When planning a wedding there are so many details, it’s only natural to have some important essentials slip through the cracks. When planning a wedding, there are many details brides obsess over (dress, venue, and caterers) and other details that go overlooked. These often-forgotten wedding must-haves may seem small, but they can have a big impact on the overall flow, comfort, and fun of your big day. From go-to bags to timeline syncing, those deets keep you cool as a cucumber, pretty as a peach and your memories seamless for you and your guests! This list incorporates nine often-overlooked and yet completely essential items that every bride should be adding to her wedding planning checklist to make sure the big day goes off without a hitch.
1. Emergency Makeup & Beauty Kit
As perfect as your makeup artist’s work may be, weddings are all-day events that include tears, hugs, and hours of celebration — touch-ups are necessary. Include lipstick or lip balm, pressed powder to fight shine, blotting papers, a miniature hairspray, bobby pins, a small clear nail polish for emergency snags, cotton swabs and the like. Even if you are getting your makeup done professionally, when you have your own kit, you or your bridesmaids can correct smudges, flyways and other misadventures as the day goes on, rather than waiting for professionals. This life-saving kit is a must during reception parties when the lighting changes or following an outdoor ceremony where humidity or wind can affect your makeup. Fold the pieces carefully into a small clutch or pouch, and have someone be in charge of carrying it throughout the day. This oft-forgotten gem will ensure that your glam stays in place and your spirits high, so you can party without fretting about any last minute touch-ups.
2. Comfortable Wedding Shoes for Dancing
There are so many gorgeous, high-heeled wedding shoes that many brides get caught up by, and neglect to consider the reality of how much time they’re going to spend standing — and walking! And once you start dancing, aching feet can be a real distraction, or even quickly put an end to your celebration. One pair of comfortable backup shoes is a non-negotiable — consider chic flats, comfy sandals or pretty sneakers in your look’s color palette. You can easily change into these shoes after the formal photos or ceremony, and give your poor tootsies some rest but still not sacrifice that wonderful look. Some brides even opt to walk down the aisle in the comfy pair and change into heels for pictures or during the reception. They’ll make it easy to move around, dance the night away, and enjoy your wedding without feeling the pain and anxiety that come with blisters or aching arches. It is a small detail that will make you feel that much more comfortable and breathe more life into your wedding day memories.
3. A Detailed Wedding Day Timeline
A well thought out timeline is often for gotten in the scheme of things but really does play a huge role in how smooth the wedding day goes. Brides may think that everyone knows where to be and when, but without specific instructions, people get lost or arrive late. A more comprehensive one will include hair and makeup start times, photographer arrival times, when the ceremony will begin, when you’ll move from one location to the next, and when different reception events — such as speeches and dances — are supposed to take place. By sharing this timeline with your bridal party, vendors and family, you can get everyone on the same proverbial page. It mitigates standing around and wasting time, or rushing, or missing activities without any discomfort. By having a copy with you and your maid of honor or wedding planner, any unexpected changes can be addressed immediately. The timeline alleviates pressure, it keeps the day moving seamlessly and it lets you be present, happy and confident as the bride.
The Diabetes Cookbook
Instant Healthy Meals From Managing Diabetes
4. Backup Dress Accessories
There’s so much attention paid to the dress, you forget the backup stuff you may need. That means extra stockings or tights, a second pair of earring backs, a sewing kit for speedy fixes, double-sided fashion tape and even a second veil or hairpiece, she says. Minor wardrobe malfunctions, such as a broken earring post or a small tear, can induce unnecessary panic if you’re not ready for them. Double-sided tape will keep straps or necklines in place, and a sewing kit can be used to secure loose hems or buttons. Your stockings might ladder or rip, and when they do, having spares ensures your legs look pristine all day long. Such extras are small but important elements that help to retain your bridal look, with minimal fuss. Tuck them in a small bag and have a friend on hand to help out if something requires a quick fix.
