You're officially in the home stretch, and it's time to tackle those last-minute wedding to-dos like the boss you are. Don't worry; it's not a mission impossible. We're here with a handy guide to help you check off those vital tasks, leaving you free to focus on the fun stuff (like practicing your dance moves and sipping champagne).
Four Weeks to Go
Wedding Party
Share important wedding and rehearsal information with your wedding party, including timeline, directions, duties, etc.
Break in wedding day shoes by wearing them around the house.
Rings
Determine who will bring wedding bands to the ceremony, keeping in mind that your photographer may want to take photos of them beforehand.
Stationery
Finalise, order or print reception stationery (ceremony programs, menus, table names/numbers, seating chart, place cards, etc).
Ceremony
Finish writing your vows
Confirm witnesses for the marriage license.
Reconfirm and share all final details with your officiant, including your final ceremony outline, processional and recessional details, final reading selections, and any personalised additions.
Catering
Notify caterer of your final guest count and reconfirm menu, special dietary needs, set-up, seating details, and timeline. Don't forget your vendor meals also.
Cake/DESSERT
Adjust your cake and/or dessert order for your head count and reconfirm delivery time and location with your baker.
Bar & Beverages
If you're providing your own beverages for the wedding, confirm quantities and shopping list based on final guest count.
Purchase or order beverages and any necessary supplies your bartender team is not providing (ice, garnishes, bar tools, etc).
Transport
Confirm final headcount for guest transportation and reconfirm schedule and pick up location details with all transport providers.
Florals
Adjust & finalise the floral order pending final guest count, and confirm delivery, set-up times and locations.
If you plan to preserve your bouquet, make the necessary arrangements.
Travel & Accommodations
Reconfirm all travel and hotel room reservations.
Three Weeks to Go
Hair & Makeup
Schedule additional beauty appointments (mani/pedi, massage, etc.) as needed for the week prior to your wedding.
Venue/s
Provide timeline, final layout, final guest count & vendor list to your venue/s, as needed.
Ceremony
Purchase a suitable pen for certificate signing, if your officiant doesn’t provide one.
Gifts
Designate a trusted person to be responsible for gifts and cards at the end of the reception.
Cake
Assign a designated person to collect your cake topper and take home any leftover cake at the end of the wedding.
Bar & Beverages
If you are providing your own beverages, designate someone to drop off all beverages to the reception site the day before the wedding, and load into the coolroom.
Assign designated person to take home any leftovers. Be sure to add plastic tubs or eskies to your packing list to transport any leftovers.
Rentals & Decor
Update and finalise your hire orders based on your final guest count and ask your suppliers to send an updated invoice with the balance owing. There’s no need to pay for 100 napkins if you have 87 guests confirmed.
Florals
Decide what to do with flowers at the end of the reception.
If you’re renting vases or other items from your florist, make a plan for the collection and return of any hire items.
Personal To-Do’s
Make time to relax. Schedule some alone or couple time - no wedding tasks allowed. Give yourself a day to read a book, go to the beach, grab happy hour with the girls, whatever helps you feel calm and happy.
Two Weeks to Go
Guest List
Finalise seating plan for the reception.
Wedding Party
Organise brunch or grazing platters for both sides of the wedding party to enjoy while getting ready in the morning.
Confirm bridesmaids have dresses, shoes, and accessories.
bride’s Attire
Have your final dress fitting. Take your shoes, lingerie, and accessories so you can try it all on and verify that everything is picture-perfect.
Groom’s Attire
Get a haircut, if needed.
Timeline
Share finalised timeline and details with all vendors.
Prepare your speeches for the wedding reception.
ceremony
Appoint someone responsible to take care of your signed marriage certificate until the end of the evening, so it doesn't get lost.
Transport
Arrange transportation home for your wedding party. If they're planning to arrive via shared transport (ie your wedding cars), make sure they have a ride at the end of the evening as well.
Rentals & Decor
Organise your set-up and pack-down schedule with the venue if you are doing this yourselves. Make sure you have a plan for when it will be done, who will be helping you with it, and what has to be taken to the venue. We feel a wedding planner is worth the investment just for this service alone, especially if you can’t access your venue until the day-of. But if you can’t or don’t want to hire a planner, take some time now to organise the details of what has to be done and make sure you get some help. This is one of the jobs that we see crush couples in the last few days of their wedding planning if they decide to go it alone.
One Week to Go
Wedding Party
Confirm groomsmen have picked up their formal wear and have everything they need (socks, shoes, etc.).
Bride’s Attire
Pick up your wedding gown and learn how to bustle the train. Have a bridesmaid with you so they can learn too and be able to help you on the day.
Pick up your veil and/or headpiece, if you haven't already.
Have your dress pressed or steamed as needed.
Gather together all of your personal items for the wedding day (gown, veil, shoes, jewellery, lingerie, etc.). Keep them together and ready to go to your 'getting ready' venue, so that nothing is forgotten and there's no last-minute rush to find things.
Groom’s Attire
Pick up your suit or tuxedo and try it on to assure the perfect fit, post-alterations.
Venue/s
For outdoor weddings begin to watch the weather forecast and activate inclement weather plan if necessary.
Officiant
If you wrote your own vows, provide a copy to the officiant.
Stationery
Pick up reception stationery and be sure that all place cards/personalised menus are arranged in seated order by table.
Entertainment
Reconfirm all details, including date, location, timeline, etc. with your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception entertainment.
Rings
Have your engagement ring cleaned, just before the wedding.
Photography
Reconfirm your photographer and provide them your timeline, locations, family photo list & additional detail information.
CINEMA
Reconfirm your cinematographer and provide them your timeline, locations, and other detail information as needed.
Travel & Accommodations
Pack an overnight bag for the wedding night and determine how it will get to the hotel - wearing your husband’s clothes to check-out from your hotel post-wedding will take quite some time to become a funny story. Ask me how I know!
Personal To-Do’s
Pack a wedding day emergency kit for the unexpected - suggestions for items to include are bobby pins, hairspray, lipstick, hemming tape for last-minute repairs, heel protectors for shoes, an umbrella, stain remover, and tissues. if you have a wedding planner they should have their own kit on hand for you.
Day Before
Wedding Party
Ceremony Rehearsal
Bar & Beverages
Have beverages delivered to the reception site and loaded into the coolroom. All drinks (except for red wine of course) must be refrigerated a minimum of 24 hours before the wedding, in order to have time to chill down sufficiently.
Give someone responsible an envelope of cash in case drinks start to run out during the reception, and you need to make a run to the bottle shop.
Travel & Accommodations
If you'll be staying overnight at a hotel after the reception, bring your bags the night before or have a friend drop them off the morning of the wedding.
We hope this guide has not only lightened your load but also filled you with confidence as you approach your big day. Remember, if you ever find yourself in need of a helping hand or want to turn your wedding dreams into reality without breaking a sweat, Sparrow Weddings & Events is here for you! Visit our Services Page to learn how we can make your wedding day truly magical.
Wishing you a love-filled, stress-free journey to 'I do' and a lifetime of happiness!
