. Fill it with anything from Band-Aids to pain killers to a small sewing kit. Make sure to bring along extra makeup to do touch-ups, and even a teeth whitening pen or tooth stain eraser to brighten your smile for wedding photos.

Test Drive the Full Look

Before you place your wedding gown neatly away in its garment bag, test drive the full look. Try on the full ensemble to ensure everything is good to go. Add the jewelry you picked out last week and the hair accessory (even if your hair isn’t in an updo yet)–anything that adds a finishing touch.

While you don’t have to do this in your gown, spend time breaking in your shoes. Walk around the house for a short time each day until you feel confident that they’re comfortable enough to wear for several hours. If you sense any problem areas, or if your heels hurt, consider getting a dainty gel insert to cushion the area. Also, test your heels out on different surfaces. How do they react to stone pathways or your kitchen floors? Get a sense of their overall grip and ensure you can’t slip.

Clean Your Ring

Take your engagement ring to a professional jeweler to have it cleaned. Everyone’s going to be looking, and you want to present it sparkling and gorgeous. Consider carrying a touch-up pen in your wedding day bag or emergency kit, too.

Check in with Your Planner, Coordinator and Vendors

Make sure to meet up or have a call with your wedding planner or day-of coordinator to finalize any last-minute details or minutiae that fall through the cracks. Check the forecast, and if there’s rain, make sure to talk about a contingency plan for the outdoor-related events.

You should also check in with any vendors to confirm they have everything they need (and you do, too!). Send them an email or make a quick call. Confirm arrival times for the florist, caterer and baker, as well as the hair and makeup team. For the wedding photographers, submit your final shot list.

Reach Out to Last-Minute RSVPs and Finalize Headcount Details

If you have anyone on your invite list who has not yet RSVP’d, reach out to them (or have a closer family member do so) to confirm if they will be attending. Knowing the final headcount as soon as possible can help you determine sitting arrangements and also how many meals the caterer needs to make. Pay attention to any contract deadlines to ensure you get the headcount in on time, too!

Now that you have a final headcount, you can also finalize the seating chart. Sit down with your partner and squeeze in those last-minute RSVPs and significant others. Send a copy to anyone who might need it, like the maid of honor or wedding planner.

Check on the Marriage License

Besides your officiant, you need to make sure your marriage is legally binding. Make sure you have your marriage license ready. However, as a bride, you’ll have enough to worry about the big day, so assign it to someone responsible who will remind you to actually sign it. Have this person deliver it to make it official!

Finalize Honeymoon Logistics

If you have a honeymoon planned, check in with the flight times to make sure nothing has gone awry (caused by weather or other factors). Confirm any hotel reservations or Airbnb bookings, as well as other activities and dinners you have planned when you arrive at your honeymoon destination. Make sure to pre-pack for your honeymoon ahead of time, too! You don’t want to be sorting a load of laundry or scrambling to choose your ensembles the night before.

Check on the Rehearsal Dinner

Whether it’s you or a family member who made the rehearsal dinner arrangements, check in with the restaurant or caterer to confirm the details. Make sure everyone knows the arrival time and go over the menu one last time. If you have gifts or floral arrangements, designate someone to drop by and arrange them on the tables.

Drop Off Decorations at the Venue

Before the big day, organize any wedding decorations or items you have in boxes. And the night before your wedding, swing by the venue if they allow so you don’t have to lug a ton there on the day-of.

Prepare Envelopes for Gratuities

You don’t want to be scrounging for cash as the caterers and other vendors pack up. Instead, prepare the gratuity envelopes ahead of time, writing who each is for (so they don’t get mixed up) on the outside of the envelope.

Check in with the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

You and your partner need to check in with all the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Make sure they have their ensembles picked up and prepared, with the accessories or boutonnieres they may need. Give them a breakdown of the day, complete with logistics of where everyone should meet when and the timing.

One great way to do this is to coordinate a brunch or lunch for everyone where you can distribute the bridal party gifts to say thank you for being a part of the big day.

Relax, Hydrate and Breathe

With all of the last-minute errands complete and out of the way, it’s time to relax. Go get a mani-pedi with your bridesmaids, mom and mother-in-law a day or two before the big day. If you really want to treat yourself, head to a spa where you can get a massage, too. Also, during all this running around, make sure to keep a water bottle on you to stay hydrated.

More importantly, make sure you get plenty of sleep. Hit the hay earlier than usual to ensure a good night’s sleep. When the wedding day arrives, don’t let stress get the best of you. Remember to breathe! This is your special day.