Planning a wedding is a whole lot of fun. Bringing together your favourite people, food, music, cake, colours, style and more, on one unforgettable day that may only occur once in a lifetime - it's a very special time! However, amidst the excitement of wedding preparations, there are some essential details that you might unintentionally overlook. Often revolving around transportation, logistics, and weather considerations, these things might not be as thrilling to plan but are absolutely crucial nonetheless. In this article, we offer valuable advice on the 'not so fun' things you should remember when organising a wedding. Keep reading to create a handy checklist of these less glamorous yet vital elements, ensuring that your wedding is not only visually stunning but also well-coordinated.
The exciting chaos of planning a wedding
From choosing the perfect venue to finding a dress that makes you feel like a goddess, the long list of wedding planning essentials you're currently faced with is long. And just when you think you've done it all, the tasks multiply faster than you can say "I do."
The guest list becomes a puzzle, as does the seating plan. Dietary restrictions get lost in translation, and long-lost pop up out of the blue. Caterers, florists, and photographers dance around your calendar and pop up what feels like every few days for some more information. Then, when things look a little smoother, a sudden change in weather threatens to turn your outdoor dream into a muddy nightmare.
But amidst the chaos, there's a spark of joy, knowing that every challenge brings you one step closer to the most magical day of your life! And it's safe to say that your wedding day itself will make all the planning absolutely worth it.
The vital details you shouldn't forget
Amongst the chaos of the wedding planning - the cake, the first dance, the dress, the suit, the venue and the food - some important details can get forgotten. Less exciting things on your to-do list can get left behind or even lost. And as a result, some of the logistical aspects that tie your big day together don't get set in stone.
In this article, we cover the important details you should't forget when planning a wedding. From admin tasks like wedding insurance, to honeymoon logistics and transportation, we're going to help you get the less exciting tasks out the way, so you can make room for creativity!
1. Wedding insurance
Starting with one of the least thrilling parts of wedding planning - but perhaps one which will keep the adrenaline rushes low just when it's really required - it's wedding insurance! Wedding insurance is like a safety net for your big day, protecting you from unforeseen circumstances. It offers financial coverage in case of cancellations, postponements, or unexpected incidents that may disrupt your wedding plans.
From extreme weather conditions to unfortunate vendor mishaps, wedding insurance provides peace of mind by reimbursing you for non-refundable deposits, additional expenses, or even rescheduling costs.
In some cases, your wedding insurance can also cover liability in case of accidents or damages during the event itself. While it may not be the most glamorous aspect of wedding planning, having insurance ensures that you're prepared for the unexpected.
2. The night before
The very night before your wedding is one which can often get left off your list until the end. However, the truth is the night before is a big part of the wedding experience and it's worth a little of your planning time.
Because the truth is, the night before your wedding is a time to relax, unwind, and prepare for the big day ahead. It's a time when everything should feel calm and organised. So there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Wherever you are staying, whether it's at home, at a friend's house, or at a hotel, make sure everything is organised for your arrival. You'll also want to be sure that it's a place that you can get a good sleep. Check that everything has been arranged in terms of the arrival of your wedding attire and any other essentials such as skincare, documents, vendor contracts, make up, shoes and anything else you'll need to get ready (you can never go wrong by having extra tape, scissors and a sewing kit).
You could also plan for a light, nutritious meal the night before to keep your energy levels up. Whether you're keeping things traditional and staying alone on this night, or you're simply at home with your partner, make sure you're communicating with each other to ensure that all the details are covered.
3. Planning for bad weather
Rain on your wedding day has become something we all fear. It's almost considered curse-like, and we all cross our fingers that it doesn't happen to us.
However, the truth is, a raining wedding day can be charming, memorable and just as beautiful as a sunny day! So if the weather isn't looking great, there are a few things you can do to beat the weather.
Start by providing umbrellas at the exits, so guests can step outside for fresh air without worrying about their outfits. Speak with your event planner and let them help you figure out how to keep things running and smooth on a rainy day. Focus on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere at your venue, and let guests know that you're expecting some rough weather, so they're totally prepared.
Looking for some more advice about rainy wedding days? Read this article.
4. Honeymoon logisitcs
If your wedding is around the corner, so is your honeymoon! Lots of couples rightly obsess about their wedding day to such an extent that they don't follow through with the honeymoon logistics until it's all rather last minute.
A great place to start is of course booking flights and accommodation. However, once this is done, you should start looking at other details such as car hire, vaccinations and booking activities.
Shortly before your wedding, it could be wise to pack a bag with some of your honeymoon essentials. Make sure you have all necessary travel documents, such as passports and visas and put your clothes in the wash, ready for packing.
Consider any special items you may need for activities or weather conditions at your destination. Inform your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans to avoid any financial hiccups. Doing all of this before the wedding could make things much calmer after the big day!
5. Transportation
It's important that before your wedding day you have booked all the necessary transport. This of course includes a taxi or car to the wedding for the bride and the same for the groom. Make sure you book these in advance to avoid chaos or confusion on the days leading up to the wedding.
However, you may have also decided to put on a shuttle bus for guests, or perhaps organised a taxi for after the wedding for you and your new husband/wife. Planning these little details in advance can help you greatly, giving you a clear schedule when it comes to arrival and departure times.
6. Thank you cards
Although the thank you cards follow the wedding, it is a great idea to organise the thank you card process before your wedding day.
Start by choosing your preferred wedding stationery provider and communicating with them about your wedding date and preferred design. If you'll be writing your own messages on your thank you cards and you don't require a photo to be printed onto the front, you can go ahead and order the cards before your wedding day. Then, once your big day has come to a close, you're ready to start writing and sending!
Alternatively, if you've opted for thank you cards with a wedding photo printed on the front, you can still decide with your provider which design you're hoping to work with. Then, once your photos arrive, you can simply send over your photo and you're well underway.
If you're feeling super organised, you could also set up a spreadsheet before the wedding, so that once you're home you can fill in information about which guests gifted which gifts.
7. Vendor meals
Beyond just being a kind thing to do, providing meals to your vendors means that they are able to recharge and do better work. Plus, if you don't do it, your vendors may have to leave in order to buy some food, giving you less time to work with them.
Consider what time of day your vendors are coming, whether it's during the day (like a photographer), or at night (like a band). You can then communicate with your venue or caterers about what meals you'll need for your vendors.
8. Food the morning of the wedding
Breakfast and lunch on the day of your wedding are often forgotten. And there's no wondering why. With so much going on, it's easy to forget that you might want something to eat before a 2pm start.
It's therefore a great idea to have a plan in place for a breakfast or brunch on your wedding day. You could book a meal at a cafe or restaurant, and eat something light and healthy. Or you could ask a friend or family member to prepare a meal for you and your bridesmaids, or if you're the groom, for you and your groomsmen.
9. Time to yourselves
Have you ever wondered why on a typical wedding day - when you're marrying the person you'll spend the rest of your life with - you won't have any alone time alone with them?
Many people do consider this, and as a result they put aside half an hour to spend purely with their new husband/wife/partner. Whether it's at a sweetheart table at the wedding reception, on a bench in the gardens of your venue, or during a photoshoot away from the venue itself, many couples are opting for a moment of quiet on their big day.
Just make sure this is well scheduled into the day and that you and your guests are clear about when this is happening. Remember to enjoy the moment without letting it pass you by!
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