Wedding Day Checklist

The day of your wedding should mostly be about enjoying some of the most exciting and heartwarming moments of your life. You'll finally get to see months of planning come together and why it was worth every step.

Even though you and your partner should spend most of your wedding day rejoicing, there are some things you'll want to remember to help the occasion run smoothly. This chapter shows you everything you need to prepare for your wedding day from activities to accessories. We'll also talk about wedding day activities for the groomsmen, bridesmaids, guests and children.

What to Do on the Day of the Wedding

Last-Minute Wedding Checklist

How your wedding day unfolds depends on what you and your fiancé want. A traditional formal wedding will have a different timeline than a small, casual ceremony and gathering. To show you what to expect on your wedding day, a traditional wedding generally follows this format:

Getting ready
Pre-ceremony photos
Ceremony
Receiving line
Post-ceremony photos
Cocktail hour
First dance
Father and daughter dance
Mother and son dance
Toasts and speeches
Dinner
Guest dancing
Cake cutting
Bouquet and garter tosses
Farewell

Day-Before-Wedding Checklist

For some couples, the day before the wedding is pretty hectic, and for others, it's a chance to relax. Whether you're busy or not the day before your wedding, a checklist can help you remember the finishing details. Here's what to do the day before your wedding:

Try on your wedding dress, shoes and accessories.
Pack everything you need to bring with you, including your bridal accessories, overnight bag and emergency kit.
If you plan to leave for your honeymoon after the wedding, make sure you're packed and ready to go.
Put everything you need for the reception and ceremony in the car.
Take what you can to the venue.
Confirm times, locations and other details with vendors.
Place tips in envelopes to give to vendors.
Drink water throughout the day to keep hydrated.
Check the weather forecast and be sure you have enough umbrellas, if necessary.
Print a list of vendor contact information to give to a designated person.
Create an itinerary for the wedding day to give to your wedding party at the rehearsal dinner.
Attend the rehearsal dinner.
Pick a person outside of the wedding party to handle vendors' questions, collect gifts and help guests to their tables.
Give the bridal party gifts.
Give the wedding bands to the best man.
Practice your usual skincare routine.
Get to bed early enough for a good night's sleep.

Day-of-Wedding: Last-Minute Checklist

Coordinating Your Wedding on the Day

If you were to peek at a day-of-wedding coordinator's checklist, you'd see tasks such as communicate with vendors, assemble table decor and keep track of the marriage license. Unless you hire a wedding day coordinator, you'll want to ask friends and family to help ensure things run smoothly.

Most tasks should already be taken care of before your wedding day so it can be as stress-free as possible. Just in case you missed something, here are some last-minute things to do on the day of your wedding:

Bring welcome gifts to the hotel.
Check the weather forecast.
Make any final changes to the seating chart if needed.
Ensure you have everything you need for the wedding ceremony and reception.
Bring your list of vendor and bridal party contact information.
Have vendors' tips ready in assigned envelopes.
Make sure you have all of your wedding day attire and accessories.
Save time for hairstyling and makeup.
Don't forget to eat before the ceremony.

Wedding Day Checklist for the Bride

As the bride, you have many accessories to keep track of — among all of the other details to remember. You can stay organized with a wedding day accessories checklist and ensure you don't forget anything. Here's what you might include:

Button-up shirt to wear during hair styling and makeup application
Dress
Veil
Gloves
Undergarments
Garter
Cover-up such as a shawl or jacket
Shoes
Jewelry
Hair accessories
Makeup
Hairstyling products
Mirror
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Mouthwash
Extra pair of contact lenses
Drinking straws to keep lipstick intact
Flip-flops or flats
Something old, new, borrowed and blue

Bridesmaid Checklist for the Wedding Day

A bridesmaid's first job is to arrive on time for pre-wedding activities. Once she's there, her primary role is to support the bride and help her get ready for her big day. As a bridesmaid, your wedding day checklist may include:

Make sure you know your part for the ceremony.
Double-check you have wedding day necessities, such as your dress, shoes and emergency kit.
Bring snacks and water if other arrangements haven't been made.
Help the bride get dressed and look her best.
Do what it takes to help keep the bride calm.
Ensure the bride eats and stays hydrated.
Assist the maid of honor.
Stand by the bride's side at the altar.
If asked, give a speech.
Help guests find their way around the venue and facilitate participation in wedding activities.
Make sure the newlyweds eat.
Help the newlyweds bid farewell and ensure they don't leave anything behind at the venue.

