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Tell everyone providing you services,
exactly what your requirements are. Put everything in writing and make
sure your vendors sign the agreement. Be sure to specify items you don’t
want as well (i.e., racy rap songs, too many posed photos, onion dip,
whatever else you don’t want).
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Two or three days before the wedding, call
all your vendors and verify your bookings. Have them read back to you
the time, date, and location of the wedding as they have it noted as well as
the services or items they’ll be providing. That way, you’ll know
if they have the right information. Make sure they know how to get to the
site. It’s a good idea to send a reminder letter as well. Bring your
list of phone numbers so someone can make a phone call if they don’t show
up.
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Avoid asking friends or family to provide
food, flowers, or official photography. It will create an awkward
situation if you’re not pleased with the results. It’s easier to expect
perfection from someone being paid rather than a favorite uncle whose
feelings may be hurt if you complain about his photography. He probably also
doesn’t have a spare camera to bring along if his breaks or an assistant
to fill in if he catches the flu and can’t make it.
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Never let a friend serve as a bartender.
He may pour too much liquor which could quickly deplete a limited
supply, run up the bill, or get guests too drunk. He might also get drunk,
or leave the bar unattended to socialize.
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Avoid heavy cake tops or too many tiers.
These can make the cake unstable.
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Protect your bridal gown. Never iron
it or attempt any kind of touch up. If it is badly wrinkled, contact
the bridal shop for pressing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke after putting the
gown on. Do not apply makeup and keep away from pets. If you’re traveling
to the wedding in your gown, avoid exiting the car near dirt or bushes.
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When you get your gown, practice putting it
on, walking, turning, and moving like you will during the ceremony.
Get a feel for how the dress moves and how much extra time you’ll need to
handle the train.
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Avoid having children under age three in the
wedding party. If you do, let one of the attendants walk with the
child or pair them with an older child.
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Secure fake rings to the ring pillow so they
won’t fall off. Have the Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man carry the real
ones.
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Make sure someone knows of any plans to use
alternate entrances to the ceremony (side doors, back doors) so they won’t
be locked out for the ceremony.
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Accompany the bridesmaids to their fittings
to make sure the dresses are not altered to be too short, too loose, or too
tight.
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Advise out of town members of the wedding
party to arrive early on the day before the wedding so you don’t run the
risk of missing or delaying the rehearsal.
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Have attendants arrive early to get dressed
so there is no delay when the photographer arrives and no worry about making
the wedding on time.
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Have a spare tape recorder, batteries, and
extra tape in case the one you’re planning to use to record the vows acts
up.
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Get your marriage license in advance of the
ceremony and have it with you on the wedding day. You don’t want to
discover on your wedding day that you aren’t licensed to be married!
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Have someone assigned to take care of the last
minute details and ensure the bridal party is dressed and ready to go.
She can answer the phone, go on errands, and make sure everyone has
something to eat before the wedding.
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Practice driving the route to the ceremony
at the time of day and day of week to check out traffic patterns. That way
you’ll know how much time you’ll need to get to the site.
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Bring along an emergency
bag. Include a needle and thread, safety pins, nail polish, hairpins,
and extra panty hose. Also tuck in a couple of cookies and some hard candy
in case someone needs a quick pickup.
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Try not to stay up late the night before the
wedding. Avoid drinking too much alcohol or caffeine so you’ll be at your
best all day.
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If something goes wrong, don’t panic.
You’ll probably be the only one who notices that the ribbons in the
bridesmaid’s bouquets are the wrong color. Don’t let little things ruin
your day. Accept the idea that your wedding may not (and in fact, probably
will not) go as planned. Always keep your sense of humor!
