Bridal Reminders.
Just a few reminders to polish up leading to your Wedding Day!
A Few Tips for my Brides to be.
You have done a fantastic job and have been a great team player in planning your wedding. Let’s polish up a few things before I see you walk down the aisle…
Create a Packing list.
Creating a customized “Packing List” is very helpful as sometimes, we do not realize what we need until we actually write things down. Some of these things are always forgotten but always important to have are: Marriage license, wedding bands, pain relievers, allergy meds, antidiarrheals, sewing kits, back up shoes, bridal details (Bridal jewelry, accessories, heirloom sets, shoes, perfumes, vow books invitation suites… etc.)
Creating a flat lay of these special items will remind you of what can be missing.
Prepare a Bridal Box where you have all your decors in one place. Label them and include instructions on where you want to place them. (i.e card box, guest books, pen, sanitizers, photos, other memory items)
Pack an Emergency Bridal Kit (i.e tampons, pain killers, touch up makeup kits)
As your planner, I make sure I send these things to you as a reminder but it is always good for you to add a few more things that are customized just for you.
Submit your shot list.
Unless you are comfortable with your photographer’s default shot list. It’s always a good idea to have a specific shot list that you can share with them so they have an idea of the important shots that you would like to keep and look back on to.
Having a shot list prepared would also help with a seamless timeline.
Delegating people to gather a specific group on your shot list would help with a seamless timeline. As your planner, I’ll be happy to coordinate with one or two designated persons who can gather groups for us. (ex. Mary will gather Bride’s side of the family while John can gather Groom’s side of the family)
Confirm your Vendors.
Confirming all your vendors’ presence is very important. As your planner, it is my role to make sure all our vendors will be present on your day. I will be sending a brief email confirming their presence and will request for their confirmation. All the important details will be sent to them such as:
Wedding Details: which includes Venue address and brief wedding timeline.
Vendor Version timelines: a detailed version timeline to confirm their arrivals and roles on your wedding.
Mood Board: to provide them a brief idea such as the vibe and design or simply how beautiful your wedding will be.
Checking in with your Bridal Party.
Constant Communication with your Bridal Party on the last few days before your Wedding Day is crucial. Making sure they are doing well and that they are safe and healthy especially during these times are the things I always recommend my brides to do. Reach out to your bridesmaids and see if their outfits are all altered/ hemmed, shoes are comfy and ready to go! Same goes to your Groomsmen, if tuxes are well fitted and everything is set.
Confirm Room Blocks & Hotel Bookings.
The worst thing that can happen is to not have a room to stay in the night before the wedding as well as the night after your wedding. This will definitely set the tone which may cause a huge stress not only to you as a couple but to your bridal party and guests as well. Having a nice and comfortable place to stay where you can relax before your big day can make or break your day. Confirming these bookings a week or two before your Wedding Day is highly recommended.
Bridal Look Test Drive.
Unless you are saving this moment on the day of your wedding, setting a time aside to test drive your final look with your Maid of Honor or one of your Bridesmaids is a great idea. Making sure the zippers are working properly and nothing is caught as sometimes, these things happen unexpectedly. Try your dress with your shoes on as you practice walking down the aisle to make sure you feel good and comfortable with the whole look.
Delegation.
Make a list of people who will be responsible of taking care of your belongings after your wedding. As your wedding planner, my team and I are responsible with reaching out to the people who will be taking care of your valuables and belongings such as: Marriage License, Gifts/ Cards, Wedding Day Decors, etc.
Confirm your transportation.
Whether you are planning on hiring a limo driver or driving on your own, confirming this is one of the most important things we have to remember. If you are driving your own personal vehicle, make sure that your car is in good condition whether it is old or new (i.e tires & breaks are working fine, oil is changed, gas are sufficient, fully charged… etc.)
Toasts/ Speeches.
Whether you are opting on toasts or assigning some special people on doing some speeches, set aside a time for this on your timeline. It is always a good idea to keep all your speeches/ toasts altogether in one block of time either before your first course or after your second course. In doing so, this will help your vendors/ caterer coordinate when food should be served to maintain a certain food temperature. This will also allow everyone to sit down and enjoy a nice meal with no interruption.
Writing Down
”Thank You” notes.
This is probably one of the things couples seem to forget due to their already busy schedule, but a simple “Thank You” to special people who has been a meaningful part of your wedding planning journey comes a long way. Whether it’s a letter to your parents, your bridesmaid or a wedding vendor- a simple act of appreciation would not only make someone’s day but also yours as you take this moment to sit down and write this special note.
Polishing up your Timeline.
We may have already done this at this point, but it is never too much to polish this if your guts tell you to do so. Finalizing a timeline until you are completely satisfied with it is a great idea! However, multiple changes may confuse vendors (and even you!) if changed at a very last minute.
Rehearsal Dinner.
Now that you have reached this moment, you are one step away from your BIG day. So, enjoy it with the most meaningful people in your lives such as your Bridal Party, your family and friends. One most important thing that I can suggest as your planner is, try your best to avoid foods or beverage that will make you sick. If you are trying something you have never tried before (i.e exotic food, dairy, shellfish.. etc.) or anything that will possibly upset your stomach- DON’T do it!
Remember, you have one more day (for the most part) to get better to make it to your wedding day so avoid going to the emergency room for this or make multiple trips to the bathroom. Same goes with drinks. If you are opting to drink some alcohol, do it in moderation- advice your wedding party to do so as well as “hangover” should be the last thing you would want to deal with on your Wedding Day.
Check in with your planner.
We’ve made this far and we will make sure EVERYTHING will run seamlessly on your Wedding Day. As your planner, it is my role to make sure my couples are feeling perfectly fine days before their wedding.
As I may have already mentioned, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed weeks to days before your wedding as things start to move pretty quickly around this time. Setting up a meeting with me, whether it’s for a quick chat or timeline check is completely fine to make sure we get to check all the boxes and most importantly to provide my couples a moral support!
Clearing your mind.
The last few days before your wedding can be a bit overwhelming as this is a normal feeling that Brides (even grooms) go through. We seem to forget to breathe and clear our minds during this time.
Don’t forget to take a break, eat healthy meals and get enough sleep. Have a nice mani/ pedi or spa day with your favorite people, lunch or dinner date with your fiance, a walk in a park or watching a favorite movie. Doing these simple steps are the keys to clear your mind, body and soul ready for your special day.
“I am truly honored to be a part of your wedding planning journey. Wishing you nothing but the BEST on your wedding day!”
— Katrina
K. Saw Weddings