5. Hydration Supplies
Weddings are long, hot, and tiring — especially if you’re grooving or outside. Ensuring that you are staying hydrated is vital for maintaining energy levels and good skin. Couples often overlook consuming water because they’re caught up with make-up and clothes. Bring a reusable water bottle or make sure there’s water in your getting-ready suite. If it’s going to be an extra hot day or a long party, consider electrolyte packets. Good hydration is the enemy of fatigue, of dryness and of headaches and more generally gives you a fresh look from the ceremony till the last dance. Ask your bridesmaids and family to keep reminding you to drink water continuously. But, hydrating is one of the most basic – and one of the most overlooked – things you can do to make sure that you’re able to enjoy your wedding to the fullest.
6. A Designated Emergency Contact Person
Even though wedding planners typically manage vendor liaison and troubleshooting, not all brides have them. Even if you have a planner, it’s a good idea to designate a trusted family member or friend as your official emergency contact. This is the person who deals with that last minute flood of missing vendors, missing items, forgotten items, that weird cloud that has appeared out of nowhere in the sky that is definitely not supposed to be there, and then they deal with it, so you don’t have to. They can direct vendors, run messages and help keep the bridal party in order so that you are free to enjoy the day. There is no confusion or interruption when this person is described. It’s important to prepare them in advance, provide them with copies of the day’s timeline and vendor contacts, and to empower them to make decisions if need be. This contingency plan will keep you relaxed, stress-free, and able to be fully present during your ceremony.
7. Unique Touches for the Guest Experience
Though brides may prioritize decor and food, it’s easy for them to forget how these little extras can increase guests’ comfort and enjoyment. Personalized welcome bags with necessities such as water bottles, snacks, mints, sunscreen and maps of the venue can help guests feel comfortable and cared for. Provide a schedule of events or suggestions if your wedding is over several days. Detail-oriented options like blankets for outdoor ceremonies, fans for hot days and umbrellas for inclement weather will let your guests know you have their best interests in mind. It’s these little things which are noticed (and remembered) by guests, and are often cherished long after the day itself. Ensuing your guests are comfortable will allow for a warm and loving ambiance of joy that mirrors your hospitality.
8. Charging Stations or Backup Batteries
It is essential today to keep phones and cameras charged in the digital age. The big stereotype is that brides, guests, and possibly photographers depend on devices for snapping and way-finding and communicating. However, many brides don’t consider the need to have charging stations or backup batteries present at the wedding. Or perhaps organize a subtle charging station at the reception or supply your wedding party with portable battery chargers. This guarantees no one gets stuck without being able to capture or share their memories because their battery is dead. It is also useful for vendors and coordinators to stay in touch. This small tech trick can save a great deal of the oh-sh*!-the-hair-stylist-photographers-makeup-people-cake-decorators-just-pulled-up kind of panic and keep the pace of your day moving smooth and unbroken.
9. Snacks for Sustained Energy
With all the attention on the ceremony and the partying, Brides frequently forget to nourish themselves. Hunger can cause dizziness, tiredness, and low energy — three things that probably detract from your ability to enjoy life. Pack a few small, easy snacks like nuts, granola bars, and dried fruit or bite-sized sandwiches to keep your energy up. Designate a bridesmaid or coordinator to have these on hand, particularly between the ceremony and reception or follow long photo hours. These are perfect fast energy snacks to keep you going through a long day. There is one simple detail that is so important to keeping that bridal glow, and that is staying fed.
All wedding days abound with bliss, but it’s the attention to un-considered details and preparation that elevate them from good to completely seamless and memorable. It’s easy to forget about these not-so-sexy items, but paying attention to all of them will ensure you stay comfortable, confident, and glowing from the very first I do to the very last dance. These must-haves not only help make up for the missing links, but they also take your entire wedding experience up a notch, allowing you to enjoy it with peace of mind and beautiful memories. Planning these details enables you to relax because you know you have everything taken care of, and so that your focus is just where it should be: on the joy and love and fresh start that are about to happen.
