Your Last-Minute Wedding-Day Checklist

Wedding Day Checklist

It's crunch time, and you're pretty sure you've got everything in order. But "pretty sure" isn't good enough. So take a look at these to-dos—and be certain you're 100% on top of everything.

1. Check in with your vendors.
"Confirm arrangements with your pros and make sure they all have exact directions and a contact person's cell phone number," advises Julie Pryor of Pryor Events in Los Angeles.

2. Prepare final payments.
"Pay your vendors ahead of time," says Emilie Duncan of Emilie Duncan Event Planning in Columbus, Ohio. "Then you don't have to try to remember what is owed to whom on your wedding day."

3. Have an "insurance policy."
"When your vendors collect your final payments, have each of them sign a note indicating he's received it," advises Samantha Goldberg of Gold Events Planning in New Jersey. "Then if anyone claims he wasn't paid, you will have proof that he was."

4. Create tip envelopes.
"If you plan on tipping anyone, such as the banquet captain, wait staff or DJ, prepare envelopes with their names and insert the correct amounts," says Duncan. "Sealed envelopes are a whole lot safer than a big stack of bills in someone's pocket!"

5. Bring extra cash just in case.
"You might want to give a gratuity to someone who you feel has gone above and beyond the call of duty," says Kathi R. Evans, event coordinator for All the Best Weddings and Celebrations, based in New Jersey.

6. Drop your luggage off early.
"If you'll be staying overnight at a hotel after the reception, bring your bags the night before or have a friend or family member drop them off the morning of the wedding," suggests Sarah Lusardi, wedding planner for NY Engagements, LLC, in New York.

7. Pack for your honeymoon early.
Doing it sooner rather than later is the way to guarantee one less worry," says Pryor. "Also, make sure your passports and travel documents are in order."

8. Pack properly for your destination wedding.
"Make a list of all the important things you need to bring and, if possible, pack them as carry-on," says Cindy Clearwater of SunCelebrations in the Virgin Islands. "You may be able to pick up such necessities as drugstore items at your wedding destination, but don't assume so."

9. Have wedding items in place before the big day.
Lusardi suggests having your wedding favors, toasting glasses, cake knife and server delivered to your reception site a few days beforehand. For anything going to the ceremony site, designate a trusted friend or family member to get everything there before the guests arrive.

10. Put your signature-drink recipes in writing.
"Give a list to your bartender the day before, so he doesn't forget exactly what you want," says Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events in California.

11. Name those tunes.
Songs are often covered or remade by different bands, so double-check with your DJ or band leader that they have the versions you want.

12. Have a discussion with your photographer.
"Leave nothing to chance. Give him or her a list of people you'd like to have photographed together," advises Pryor. "He'll probably get the obvious ones, but if you want a picture of your sorority sisters or everyone who flew in for your wedding or your new husband's coworkers, let your photographer know in advance."

13. Create a wedding-day photography schedule.
Jean Picard, state coordinator for the Association of Bridal Consultants in California, says this is the best way to keep things moving smoothly. "For example," she says, "if the bride, the bridesmaids and the bride's family are being photographed at 3:15 p.m., this means they need to be at the location at 3:00 p.m., fully dressed, coiffed and made up. You don't want a bridesmaid thinking she can pull into the parking lot at 3:15 p.m. with rollers in her hair and her dress in a garment bag!"

14. Create a day-of itinerary.
"Write a detailed schedule for the bridal party and family to be distributed after the rehearsal," suggests Jo Ann S. Woodward, wedding coordinator in Texas. "This lets people know where and when to arrive for photographs and so on."

15. Review printed materials.
"Be sure to carefully check place cards, table numbers, menus and programs for errors several days before your wedding," says Pryor.

16. Make your guests feel loved.
"Have thoughtful welcome gifts with personalized notes waiting for your guests in their hotel rooms," adds Pryor.

17. Line your cards up.
"Arrange all your escort and seating cards in alphabetical order ahead of time," suggests Souza. "Bring an extra copy of the seating arrangements or give it to a bridesmaid and let her be in charge of it."

18. Hydrate your flowers.

"Have a vase of water ready for bouquets when it is hot and dry outside," Goldberg advises. "Certain flowers, like hydrangea and lilies, need water, so if you want your bouquet to live past the ceremony, don't let it get thirsty!" Souza adds, "Order a few extra boutonnieres in case some die or are lost."

19. Figure out how to get your gown to your location.
If you and your bridesmaids expect to dress at your ceremony site, don't end up trying to fit large garment bags into one car along with you and your maids. If you have a plan in place, you'll avoid stress.

20. Get your limo driver's number.
"Don't forget to bring his cell phone number in case you change your exit time or leave something in the car," suggests Isha Foss, wedding consultant and owner of Isha Foss Events, based in Virginia. "At midnight, it won't help to have only the office number."

21. Arrange transportation home for your bridal party.

"Don't strand your attendants at your wedding location!" says Duncan. "If they're planning to arrive via shared transportation, make sure they have a ride at the end of the evening as well."

22. Prepare for rain.
"If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, be sure to have a tent set up and umbrellas on hand for guests just in case," suggests Goldberg.

23. Nominate a gift caretaker.
"Designate in advance someone to take your presents home," suggests Foss. "Give her a house key so she can have everything there for you when you return."

24. Designate a wedding-day supervisor.
"Have a well-organized relative arrive early at the ceremony and reception site to ensure everything is in order," suggests Lusardi.

25. Give your legal documents to someone responsible.
"Appoint someone to keep your signed marriage license until the end of the evening so it doesn't get lost," says Duncan. "Some honeymoon locations will give you special perks if you show proof that you're honeymooners. That license may be all you'll have."

26. Don't go hungry!
"Pre-order breakfast delivery to your hotel room the morning of the wedding," says Souza. "Going through the day on an empty stomach isn't helpful in dealing with all the excitement."

27. Make sure everyone knows when it's over.
"Double-check the end time of your wedding with your venue, as well as the time it must be cleared out, and give this information to all vendors," says Foss. This will prevent unexpected overtime fees.

28. Pack a big-day emergency kit.
Lusardi suggests including bobby pins, hairspray, face powder, lip gloss and lipstick, hemming tape for last-minute repairs, traction pads for heels, a pair of panty hose, an umbrella and a shawl, stain remover, tissues and backup copies of your music choices should something happen to the originals.

Credit: Jennifer Lazarus – Bridal Guide