Trubridal Wedding Blog

The month leading up to your wedding day is a busy one with lots of things to do. To make sure you don’t forget anything important, check out this list of 30 tasks you need to do in the 30 days before your I Dos.

1. Get a final head count. It’s a sad fact of life that many people simply don’t RSVP–even to a major event like a wedding. Once your deadline has passed, it’s time to start calling or emailing those people who haven’t sent back their response cards. You can ask your parents and maid of honor to help you out if it’s a large list.

2. Set your final fitting. Put those final touches on your wedding gown before the big day.

3. Decide on hair and makeup. You should have already booked your beauty pros, so it’s time to nail down how you’ll wear your hair and makeup when you walk down the aisle.

4. Make spa appointments. Book your mani and pedi–as well as any waxing, massage, etc.–appointments to make sure you get the time you want.

5. Get your marriage license. In many states, the license is only valid for a set amount of time. Check with your local town hall to find out what the requirements are where you’re getting hitched.

6. Meet with vendors. About two weeks before the big day, you’ll want to call all of your vendors to make sure they’re set for the wedding. Go over what time they need to arrive, what they’ll be doing, etc. If you have a wedding planner, you can delegate this task to her.

7. Create a wedding day timeline. Set a schedule for the wedding day–when hair and makeup starts, when the photographer should show up, etc.–and share it with your planner, vendors, bridal party, etc. to make sure the day runs smoothly and on time.

8. Pack your emergency kit. Hopefully, nothing will go wrong, but it’s best to be prepared. To find out what you need, check this out.

9. Figure out seating. This is one of the hardest wedding-related tasks, but it’s a necessity. Make it less stressful by looking at these tips.

10. Print out place cards. Once you’ve got the seating under control, you can print out place cards. This is something you can easily DIY if you want.

11. Put together favors. Finalize your favors (if they’re edible, you might want to order them a bit closer to the wedding date) and if they need to be packaged, ask your Bridesmaids for some help.

12. Create a wedding program. This is also something you can easily DIY using an online template and pretty stock paper bought at a craft store.

13. Make welcome baskets. If you have out-of-town guests, putting together welcome baskets for them is a nice touch.

14. Deliver final song list to band or DJ. Create a list of must-have songs for the reception, as well as important dances (first, parent, etc.)

15. Send shot list to photographer. You’ll also want to jot down a list of important shots you want your photographer to capture on the big day.

16. Check in on the groomsmen. Men can sometimes be forgetful, so send out a friendly reminder about sending in their measurements for tuxes, scheduling their fittings and pickup times.

17. Confirm transportation. Go over pickup times and locations for the day.

18. Buy gifts for bridal party. Wrap them and write out thank you cards for everyone participating in your special day.

19.Write a love note to your groom. With all of the business of planning the day, it can be easy to lose sight of why you’re even throwing this wedding. To make sure your groom knows what’s important to you, write him a love note to give him the night before the wedding.

20. Finalize the rehearsal dinner. Your future in-laws might be planning and paying for this, but you’ll still want to check in to make sure it’s going smoothly.

21. Check in on your Bridesmaids. Make sure everyone has their dresses fitted, accessories ready and they know where they have to be ad when.

22. Jot down a few words. Be prepared to say a few words at the rehearsal dinner–it’s a great chance to thank your parents, bridal party and your out-of-town guests.

23. Prep the dress. Have your dress pressed one last time before you put it on.

24. Go over the ceremony with your officiant. Include any important readings or anything you want him to speak about during the vows.

25. Practice your first dance. Whether you’ve taken lessons or not, you should do a run through with your groom before hitting the dance floor. Nervous? Look at these tips to wow your guests.

26. Confirm honeymoon plans. Check up on flights, hotel reservations, excursion plans and anything else honeymoon-related.

27. Make a honeymoon list. Write down everything you want to bring on your honeymoon so you don’t forget anything.

28. Pack. Don’t leave packing for the honeymoon until the last minute–you’ll have so much to do those few days before the wedding. So it’s best to do this in advance.

29. Deliver ceremony extras. The unity candle, programs, extra décor–drop all of this off to the locale a few days before the big day.

30. Take it all in. Try your best to stay stress-free and enjoy these last few weeks and days before you say I Do.

Every couple wants their wedding to be an event to remember for their guests, but there are times when your day can be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Gross food? Too loud music? Getting lost on the way from the ceremony to the reception? While it’s pretty much impossible to make everyone happy (some people just love to gripe), you can easily avoid some of the most common complaint causers by following the no-fail advice from our panel of wedding experts. This will ensure your wedding is a good time for (almost) all.

