The countdown is on, and your big day is fast approaching! You’ll soon be walking down the aisle and saying “I do” to the love of your life. But before you can do that, you have to finalize all the final wedding details. Relieve some of the stress of final preparations by using our last minute checklist so you can get plenty of beauty sleep before your wedding day!
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Keep your wedding party on track and put together an itinerary for you and your attendants
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Your big day will be so much less stressful if you craft a schedule for you and your attendants. Record what you need to do and when you need to have it done. Just make sure to give yourself a bit of cushion in case of last minute mishaps!
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Get the limbo/party bus driver’s number and share it with the bridal party
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Avoid any transportation errors by getting your driver’s cell phone number as soon as you can, and distribute it to your entire party. And better yet, give your maid of honor and best man’s numbers to the driver along with printed directions for each stop. These extra precautions should ensure that you arrive on time and stick to that itinerary mentioned above.
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Arrange post wedding transportation for you and your bridal party
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Give your bridal party the freedom to party hard by arranging rides after the reception. Make sure they get back to their homes or hotel rooms safe and sound by delegating a responsible friend to call an Uber at the end of the night.
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Confirm all your beauty appointments
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Your hair, nail, and makeup appointments should be booked plenty of time in advance to ensure that you get the time/date/stylist you prefer. In addition, you should call to confirm all the details about a week before the ceremony.
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Finalize and practice your vows for the ceremony and any speeches planned for the reception
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Start writing and practicing your vows EARLY! You can practice together or keep them a surprise, but no matter what, practice will help with nerves. Remember that it’s common for the wedding couple to give a little thank you speech during the reception. Plan out what you’re going to say before so it doesn’t slip your mind or you don’t choke on your words.
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Settle last minute details with venue, vendors, photographers, videographers, and DJ
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It never hurts to double check! Even though you’ve booked your venue and vendor, you should still call to confirm time, date, location, setup, and take down about a week in advance. Similarly, you should also contact your photographer, videographer, and DJ and give them DO/DON’T lists. For example, you want to make sure your photographer knows all the shots that must be taken, your videographer doesn’t accidentally forget to put your dad in the entire wedding video, and your DJ knows which songs you love and which songs you hate.
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Create an emergency kit
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On a day as important as your wedding, know that you’re bound to encounter some last minute emergencies. Be prepared for anything that might happen by creating a big day emergency. A few things you might want to include are: aspirin, band-aids, bobby pins, ponytail holders, dental floss, extra earring backs, extra pantyhose, mini sewing kit, safety pins, small folding scissors, spot remover, static spray, and tissues.
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Pack for your honeymoon and make sure all travel documents are in order
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If you’re leaving for your honeymoon shortly after the reception (or even a few days after), pack beforehand. You’re going to be exhausted after the big event, trust us. When packing, make sure to put all important documents (plane tickets, passports, etc.) in an obvious place so you don’t forget them. This tip will also give you time to start working on thank you cards or spend time with family while they’re still in town.
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Pick up the rings and marriage license
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Most brides have their wedding bands soldered to their engagement rings sometime before the wedding. Don’t forget to pick them up a few days before the ceremony! Also, your officiant must have your marriage license to officially perform the ceremony. (Pro tip: If you’re changing your last name, remember to sign your name that way on the marriage certificate; otherwise you won’t actually be married!)
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Relax!
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You’ve been dreaming about your wedding day since you were a little girl, and it will be perfect no matter what happens. If you’re feeling too stressed, just look down at your left hand. Your perfect engagement ring will always melt the nerves away.
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