Brides plan 67% of their weddings on average, leaving only a small portion of the details for the groom and families to split. That’s probably because most brides have their dream days thought out before even meeting their future spouse.
But even with all that planning, weddings still have a way of going wrong. So many moving parts coming together creates chaos. When brides pay attention to certain details, others can fall through the cracks.
If you’re planning a wedding, you’ll need this list of wedding essentials. Here are ten things you’ll need for your wedding day to go smoothly.
- A Backup Plan
This is especially true if you’re holding your ceremony outside. For a wedding, you can plan pretty much anything, but the weather is one thing you cannot control. So it’s always a good idea to plan another ceremony space if the outdoors doesn’t work out.
If your venue has an indoor area, make sure it’s available to use as a contingency. If there isn’t an indoor space you can use, large event tents are a great option to house your ceremony and reception.
- A Day-Of Schedule
You put so much work into your wedding; make sure it goes the way you planned it. Not having a day-of schedule can cause some wedding chaos. One event running late can delay the entire rest of the day.
It’s unnecessary to run your wedding down to the minute, but having approximate times will help keep the day on track. Be sure to consult your vendors like hair and makeup, DJ or band, and the venue.
Share the schedule with them all, so they can better plan their parts.
- Wedding Emergency Kit
All weddings go wrong in some way. Whether the ceremony starts late, the floral arrangements aren’t right, or an uncle you barely know shows up with a date that didn’t RSVP. It’s the nature of weddings; the day has to hit a snag.
For getting ready, both the bride and groom should have an emergency kit for quick fixes before the wedding. These things needed for the bride will come in handy when you least expect it, and an emergency kit is easy and inexpensive to DIY.
Here are some common emergency kit items:
- Deodorant
- Blotting papers
- Mini mirror
- Comb or brush
- Hair spray and dry shampoo
- Neutral or clear nail polish
- Stain remover
- Hair ties and bobby pins
- Extra earring backs
- Pain reliever and antacid
- Hem and fashion tape
- Safety pins
- Mini sewing kit
- Floss, mints, or gum
- Tampons and pads
- Bandages
- Hand sanitizer and lotion
Of course, you can add more, and you don’t have to use everything. But it’s always better safe than sorry.
- A Comfortable Pair of Shoes
Usually, fashion and comfort don’t go hand in hand. So the chances of wearing an uncomfortable pair of heels are pretty high. Though they look great in photos, they’re not the best for dancing or socializing the night away.
It’s worth it to bring a second, more comfortable pair of shoes to the wedding to have them. You may not even change into them, but if you do, you’ll be happy you thought ahead.
- Idea of Photos You Want
You may not think this is essential, but it’s one of the top wedding needs. A list of photo ideas will help keep your day on track and take some weight off your photographer’s shoulders. You don’t need to have an itemized list of every shot.
But it would help if you had a general idea of the photos you want to take and the style you want them to be. Have a list of people or groups that you want formal pictures of.
Letting your photographer know who and what should be photographed will make their job easier and ensure you’re satisfied.
- Groom and Groomsmen Details
With all the focus on the bride’s dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, and every little wedding details, the men sometimes fall under the radar. Things needed for the groom are essential too. Don’t stop at making sure they all have the right suit and tie color.
A wedding shaving kit, their own emergency kit, wedding lapel pins, and a list of responsibilities are all good ideas for details your groom and groomsmen might need on your wedding day.
- A Set-Up and Tear Down Plan
Every venue is different, and individually, the venues decide what they’re responsible for. Venues will also differ in time allotments. This means there may be restrictions on when you can start decorating and who from the venue will help.
Don’t assume your venue will do everything, so communicate with them about their policies. From there, make a plan of who on your end will bring what decorations, who will take them down at the end of the night, and what car they’re going home in.
Also make a plan of who will set up up the decor, you or the venue, or both.
- Food for Before the Meal
It’s such a busy day and there’s so much to think about, this may just slip your mind. You may think you will remember. But between getting ready and setting up the venue, hours can go past before you realize.
So plan accordingly and prepare to eat while getting ready and before you walk down the aisle. This way, you won’t have gone hours without food.
- Meals for Your Vendors
When giving your final headcount to your caterer, you may have just included your guests, but you’re going to need a few more than that. Not for people who show up without an RSVP but for your vendors.
Your photographer, videographer, wedding coordinator, and DJ or band are going to get hungry. And just because they’re working doesn’t mean they shouldn’t eat. So thank your vendors by providing them with a meal.
- Time to Take It All In
This might be the most essential thing of all. Your wedding day can pass in the blink of an eye. It goes even faster when you’re coordinating all the little details.
Throughout the day, take a step back and take it all in. Take a moment to remember your wedding party getting ready with you and appreciate your family’s smiles. Marvel at the venue and how good your partner looks.
And when you’re up on the aisle, take a breath and look around. Be in the moment and take it all in. Then get married.
The Definitive Wedding Essentials Checklist
Planning a wedding is all about the little details. But in between decisions for flowers, apparel, food, and decor, some things can slip through the cracks. You might not consider something a must until you need the day of.
These wedding essentials will make your day run much smoother. Planning for them ahead of time will ensure that you have them ready to go for the big day. In the moment, you’re going to be happy you checked these items off your list.
Did you find this article helpful? Share it with a bride, save it for the future, and check out more lifestyle articles.
Further reading:
- Check out how to come up with a memorable Playlist for Your Wedding.
- Read about why people choose to get married.
- Read about research findings on marriage.
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