Groomsmen Checklist for the Wedding Day

Like bridesmaids, groomsmen have some jobs to do on the wedding day, such as:

Show up on time the morning of the wedding.
Help the groom stay calm and get dressed.
Be available to help with any last-minute emergencies.
If the groom does not have ushers, help guests to their seats at the ceremony.
Stand at the altar with the groom.
Help guests carry gifts and navigate the venue.
Give a speech if asked.
Dance and encourage guests to dance.
Help carry gifts and other items after the wedding.

Wedding Day Activities for Guests and Children

Some guests are content enjoying food, drinks and conversation and don't need anything else to keep them entertained. Others want access to fun and memorable activities. There are tons of wedding activities to make all of your guests happy, including young ones. Here are some ideas to consider:

Classic lawn games
Creative photo booth
Photo scavenger hunt
Video game or board game stations
Wedding-related table games
Karaoke
Live entertainment
Miniature golf
Sack race
Bouncy castle
Piñata or coloring stations for kids

If you have plenty of delicious food, comfortable places to lounge and lots of fun to be had, you can be sure your guests won't want to leave.
Still worried you can't pull it off? Let us help you design your perfect wedding. Contact Weddings at Baywood, where our team will take care of everything.

How Can I Calm Down Before My Wedding?

It's completely normal to feel anxious before you walk down the aisle. After all that planning, you want the day to be perfect, and you're about to enter a new stage of your life. Luckily, there are simple ways to gather your thoughts and calm your nerves before your wedding. Here are some tips:

Put your trust in others: If you're worried about others taking care of their responsibilities, let go of your fear and embrace trust. Trust that your friends, family and vendors will do their part, and you don't need to worry about their duties. Just be sure to avoid common vendor mistakes.
Have realistic expectations: Understandably, you want your wedding to be perfect, but it's better to set realistic expectations and be ready to accept imperfections. Even if a rain cloud appears out of nowhere, focus on your relationship and why you're getting married. If you do, it'll feel sunny no matter what the sky looks like.
Acknowledge your feelings: Don't be hard on yourself for feeling stressed or deny that you're experiencing anxiety. Instead, acknowledge your nervousness and try to identify what's causing you to feel that way. Once you know why you're feeling nervous, you can replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Take breaks: It's true — you'll be pretty busy on the morning of your wedding. Despite the action, try to take a break here and there. Just a few moments to meditate, walk or focus on your breathing can help you calm your mind.
Start your day right: Even though you may not have much of an appetite on your wedding day, try to eat a healthy breakfast and stay hydrated. Something simple and easy on the stomach, like yogurt with fruit, can be a great way to start your day. Also, avoid drinking too much alcohol before your reception — you'll be glad you did.
Be present: It's very easy to get caught up in different thoughts and feelings on your wedding day, which can be overwhelming. Remind yourself to live in the present moment and savor the scents, sights, sounds, touch and taste of all things wedding-related.
Share your worries: Your friends and family are there to support you, and there's no need to stay silent. Share your concerns or stress with loved ones to find relief and a new perspective.

How Many Days Should I Take Off Before My Wedding?

If possible, try to take the entire week or a few days off before your wedding. This extra time will help you take care of any last-minute tasks and give you a chance to rest up for your big day.

Where Does the Bride Stay the Night Before the Wedding?

Some brides choose to stay in a hotel with the maid of honor and other bridesmaids before their wedding day. But, if you'd rather cuddle with your fiancé at home or spend some time alone, there's nothing wrong with that, either. Wherever you stay, aim to get a good night's rest.

What Should I Eat the Day of the Wedding?

Try to eat a light and healthy breakfast to keep you energized. For example, you might have toast with peanut butter, fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Aim to eat a healthy lunch as well with protein and vegetables. Also, plan to have plenty of snacks handy, like almonds or protein bars, to prevent hunger and keep you fueled between meals. During your wedding celebration, you'll want to eat whenever your guests eat to keep your energy levels up.

Overall, the last thing you want to do is avoid eating. Even if you only have time to take a few bites here and there, make it a priority to nourish your body, so you feel strong and ready to celebrate.

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