Most couples spend around a year planning their wedding (a bit longer if Covid puts everything on hold!).  That doesn’t mean, however, that everything is totally sorted well ahead of time and there’s nothing to do in the last week apart from chill out.  You’ll obviously (hopefully!) have all the big things squared away long before that (venue booked, invitations sent, dress bought, cake ordered, ring ready, catering organised…).  But those last seven days are still going to be full on busy.  This timeline should help you keep everything on track.

7-4 days

·         Finalise your guest list.  Chase up anyone who hasn’t sent an RSVP yet. Give the list to your venue and finalise the table plan.  Send a copy to those who need it, such as the wedding planner, photographer, and designated bridesmaid.

·         Test drive your look.  Take delivery of your dress the week but also try on your whole outfit, including shoes and jewellery, for a total wardrobe check. Get the groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen and little attendants do the same.  Once you and they are sure everything is in order pack all the essentials away safely.  If you are renting your groomsmen's suits, nominate the best man or one of the groomsmen to pick them up and drop them off on the return date.

·         Have your engagement ring professionally cleaned so it’s extra sparkly on your wedding day.

·         Your wedding shoes are probably brand new, so break them in.  Wear them for a short period of time each day around the house and walk around on a few different surfaces to really test them out.  If the soles are slippery you may want to lightly buff or scuff them for extra grip.

·         Confirm your beauty and hair appointments, as well as the morning-of schedule, with your hair and beauty artists.   Share and communicate your wedding-day timeline to your bridal party, parents, wedding car company and your wedding planner or venue coordinator.  Make sure groom gets a haircut.

·         Confirm timings, locations and other details with your suppliers, including contact details of your planner, coordinator or key person in your wedding party to contact on the day in case there’s an issue (you won’t have time to deal with it!).

·         Finalise your shot list for your photographer and videographer has your chosen shot list.  Give band or DJ has your song list.  Make sure venue knows when each supplier will be setting up and provide contact details.

·         Do any last-minute shopping for your honeymoon and finish packing them away, not forgetting passports, travel documents and currency.  Double-check flight details, confirm your hotel bookings and any other activity or dinner reservations.

·         Practice your vows and speeches to make sure you are happy with the wording and well prepared.

·         Get final payments ready for vendors and check your contracts for payment deadlines to be sure there are no hiccups.

2-3 days

·         Go for your spray tan manicure, pedicure, massage, waxing and all your other beauty treatments.

·         Make any last-minute changes to the table plan and print out place cards.

·         Pack ceremony or reception décor items in separate boxes ready for transportation and set up - table number, place cards, favours, menus.   Also box up things like the guest book, cake knife, toasting glasses, and any other items you'll need.  Get the boxes to the venue before the big day.

·         Put together wedding-day emergency kit - glue for false eyelashes, spray deodorant, sewing kit and selection of pins, bandages/sticking plasters, a hairbrush, clear nail polish, nail file, hairspray, wet wipes, painkillers, tampons, extra makeup….

·         Wrap all gifts for groom, mum, dad, bridesmaids or groomsmen with note or card.

1 to 2 days

·         Place final cash tips into separate envelopes for each wedding vendor.  Give envelopes to a trusted member of your wedding party to hand over at the appropriate time.

·         Pack your wedding overnight bag and get it to where you'll be staying.

·         Have your ceremony and dinner rehearsals.

·         Create an after-party plan.  Who will remove all your items (guest book, cake knife, decorations…)?  Delegate to a member of wedding party if you are heading away on honeymoon.

·         Final check with your bridal party to make sure that they have everything they need – from suits and dresses, shoes and accessories, to shirts and socks and cufflinks to jewellery.

Finally…

Chill out – you’ve got pretty much everything covered!  Take time for a walk, a massage, snuggling up on the sofa with soon-to-be-husband and watch a favourite movie and get an early night - do whatever will help you relax so you are fresh and rested for your big day tomorrow!

We’re here for you

We hope this final wedding planning countdown list proves useful – but if there’s anything else we can help you with just ask.  The team at Clevedon Hall have a wealth of experience to share and love discussing your ideas and plans!