Your Wedding Day Prep Guide: What to Have Ready

All the details you won’t want to forget on the day of your wedding

Before every wedding, couples and I hop on one last call to go over their timeline, photo lists, and ideas for the day. This wedding day checklist walks you through exactly what to prepare two weeks out, one week out, and on the morning of your wedding, so nothing gets left behind. It covers your dress or suit, rings and heirlooms, vow books, and the small logistical details that are easy to forget in the excitement of the day.

There’s a lot to think about on your wedding day, and it’s completely understandable when something falls through the cracks. I was lucky to have my wife diligently double-check everything on the day of our wedding, otherwise I might have forgotten something important. Actually, I did forget the church florals in the car at the hotel, and it was my sister, acting as both bridesmaid and superwoman, who commandeered an uncle’s car to weave through Saturday Long Island traffic and get them back to the church just in time.

When that forgotten item is a piece of important clothing, a ring box, or shoes, that’s more stress than any wedding day needs. I’ve boiled down everything I’ve learned photographing weddings into the guidelines below. Read on, and let me know if you have questions or want more specific advice.

Photo by Matthew Rigby Photography

What to prepare two weeks before your wedding

If you are wearing a dress

1. Take the dress out and steam it, if possible. It may have been sitting in its bag or box for a year or more.
2. Ask anyone else wearing a dress to do the same, and have them try it on one more time, just to confirm it wasn’t swapped for the wrong dress (that happened once).
3. Verify that all the colors and customized pieces were included correctly.
4. Purchase a nicer wooden hanger for your dress, if you want one for the photos.
5. Put all pieces of clothing in the same, secure, location.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

If you are wearing a suit

1. Double-check that every piece of your suit is in the bag and that it fits. That also goes for anyone in your wedding party who is wearing a suit. Out of all of the things that could go wrong on all of the weddings that I’ve worked, this is genuinely the only detail that has caused issues (more than once).
2. Verify that all the colors and customized pieces were included correctly.
3. Steam the suit. You’ll thank me in ten years when your photos are still wrinkle-free.
4. Put all pieces of clothing in the same, secure, location.
5. Tell everyone else wearing a suit to do the same.
6. Purchase a nicer wooden hanger for your suit, if you’d like one for the photos.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Both people should

1. Confirm timing with your transportation.
2. Confirm the pronunciation of your names with your DJ, and double-check your first dance song.
3. Discreetly notify your photographer and videographer of any surprises. If any part of the day is a surprise to your partner, family, or guests, let the appropriate vendors know so we can expect it and document the moment, and make sure we know who not to tell beforehand.
4. Wrap gifts to each other, if you’re giving them.
5. Write your cards to each other, if you’re exchanging cards.
6. Write your vows. Don’t be the one without a personalized message if your partner is writing one.
7. If you’re planning an exit with bubbles, confetti, or sparklers, put one person in charge of collecting the materials, bringing them to the location, and passing them out, and let your photo and video team know your plans.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

What to prepare one week before your wedding

Both people should

1. Collect all your small details and heirlooms in a secure box (see the list below for ideas on what to include).
2. Designate one person who will know where those items are on the day of your wedding.
3. Remind whoever is helping with any DIY decorations about the plan to set them up.
4. Communicate with your wedding party and family the times they need to be ready and where they need to be for photos, especially if those happen between a first look and the ceremony.
5. Talk to these people directly. People often don’t read emails.

Photos by Matthew Rigby Photography

Here’s your handy list of details to bring

Think flat lays, arrangements, quiet solo moments, and photos with your wedding party.

• Family heirlooms
• Invitations or save-the-dates
• Flowers: the bouquet, or extra florals from your florist for detail photos
• All three rings, unless the wedding bands and engagement ring are with different people who won’t be in the same location
• Personalized clothing or jewelry
• Watches, cufflinks
• Matching pajamas, glasses, robes, or slippers with your wedding party
• Shoes
• Perfume or cologne
• Vow books
• Meaningful glasses or bottles
• Gifts and cards to each other
• Personalized signage or florals for the ceremony

Photo by Matthew Rigby Photography

The day of your wedding

Before your photographer arrives, have your point person collect your details (see the list above) and leave them near a window in your prep room.

1. Collect all your small details and heirlooms in a secure box.
2. Make sure your vow books are handy, if personalized.
3. Take suits or dresses out of their bags and hang them up.
4. Pop a bottle of champagne, take a breath, and enjoy. You’ve made it!

Photo by Matthew Rigby Photography

Frequently asked questions

What should go in my wedding-day detail box? Family heirlooms, invitations, rings, vow books, personalized jewelry, and any meaningful glasses or gifts you’re exchanging all work well. If your florist can provide some extra florals for your photographer, that works well for the detail photos too.

When should I tell my wedding party and family about the day’s timeline? About a week out, and in person or by phone, in addition to an email. Give them specific times and locations, especially for anything happening between a first look and the ceremony.

What if something gets forgotten on the wedding day? It happens even to photographers. Having one point person responsible for your detail box, and letting your photo and video team know about any planned surprises in advance, catches most of what would otherwise slip through.

How far in advance should I steam my dress or suit? Two weeks out is a good window, then again early on the day of. Steaming two weeks in advance gives you time to notice and fix any fit issues without the last-minute pressure of doing it the week of your wedding.

If you’re getting close to your wedding day and want to talk through your timeline or any of these details, I’m always happy to help.