8 Important To-Dos For the Week of Your Wedding (That Are Easy to Forget!)

You’re a week away from saying “I do”—and trust us, we know you’re so ready to. But with seven days to go, there are a few seemingly small but important tasks that need to be checked off your list so they don’t fall through the cracks. You don’t want to be at the altar ready for your groom to break the glass and then realize that there’s no glass, right?

1. Overcommunicate with your vendors.

To make sure everyone is on the same page (so they don’t need to call you or your point people on the day-of!) call every single wedding vendor and confirm, then re-confirm each arrangement you have with them, including, but not limited to:

• Giving reception site/caterer final guest head count. Include vendors, such as the photographer or band members, who will expect a meal. Ask how many extra plates the caterer will prepare.
• Supplying location manager with a list of vendor requests such as a table for DJ or setup space needed by florist.
• Giving ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.
• Calling the limousine- or car-rental company for pickup times and locations.

2. Designate your various point people.

You don’t want your caterer calling you while you’re getting your makeup done on the day-of! To avoid that, designate point people for every situation, including:

• Ceremony items: If you’re having a unity candle, combining sand or breaking a glass during the ceremony, have one of your attendants make sure all items are at the altar ahead of time.
• Money: Write checks and/or talk to wedding hosts (usually your parents) about any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.
• Reception questions: Introduce your reception site manager to your consultant or maid of honor for questions or problems during the reception.
• Miscellaneous questions: Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding—usually your maid-of-honor or a bridesmaid.

3. Take the time to pack properly.

For the most important day of your life, this is going to be the one occasion where you probably do care what’s in your suitcase. Whether you’re getting married five minutes down the street or you’re leaving for your honeymoon a day after the reception, taking the time to pack thoughtfully for each event that week is crucial. (We know all too well what happens when you wake up at 5 a.m. to pack with bleary eyes! Mismatched bathing suits and missing deodorant, anyone?) Do you have your beauty emergency kit? Your bikinis and lingerie that was gifted to you at your shower? Your day-of present and note to your partner? Knowing that you have everything you need will definitely minimize any stress.

Your fingers will likely be texting all week, which makes it even more crucial to keep your nails fresh! Make any minor beauty appointments you want done that week—think: a mani/pedi, waxing, massage, blowout and facial. This goes for your groom too—make sure his hair is trimmed and face is shaved (if that’s the look he’s after!). Any experimental beauty treatments (like facial peels, lasering, hair coloring and drastic cuts) should be done a few months in advance, just in case they don’t turn out how you wanted.

5. Arrange help for any guests who may need it.

If you have any ill or elderly guests coming to your wedding, it will be meaningful for them to know that you’re so glad they can attend. Show your love by making sure they have proper transportation to and from the airport and your wedding events and that they have a comfortable place to stay. You can ask family members, friends, or attendants to help with any pick-ups and drop-offs.

6. Hand these items off.

Getting married also means having a lot of important things to distribute among your family and attendants.

• Give your marriage license to your officiant.
• Present attendants with gifts at the rehearsal dinner.
• Present parents and each other with gifts.
• Give wedding bands to the best man and the maid of honor to hold during the ceremony.
• Give the best man the officiant’s fee envelope, to be handed off after the ceremony.
• Hand off place cards, table cards, menus, favors, and any other items for setting the tables to the caterer and/or reception site manager.

7. Have your wedding attire ready to go.

Make arrangements at your bridal salon or local cleaners to have your wedding dress steamed—and don’t try it on after it’s been steamed, or else it’ll wrinkle again. Store it in the garment bag from the bridal salon, and hang it in a closet in a smoke-free and pet-free room. (You can lift the skirt out of the bag—just make sure to put a clean sheet on the ground below it first.) Also make your groom and his groomsmen’s tuxes get picked up by an attendant.

8. If you’re having welcome baskets, make sure they get delivered.

Whether it’s you or an attendant, deliver your welcome baskets for guests to the hotel concierge. Make a list of names, delivery instructions and any additional information you have to prevent any mix-ups.