The week leading up to your wedding can feel so hectic and sometimes stressful. Like any well-prepared & organized bride, you've probably made a checklist of items to remember the day of your wedding - but what could you be missing?

You've got to make all your final payments & set aside tips, convey timeline to all the wedding party and family members, attend rehearsal and possibly your bachelor/bachelorette, get your dress steamed and ready, manicure and pedicure, while organizing all your wedding day and honeymoon items - all while trying to remember everything you still have to do on the day of your wedding.

If you haven't already grabbed the Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist, you can do that HERE.

Below are 20 details we've seen often forgotten, but can make a huge difference and make you feel so much more prepared when these details, items, or arrangements would come in handy!

1. Wedding Day/Night Bag

When you pack for your honeymoon, pack a small bag of items you'll need just for the night before. That way you're ready to go when it's time, and don't have to lug around your big honeymoon suitcase just for the few items you'll need or want on wedding night and the next morning - like lingerie, toiletries, makeup, hair dryer, and your departure outfit. Don't forget items like Birth Control or medications. Those will need to stay in a climate controlled environment anyway - so think about carrying your toiletries & medications in a small cosmetic bag in your carry-on. Don't forget to also pack your laptop or tablet to keep in touch during your honeymoon, and all the charge cords you'll need for your phone, smart watch, tablet/laptop, toothbrush, etc.

2. Honeymoon Paperwork

Booking confirmation, Plane Tickets or virtual tickets, PASSPORT, negative Covid Test results, travel insurance, and don’t forget the travel authorization forms if the country you're traveling to requires it.

3. Marriage License

In over 12+ years, I've seen a few couples either misplace or forget to bring this! Your officiant and at least 1 or 2 witnesses have to sign to make it official - and your officiant will send it off for you in most cases, and take that off your plate. But you have to remember it!

4. To-Go Box

My couples know I'm a huge advocate for eating when your guests eat - but if you think you won't feel like eating from all the excitement, or you prefer to mingle during this time - Ask your caterer ahead of time to make to-go boxes for you to eat after the celebration is over. If you're drinking or out late, do you think you'll feel hungry by the time you get to your hotel/house the night of your wedding? Just plan ahead, even if you end up not needing it - it's better to be prepared if you think you'll want this!

5. Small Decor/Details

Designate someone to take the smaller ceremony & reception items to your venue the morning of your wedding. Small items that are often forgotten are your champagne flutes, cake knife or cake topper, small signs or favors, ceremony programs or unity symbol, etc.

6. A Beauty Bag

Your makeup artist will create a look to last all day, but sometimes touch-ups are inevitable. Have a small handbag/clutch for extra powder, oil-blotting papers, lipstick, and breath mints.

7. An Emergency Kit

Bobby pins, band-aids, pain meds, deodorant spray, a sewing kit, super glue, safety pins, and fashion tape.

8. Day-Of Director/Coordinator/MC

A wedding planner, venue coordinator, day-of Coordinator/MC, whatever you decide - will take a lot of pressure off you! The can hold on to your emergency kit or beauty bag, run errands and make any phone calls needed for you!

9. Brunch or Lunch

Remember to stock up on snacks & drinks to keep everyone from getting "hangry" or passing out! If it's too much to remember on your day, ask a friend or bridesmaid to arrange fruit, bagels, muffins, or sandwiches. Or have a local restaurant deliver lunch for both your crew getting ready, and your spouse's. Some Grooms & Groomsmen decide to use their morning before photos start to grab lunch somewhere local.

10. Steamer

The last thing you want are bridesmaids in wrinkled dresses coming down the aisle, and in all your photos! Or a crinkled veil!
Most hotels will have a commercial sized steamer, or just bring your own! Either way, make sure you run it and make sure there's no build-up or rust in the system before putting it up to your wedding gown!

11. Comfy Shoes

You may have dreamed of those gorgeous jewel-embellished heels - but they may not be the best dancing shoes. Or they might snag on the bottom of your dress! Have a backup pair just in case, or stash a pair of flats in your beauty bag! (They make some that are super compact and will fit in your purse!) Or have a pair of bridal slippers if it fits your personality! Most likely if you change shoes after the ceremony or portraits, no one can tell!