No AC

No AC in the summer. While you might love the idea of getting hitched in that old church that doesn’t have air conditioning or an outdoor garden with no shade, sitting in the sweltering heat will only make your guests sweaty and miserable. Instead, try to find a compromise that will give you what you want without sacrificing your guests’ comfort, such as having the ceremony in a cool spot and taking photos in the other locations.

Transportation

The venues are too far apart. When your ceremony and reception are being held in two separate locations, be sure you don’t make them too far away. “Anything more than a 30 minute drive is too far for guests to travel–especially if most guests are traveling from out of town to attend the wedding anyway,” says Taryn Blake. “If you can’t find a space that is all-inclusive, try to find two venues within relatively short distance from one another.” If having venues that are far apart is simply unavoidable, provide transportation for guests to get from one place to the other and then back to their cars.

Taking Pics

There’s too much time between events. After the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom and wedding party usually go to a separate location to take photos. The guests should have a designated place to go with food and beverages and entertainment while waiting for the bride and groom to join the reception. “This is the reason behind a cocktail hour, so the guests are fed and entertained while wedding party photos are being taken,” says Kristin Watkins. “Any longer than an hour is too long and your guests will start to get antsy.”

Music

The music is too loud. “For whatever reason bands and DJ’s feel the louder they play the more guests enjoy the party–not true in my opinion,” says wedding planner Shawn A. Rabideau. “The music should be loud enough that guests can dance and have a good time. But also low enough that conversations can be had. Talk with your band or DJ and tell them on a scale of one to ten (ten being the loudest) you want music at a five or six. When the older guests start to leave later in the evening then you can go to a seven or eight. But anything higher is just way too much and unnecessary.”

Cash Bar

There’s no open bar. We know, it can be expensive to offer an open bar, but it’s what guests expect (and want). Save money by serving beer and wine, and then choose two cocktails that the bride and groom love to share with their guests, recommends Tristan Tilma, CEO/Founder of Stagsource. “This will be far cheaper than having an open bar, and give you a chance to share a little more about yourselves with your guests. And chances are not everyone is going to be a huge fan of the two cocktails you choose and thus you’ll save on alcohol!”

Reception Table

Having to sit at the “wrong” table. A young couple sitting at the senior table; exes having to endure having dinner with one another–and their new partners; your parents’ friends seated right near the DJ speakers. These are just a few seating faux pas that annoy guests and cause stress for couples. Tilma recommends using allseated.com to arrange where your guests are going to sit to make sure it becomes a perfect night.

Wedding Food

Bad Food (or not enough).You expect the food you will receive as a guest, and the food ordered by the family, would be tasty. But what happens when the food is unsalted and the fish and meat are cooked to bricks? “You get frustrated and hungry guests, as well as unhappy parents of the bride/groom,” says Preeti Moberg. She suggests having a family member taste test the food before it goes out to the tables. You also need to make sure your venue and caterer has an accurate head count before the wedding day so there is enough food ordered and prepared for the event. The last thing you need is for guests to leave your reception still hungry and looking to make a fast food run on the way home.

Menu

Ignoring special requests or needs. This includes little things like making accommodations for guests with disabilities, accounting for children in the planning, providing ample numbers of highchairs, proper meal options (vegan options or kids’ meals). “More often than not, these are the “little” details that slip through the cracks when planning and are often overlooked, leaving guests feeling marginalized,” says Rob Farrow.

Kids

Kids are running the show. Even if kids are included on the guest list, it’s important to remember this is an adult party, not a kids birthday, says Blake. “I often overhear guests saying kids are taking over the dance floor–and many times, I see their parents doing more, well, parenting, than actually enjoying the night!”

Thank You Notes

Not getting a thank you note. A guest could attend your wedding and think that it was the most beautiful event they have ever attended. However, if weeks or months go by and they don’t see a note from you recognizing their attendance, or worse yet their gift, they could end up with a sour taste in their mouth, says Caroline Kennedy. “Thank you notes are a personal and simple way to show guests that you appreciate their presence.”

With all the wedding planning you’re doing right now, it’s hard to imagine there’s any detail you haven’t thought of – but trust us, there are certain to-dos that somehow never make it to the top of list. Here are 10 essentials to keep front of mind:

Image: Lucy Leonardi Photography

1) Making post-wedding plans

We’re not talking about the honeymoon here (who would forget to plan that?). We mean you need to decide what you’re doing immediately after your wedding. If you don’t want the party to end with the last dance, you should pick a late-night spot in or near one of the guest hotels. If privacy isn’t all that important, book your wedding night room in the same hotel as your guests. If you just want to get to bed, we strongly suggest you book a room elsewhere.

