Today's the day. The day BEFORE you walk down the aisle. Piece of cake right?
Why is it that no one seems to talk about the rehearsal day itinerary and that sometimes it can be more stressful than your actual wedding day! You will have a lot of people wanting to help which is great, but you don't want to have too many cooks in the kitchen. With intentional planning, your wedding weekend doesn't have to be stressful, here are our top tips for keeping the anxiety attack at bay:
1. Hire Professionals
Keep DIY projects to a minimum, or select projects that can be completed months before the wedding rather than the night before. When planning your wedding you may just be focusing on what is going on the tables & what things will look like. But keep in mind that you will have to set-up and clean-up (re-pack) these items as well. A wedding planner can not only create an organized timeline for your wedding weekend that outlines what each vendor is responsible for, but will also ensure that all rentals are correct and set-up accordingly. Between your wedding planner, catering staff, venue staff or other event staff can assist with setting everything up so that you and your family do not have to worry. The tips that follow are especially important for couples who may not have a full service caterer or event staff.
2. Packing & Clean-up List
If you are bringing any of your own items to the wedding venue such as (picture frames, signage, guest book, cake topper, toasting flutes etc) write it down on a packing list along with where you would like the item to go. For example if you are bringing several frames but would like the largest frame to go on the welcome table you should indicate that. Write this list so that anyone who picks up the list could unpack the boxes and put the items in place. This will save you the first 10 questions from your aunt or sister, "where does this go" all those questions add up!
List out who will be taking the gifts, left over food, cake and any of your personal items home after the wedding. Who will be responsible for ensuring that the venue policies have been met (clean-up complete, rentals stacked, dishes rinsed or any other applicable rules)
3. Timeline
Bring along extra copies of the timeline (or have your planner distribute ahead of time) so that family and friends have their questions answered without coming to you. Appoint someone in your wedding party to answer calls & field questions.
4. Ceremony Order & Script
Bring two copies of the ceremony order and script to ensure you have the walking order of your wedding party and that you have some verbal cues of what the officiant will be saying during the ceremony. Bonus points if you rehearse the ceremony processional to the music you selected with your DJ. You can time out how long it takes the wedding party to get down the aisle and determine if you need to make any changes. You can read our ceremony planning guide here
5. Relax and Enjoy
Allow yourself to relax and take it all in. Okay this is definitely easier said than done when emotions are running high and so much anticipations has led up to this day. Totally get it! Just remember that your friends and family have gathered this weekend just for you two! Laugh a lot, hydrate and hopefully sleep so that you can be rested for your amazing wedding day.
If you are still a few months out and are considering hiring a coordinator to assist you with your wedding day just shoot us a message. All consultations are complimentary and we would love to grab coffee & chat!
~ Happy Planning~