12. Cute outfit to get ready in

Whether you choose matching PJ's for you and your girls, or matching robes, don't forget to wear something that can easily be taken off without messing up your hair or makeup when it's time to get into your gown. Remember to wear something underneath a robe, in case it slips open during makeup application (happens every time)!
Just an additional tip: If you're wearing a backless or strapless gown, don't wear a bra that will cause impression lines. Those are hard to get rid of after you're dressed.

13. Portable Speaker

Whether you want to relax or keep the mood fun while you're getting ready, music sets the mood! Create a playlist that starts with soothing love songs, and gradually gets more energetic and fun! Be careful not to include songs that will make you anxious (like rap or hard-rock music if it makes you feel on-edge).

14. Printed Timelines

Print out copies of the day's itinerary & photo timeline so that everyone knows what is happening when. This can save a lot of time & misunderstanding. If Emerald + Ivy is your wedding photographer, we'll help you create a schedule for photos to convey to wedding party & family. Knowing the timing of what's happening at what time will put everyone at ease and help the day run smoothly!

15. Extra Undergarments

Trust me, you don't know what might snap or tear, and if you have extras you won't fret one bit! Also make sure you have the proper undergarments for your wedding gown! Try them on at your last gown fitting to make sure they line up correctly. I don't think you'd want your Spanks to show with a sheer back panel on your gown, or the back of your bra not line up with a low gown back, for example. Try them on before the big day to ensure a good fit, and long wear!
Not to mention, make sure those sticky bra cups will hold up to sweat if you're getting married outside during the summer! Consider having cups sewn into your gown instead!

16. Reserved Seating assignments

Don't forget to tell family and special guests that their designated seats are marked as "Reserved" at the ceremony, otherwise they might not know it's intended for them. Same for the Reception! If you don’t have escort cards or seating assignments for your reception, make sure that the VIP’s at your wedding know that the “Reserved” seating is for them!

17. Vendor Tips

Traditionally, it wasn’t common to tip wedding vendors… but as the industry changes and weddings change, and the vendors that you hire go above & beyond - it’s an awesome gesture of gratitude to give a tip. Some vendors, such as the caterer, may charge a gratuity, so double check all your contracts and make sure you don’t end up double-tipping! But for any vendors that you feel went beyond their job description, and made your day perfect or stress-free, consider giving a tip!
Appoint someone to hand out any tips to your wedding professionals at the end of the night. Make sure you trust this person not to misplace any or forget.
Not sure who to tip? Comment below if you’d like a blog post on who & what to tip!

18. Gift Table Attendants

Ask a few groomsmen to be gift table attendees! You will likely accumulate many gifts and cards the day of your wedding. Have one person in charge of keeping an eye on the table throughout the night and appoint a few wedding party members to help load the gifts into your car (or your parents' car if you're taking a limo or rental car) before your big exit.

19. Tux & Dress Duty

Are you renting a suit or Tux for your wedding day? Most likely you're leaving the next day for your honeymoon, and if you don't change before you leave the reception, you'll want someone to come pick up your tux and return it for you the next day. Ask your rental company if there's a grace period for returns, if it's not possible to arrange this.

If you're staying somewhere other than your home on your wedding night, and leaving for your honeymoon the next day - you also don't want to have to figure out what to do with your wedding gown. Arrange for someone to come pick it up for you and drop it off at the company cleaning and/or preserving it for you, or take it to your home for you.

20. Cleanup Crew

Don't make your sweet Mama clean up at the end of the night, after helping with all the planning too! Most Moms I know will jump in and help if something needs to be done, but have a designated group of people ahead of time to step in and clean up, if your coordinator or venue doesn't provide this service for you.
Have a list of what items go where, and what to do with any rental items like linens, tables, chairs, florist rentals, etc.

Most rental companies will deliver and collect their tables and chairs (if not provided by your venue), so ask what they require for pickup. For example, do they need the chairs already stacked?
For linens, you should receive a bag to put all dirty tablecloths and napkins in. Do you have to return this, or do they also pick up?

Phew! If you check these items off your list, you'll be so much more relaxed and stress-free on your wedding day. You'll be able to sip champagne and dance the night away knowing that everything has already been planned for!

The key is always DELEGATION, so keep calm & dance on by surrounding yourself with the best bridal entourage ever.

If you’re planning a wedding, be sure to follow me over on Instagram! I post tips almost daily to help you as you plan your perfect day! And if you'd like a practical, simple checklist with what vendors you actually need, and when you should book them... enter your email below and I'll send you the ultimate wedding planning checklist!

Thanks for reading!