Last-Minute Checklist for Wedding: 30 Tasks You Won’t Want to Forget

Stay organised (and reduce stress!) with our Last-Minute Wedding Checklist of 30 essential tasks.

#1. Fill out the paperwork

If you remember one thing, let it be this: while legal requirements may vary from state to state, you’ll generally have to lodge A Notice of Intended Marriage with your celebrant one month (minimum) prior to the special day. Research the specifics and talk to your celebrant to make sure you can actually tie the knot. You know, legally.

#2. With a little help from my friends

We all know that after you say “I do”, you sign a piece of paper to make it official, but what happens to that piece of paper? As part of your last minute wedding checklist, choose someone responsible for keeping your signed marriage licence safe until the end of the celebrations – if your best friend is the human equivalent of Dory from Finding Nemo, maybe consider asking someone else.

#3. Communication is key

Does a sudden temperature drop mean your outdoor venue needs heaters? Are there microphones ready for the speeches? Is there a knife with which to cut the cake? These are all things your wedding planner or reception coordinator will be on top of on the day, so they must be fully briefed on exactly what you envision for an ideal scenario and, dare we say it, plan B. Life happens when you’re busy making other plans, so check in with your wedding coordinator in the morning to talk about the day’s weather and order of events and get that peace of mind you’ll both seek.

#4. Designate a point person

Whatever happens on your wedding day, there’s one thing you can be sure of – everyone will have a question for you. Don’t fancy answering an almost endless list of queries while getting ready to walk down the aisle? Whether it’s a friend, planner, parent or bridesmaid, ask someone to be the go-to person for answers and fill them in on all the need-to-know details in advance. Perhaps put together a little cheat sheet and bribe them with a pre-wedding lunch or bottle of bubbles.

#5. Assign a gift caretaker

After the last song has been played and the guests start to leave, you’ll probably be too busy saying goodbye to gather your gifts. Plus, let’s face it, it’s not a good look. Ask a trusted family member or friend to collect your gifts and cards to take home. If you’re leaving for your honeymoon straight away, give them a house key so your goodies aren’t taking up space at their place.

6. Excel to the rescue!

They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it’s never more true than when you’re getting ready with your girlfriends. Put together a timeline for all the essential beauty preparations and keep your bridesmaids in the loop. Confirm arrival times with your photographer and hair and makeup stylists, and try to allow more time than usual to get all dolled up. After all, you’ll probably want time to check yourselves in the mirror. Come on, we all do it. Additionally, having a detailed wedding day itinerary will help keep everything on track and ensure a smooth flow of events.

#7. Camera ready

Some people say art can’t be rushed, but it almost certainly will be if you don’t keep a photography timeline in mind. Ensure everyone is fully dressed, made up and looking their best by the allotted time, and always be considerate of the photographer. After all, time is money – your money.

#8. Make a wedding day itinerary

Chances are you’ve probably had a timeline in mind for weeks or even months, but now is the time to double-check and lock in everything as you enter the final countdown. Create a spreadsheet of starting times, budget allowances, when to pay vendors and when to wrap up the reception, and be sure to give your ‘point person’ a copy. Not only will it prevent any late fees, but it’ll put your mind at ease, and everyone knows confidence is the most beautiful thing a bride can wear. Oh, and procrastinators, don’t leave packing to the last minute! Set aside a solid hour or two to pack for your wedding day, night and honeymoon. Put the remote down and step away from Netflix (just for a bit, we promise!).

#9. Don’t let your spirits be dampened

Rain on your wedding day isn’t just a line from a tragic song from the ‘90s; it’s also a real possibility. If your venue offers no alternative undercover space, you might have to plan for a ‘just in case’ tent. And consider asking all your guests to bring umbrellas before your special day. Sometimes, the weather can’t be helped, but you shouldn’t let it rain on your parade. Yes, we went there.

