When you’re planning your wedding, your goal (usually) is to have everything done so that you don’t have to do a thing in the week or so before your wedding day. While this sounds like a perfect plan, there are just some things and last minute details that you really can’t do in advance. They have to be put towards the end of your wedding planning checklist.
Don’t stress out by having more things suddenly added to your to-do list. Instead, make sure to think ahead, and plan for time to do these items.
The top 7 wedding planning checklist items you can’t do too far in advance of your wedding day:
1. Break In Your Wedding Shoes
Nothing’s worse than a pair of shoes that pinch and cause blisters. So we break in a new pair of shoes by wearing them around the house so the shoes get used to our feet and vice versa.
This is also important for your wedding shoes, especially if you will be wearing heels but typically wear flats (like me).
Walk around your house or apartment wearing your wedding shoes, so you can get used to them, and make sure to scuff up the bottoms so they aren’t slick (you don’t want to go sliding on your wedding day!) That way your shoes will be more comfortable (and safe) to wear on your wedding day.
2. Finalize Your Guest Count
Since you need an accurate head count, finalizing your guest count just cannot be done until after you’ve received your RSVP cards, (and you’ve contacted those folks who didn’t send in their RSVP card).
3. Confirm Vendor Arrival/Set Up/Delivery Times
Your vendors and venue have other events going on before your wedding day, they won’t be thinking about the logistic for yours until a week or so beforehand.
4. Get Your Marriage License
Rules for getting your marriage license vary from state to state, and county to county. But they are only valid for a certain period of time (in Ohio it’s 60 days from the day it is issued). Some areas may have a waiting period. So be sure to contact your local marriage license bureau/probate court and find out their rules so you can get your marriage license accordingly.
5. Finalize the Seating Chart
Like finalizing your guest count, this cannot be done until you know who will be attending. You can do a little preliminary work beforehand, however, by thinking about who on your guest list would make good table-mates.
6. Drop Off Decor Items At Your Reception Venue
Since they’ve got other events going on before your wedding day, your venue won’t be able to accommodate storing your wedding day items until maybe a day or so before your wedding day.
7. Paperwork for Changing Your Name
This one will have to wait until after your honeymoon, as it takes time your marriage license to get officially filed with county. For official documents, such as your drivers license and passport, you will need to get certified copies of your marriage certificate to make any name changes.
What do you think of this wedding planning checklist? Is there anything you’d add? Let me know in the comments below!
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Looking for fun ideas, or need help with your wedding plans?
Weddings From The Heart can help. Contact me today at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!