It’s almost here—the day you’ve been planning for months! All you’re thinking about is the final countdown to your wedding, and you’re ready for the festivities to begin. But the final week isn’t over yet—you still have a few very important last-minute tasks to check off your list! The earlier you tackle these tasks, the sooner you can kick your feet up and enjoy every second of your wedding celebrations.
Don’t have a final-week checklist? We put one together for you!
Gather your squad
First things first: you’ll need all the support you can get during this home stretch. Whether it’s a wedding planner, day-of coordinator, or your bridesmaids, have a final meeting with them to talk through any last-minute details and delegate tasks as needed. This helps you line up the rest of your to-do list leading up to the big day—everything we’re about to tell you here.
Check on the marriage license
While one of the most important tasks, securing your marriage license is easy to overlook in the frenzy of wedding planning. Some states require a minimum “waiting period” between the time you pick up your marriage license and the actual wedding, anything from 24 hours to more than 72 hours. Once you get it, make sure it’s signed correctly, and assign someone to keep track of it.
Rein-in last-minute RSVPs
Now is the time to reach out to the last-minute stragglers who haven’t responded to your invite so you have a final headcount before you have your last check-in with your vendors. Once you’ve reigned in most or all of the RSVPs, finalize the seating chart and send it to those who need it, like your wedding planner, coordinator, caterer, and photographer.
Check-in with your vendors
Whether it’s a quick email or phone call, or an in-person meeting, follow-up with your vendors as your big day gets closer and confirm he or she has everything they need from you in the days before your wedding. Go over any last-minute details or questions, such as entree selections, final headcount, final shot list for the photographer, and your finalized playlist for the DJ. Check the weather forecast regularly and communicate with your vendor if it’s looking like you may need a back-up plan, so make sure you have one!
Bonus tip: Prepare payments and gratuities
Check vendor contracts for payment deadlines and prepare any final payments. While you’re at it, get your vendor gratuities in order—put cash into marked envelopes so you’re not scrambling around for cash the night of the wedding.
Organize boxes of all the little things
Pack-up the décor—things like the guest book, cake knife and topper, toasting glasses, and any other trinkets—and assign someone to be in charge of getting them to the right place. See if your venue will allow early drop-off so you can avoid the hassle of transporting boxes the day-of.
Check-in with bridesmaids and groomsmen
Have one more check-in with the whole bridal party—make sure they’ve picked up their attire and are up to speed with all wedding day logistics, like knowing when/where to meet the day-of. Go over any changes in schedule or details and answer last-minute questions.
Keep your beauty routine simple
The week before your big day isn’t the time to try unfamiliar, cutting-edge beauty treatments—just stick to the basics. Facials, waxing, teeth whitening, and lash extensions should be taken care of at least one week before the wedding to prevent any bad reactions or mishaps, while services like airbrush tans and manicures and pedicures can be done two or three days prior. At some point early in the week, grooms should consider booking a hot shave and a haircut, and brides should schedule a trial run of their wedding day hairstyle.
Try your look from head-to-toe
Bride, you’ve been waiting for the day you can slip into your wedding dress, so give yourself a sneak peek by trying on the full ensemble! Put on your jewelry, shoes, and any other accessories to make sure everything looks and feels comfortable. This is also your chance to make sure the dress fits as it should without any flaws, like broken zippers or loose buttons.
Pack your bags
You’ll need more than your beautiful wedding ensemble, so pack for the whole weekend of festivities. This means things like additional changes of clothes, pajamas, medications, etc. An emergency kit is a must-have; You’ll want to include things like Band-Aids, a nail file, hair spray, hairpins, a fine-tooth comb, pain killers, tampons, a small sewing kit, and extra makeup.
Take care of yourself
You’re nearing the end of the wedding planning chaos, so relax, breathe, and treat yourself! Exercise, get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, get a massage, read a book—do whatever you can to feel healthy and refreshed for your big day!
Don’t let the chaos of the final countdown throw you for a loop. Remember—you’re in the home stretch, so be flexible and go with the flow. Use this checklist to stay on top of things and keep your end goal in mind: getting married! Ready to say yes to the perfect wedding look? Connect with our bridal stylists now at The Dress Shop!