#10. Final guest list roll call

If the RSVP deadline has been met and truly gone, it’s definitely not rude to call any guests who haven’t replied. Giving your venue and caterer a final headcount is essential, and it’ll help you finalize the final guest list and seating chart (a classic pressure point).

#11. Shine bright like a diamond

Before you put a ring on it, you’ll actually need to get the rings – well, duh. While at the jeweller, have your engagement ring cleaned to make it sparkle on the day. If everything else about you is preened and polished, a shabby ring will stand out for all the wrong reasons.

#12. Be outstanding for all the right reasons

All your vendors have likely been paid by now, but if any outstanding payments are to be made at the end of the wedding, be sure to set aside the appropriate amount before the actual day. In the excitement of the day’s events, it will be easy to forget something so mundane – and you could spend that amount on cocktails on your honeymoon instead. So think ahead and be prepared with an extra file or even a good old-fashioned envelope with cash. It’s a simple suggestion, but one you just might thank us for.

#13. Love notes

Set aside a few minutes to write a little love note to your sweetheart, saying how excited you are to spend the rest of your life together. If you get some free time in the days leading up to the wedding (we said if), write a few notes and put them in envelopes to be opened on certain milestones, like anniversaries or even after your first fight. They’ll be fun to look back on and another reminder of why you’re tying the knot.

#14. Think of the ‘behind-the-scenes’ people

Tipping may traditionally be an American custom, but you might want to show your gratitude for someone who’s gone that extra mile to make the day perfect. Also, if you’re offering an open bar to your guests, the day’s excitement might make you want to add just a little bit extra to the tab. It’s a bit of an obvious tip, but you might forget amid the preparations.

#15. The bride wore a wedding dress…

A final wedding dress fitting might be common sense, but it’s not something you’ll want to skip. Make sure you schedule a final fitting shortly before the special day so you can organise any last-minute alterations. At the end of the day, a final stitch here, a little ‘letting out’ there, isn’t that big of a deal, but feeling uncomfortable on your wedding day is.

#16. Precious cargo

Take one look at your dress; now look at your car. If you plan on transporting your dress to your ‘getting ready’ location, it’s probably not the best decision to cram it into your tiny Suzuki Swift. To save your gorgeous creation from being crushed, damaged or dirtied, practice fitting it (in a garment bag, of course) into your car well in advance. If it’s a tight squeeze, organise transport with someone with a larger vehicle, or maybe even swap cars. It’ll potentially save you frantically steaming the creases out of your dress on the big day.

Additionally, ensure you have backup wedding shoes and break in your new ones ahead of the big day to avoid discomfort.

#17. Practice makes perfect

Remember the first time you tried on a pair of heels and were determined to wear them all night? Painful, wasn’t it? To avoid looking like a wobbly newborn foal – and evil blisters – wear your shoes around the house a few times and practice walking around.

Additionally, ensure you get a good night’s sleep before the wedding day to feel refreshed and look your best.

#18. Shave and a haircut, two bits

Sometimes, the groom can get a little forgotten in the lead-up to the wedding day. Ensure he’s looking sharp, and get him to visit a barber less than a week out. Leave it too late, he’ll look a little too dishevelled, book it too soon and he might look like a little kid on his first day of school – cute when they’re five, not so much in adulthood.

Personalising the groom’s preparation for his wedding is essential to ensuring he feels remarkable and confident on the big day.

#19. This is not my jam!

You’re out having a great time with your friends, enjoying the music, then a god-awful tune comes on, and it just ruins the mood – sound familiar? You’ve probably made a list of songs for your DJ to play, but also be sure to put together a list of songs you don’t want to hear under any circumstances (i.e. anything by Nickelback #SorryNotSorry). Also, if there’s a particular song you want played, list the artist to avoid another artist’s cover being played.

#20. Strays be gone!

Okay, it’s not the most charming of pre-wedding to-dos, but if you plan on booking any hair removal sessions, it’s best to do it at least a few days before the special day. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your dress is or how perfectly your makeup has been done; red, blotchy and itchy skin from a bad reaction is sure to ruin your bridal look.