2) Bringing your overnight bag

If you’re allowed to check into your hotel room early — and you don’t personally need to be there to officially check in — pick someone to drop your overnight bag at your hotel before your ceremony starts. A guest who’s staying at the same place will more than likely be happy to do this for you, since they’re going to have to check in anyway! If your things can’t arrive sooner than you, ask a Bridesmaidto be responsible for bringing your bag to the wedding and finding a safe spot for it in the bridal suite. Even easier, if you’ll have the same car or limo for the entire day and night, opt to keep your stuff in the boot.

3) Picking someone to take your things home after the reception

Your gifts, mementos (think toasting flutes, cake topper, unity candle and guest book) and any leftover food, booze or cake need a trusty escort to get them home. Choose a person and let them know about their responsibility. And you may want to donate your centrepieces. Nursing homes typically accept flowers, but call at least a few days before the wedding to find out when someone can drop off the arrangements. If you’re changing out of your gown before you head to your hotel room, you’ll need a person to take it home, too— even if you have no plans to get it professionally preserved, you don’t want to leave it behind! Make sure there’s a hanger and a garment bag on hand (the one your dress came with will do!) so your gown stays in tip-top shape.

Image: Lucy Leonardi Photography

4) Deciding where everything goes

Besides planning where all of your guests sit, you need to figure out where you’ll put programs, escort and place cards, menus (if you’re having them) and bomboniere. Once you’ve decided who’s going to set these out — your wedding coordinator, Bridesmaids and banquet managers are all good choices — give them clear instructions on where they should go (one bomboniere on every other plate at tables, for instance, if you want couples to share the takeaways, or all of them in two baskets by the exits if you want guests to pick them up on the way out). Also, if your venue’s staff will be setting out these items, find out when you can drop everything off — some venues want everything a couple of days before your wedding; others won’t take anything until the actual day.

5) Decorating the other areas

Of course, no guest will walk out of your wedding if the bathrooms and cocktail bar are left bare. But with all the energy that’s put into dressing up the reception and ceremony spaces, you might want to put in the small extra effort to give these spots the décor they deserve. A few candles will work.

6) Buying gifts for the wedding party

When gifts are constantly coming to your door, it’s hard to remember that you also need to dole some out! So who makes it on the gift list? Everyone who plays a role in your day — yes, your parents and future in-laws, too. You don’t need to make a big presentation.

7) Choosing how to gather the gifts

If you’re not having a wishing well, there are three times when guests are likely to thrust gifts at you: while they’re in the receiving line, during your table visits and when they leave for the night. Designate a person — one of your Bridesmaids, your mum or your groom’s mum — to collect envelopes, and have them by your side with a large but inconspicuous bag when you’re saying hello and goodbye to your guests. That person should also keep an eye out for guests who seem a little lost at the reception — they may be trying to figure out where they should put their gift! If you decide instead to have a wishing well, box or other stationary receptacle, add a cute sign and tell a few people to subtly spread the word around.

8) Figuring out your day-after plans

If you’re leaving for your honeymoon straight from your hotel, make advance arrangements for a car service to take you from the hotel to the airport, and be sure you bring any luggage you want with you on your trip (and a passport if you need it). If you’re not going on your honeymoon right away, then you need to know where you’re going the morning after your wedding (home, or your parents’ house?) and how you’re going to get there. Park your car at the hotel before your wedding if you’re allowed, or ask a friend to come pick you up and bring you where you want to go the next day. Don’t schedule your ride too early — you’ll probably be exhausted.

9) Bringing the legal documents

Signing your marriage certificate after the wedding ceremony is one of the most important aspects of your day; after all, it officialises the reason you threw a wedding in the first place! After all the hours of planning, you’re probably more focused on the party afterwards than the legal side of your nuptials, but without the paperwork, all the stress and money spent will be for nothing. Your celebrant should hopefully keep you on top of all the legal requirements, such as lodging your Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month prior to your wedding day, and bringing along three marriage certificates for you to sign on the day. Also, there is a ‘Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage’ which you will need to sign close to, and prior to the marriage taking place. Check with them a few days before the wedding so you can have peace of mind.

10) Making and confirming itineraries

Check in with every single supplier, from the limo driver to the linen rental company, one week before your wedding. Many of them will beat you to it, so be ready to go over times and locations whenever you get a call. Send out agendas to your Bridesmaids and groomsmen, too — how else will they know what time you’re taking photos? If someone in the bridal party is notorious for being late, start their schedule half an hour early just in case.