#21. Nailed it!

When it’s getting to the final few days, take it as your cue to visit the nail salon for a little pampering and to enjoy a little breathing space. Don’t book it too early (in case of chipping), and be sure to buy a matching colour varnish just in case any last-minute fix-ups are needed.

#22. Get me to the church on time

If you’re not planning on driving yourself, your driver can be one of the most influential people on the day – they’ll literally get you from A to B! Make sure you have their mobile number in case of any late arrivals or if you happen to leave something in the car. Also, if you have guests from out of town, it’s always a lovely gesture to plan transportation for them to and from the wedding. Whether it’s a simple maxi taxi or a stylish limo, they’ll appreciate not worrying about the ride or the route. Additionally, organizing transportation for guests during the wedding weekend ensures a smooth transition between events and enhances their overall experience.

#23. Fresh as a daisy

The obvious fact of the day is that flowers need water. Have a vase of water ready to save your bouquet from wilting in the heat, especially if it’s a summer wedding. Remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – the same applies to humans.

#24. Make you feel my love

If your guests are flying in for the occasion, shop around for thoughtful welcome gifts to leave in their hotel rooms. Cheesy ‘welcome to’ souvenirs are always a winner.

#25. This is a drill; people

Final fittings aren’t just for brides. Organise another fitting with your wedding party, and bring any accessories or shapewear you plan to wear. Sometimes one bra just looks better under a dress than another (the term ‘pancake boobs’ springs to mind), so don’t be afraid to bring along a few options to try on.

#26. In case of a wedding day emergency kit

Pretty much every ‘bride advice list’ includes a wedding day emergency kit, but it’s for a good reason! Think of the horrors you’ll avoid by packing some hairspray, face powder, lipstick, mints, hemming tape, safety pins, stain remover, tissues, band-aids, extra pantyhose, traction pads for heels and hairpins of every kind. Actually, you might not want to think about it for too long. Don’t fret too much if you forget anything, as one of your guests or bridesmaids is bound to have something helpful on hand, but an emergency kit could be one of the best pieces of insurance you’ll ever invest in.

#27. The most important meal of the day

It doesn’t matter how slim-fitting your dress is; skipping breakfast on the morning of your wedding is never a good idea. If staying at a hotel, pre-order breakfast to be delivered to your room so it’s one less thing to think about on the day. And make sure you eat something substantial – the strawberry in your Champagne does not count!

#28. Put it in writing

Now’s the time to apply those final tweaks to your vows and practice any speeches you plan on giving. Spontaneous ad-libbing often makes for the best ceremonies, but if you’re admittedly daunted by public speaking, having a few quick ‘run-throughs’ can put your mind at ease.

Additionally, a wedding planning checklist can help you stay organized and ensure that no essential details, like obtaining and bringing the marriage license, are overlooked.

#29. I’ll drink to that

If you’ve organised to have a bartender at your wedding, double check the cocktail list the day before. A forgotten garnish, a missing mixer, a Pimm’s Cup without the Pimm’s – all things that can be avoided with a quick phone call and a trip to the bottle shop. Also, if you’ve designed a signature cocktail for the occasion, confirm the ingredients before the big day and ensure you have one final sample… all in the name of wedding planning.

Additionally, coordinating responsibilities during the rehearsal dinner, such as entrusting the wedding rings to the best man or maid of honour, is crucial for a smooth wedding day.

#30. That’s all for now, folks

Anyone who’s worked in a late-night venue will tell you there comes a time when you just have to kick everyone out – they’ll usually play Semisonic’s ‘Closing Time’ as a polite cue. Ensure you’ve checked with all your vendors, primarily your venue, what time your reception is expected to wrap up to avoid an unexpected overtime fee. As the song goes, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here” – hotel after-party, anyone? A minute wedding checklist can help ensure nothing is forgotten in these final moments.

Want to skip the pre-wedding stress out? Check out our ‘Tips and Advice’ stories here…