Your Last-Minute Checklist for Planning an Intimate Wedding You Can’t Forget
Intimate weddings emerge as a beautiful alternative to grand weddings and extravagant affairs.
These smaller, more personal celebrations enable couples to focus on each other and create precious memories with their closest family members and friends. Of course, you can still have the traditional entourage, vendors, and reception venue.
And now that your big day is only a few days or weeks away, we bet you’re wondering about the details you might forget. Like a regular-sized wedding, the intimate one requires a checklist for the final touches. Don’t worry; this intimate wedding last-minute checklist ensures you are 100% on top of everything.
1. Finalize Your Guest List and RSVPs
While an intimate wedding invites a maximum of 50 guests, 25 on each side, you still need to confirm their attendance. You can cross-check the list with the RSVP received.
It’s advisable to follow up with guests who haven’t responded yet to get their confirmation. Then, share the final guest count with the caterer and venue coordinator.
2. Confirm Your Vendor Arrangements
Contact all your wedding vendors, including the florist, DJ/band, caterer, photographer/videographer, and transportation providers. You must confirm your agreement details with them, such as time, date, setup, and location.
If you have special requests or specific requirements for the day, discuss them with the vendors. Ensure your vendors’ plans align with the venue’s facilities and policies.
3. Perform Final Dress and Attire Fittings
Schedule the final wedding dress and attire fittings, including groomsmen, bridesmaids, and parents. If there are any alterations, ensure they are already completed.
You can bring shoes, undergarments, or accessories necessary to achieve the desired fit. Ensure everyone has attire ready and knows the pickup dates.
4. Obtain Your Marriage License and Legal Documents
It’s recommended to get your marriage license around 30 days in advance. Rules on waiting periods and expiration dates vary depending on the state or city. But one month is usually ideal within the sweet spot for both.
The most common legal documents for marriage license application include valid identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate. You can make multiple copies of important documents and keep them in a safe place.
5. Review the Ceremony and Reception Details
Be sure to review and finalize the order of events for your intimate wedding ceremony and reception. You can share the finalized timeline with your vendors and officiant.
You also need to confirm the layout and setup of the ceremony and reception venues. Then, you can start arranging the necessary décor or equipment.
6. Double-Check Accommodations and Transportation
Confirm hotel reservations for out-of-town guests. You can provide them with the room blocks, if applicable. This detail is also essential if you’re having an intimate destination wedding.
You can arrange transportation for yourself and your guests from the ceremony to the reception and other locations as required. Provide your guests with transportation options and directions to these venues.
7. Create a Wedding Day Itinerary
You can craft a detailed wedding day schedule, including getting ready, transportation, ceremony, reception, and post-wedding activities. If your guests know this itinerary, including their roles, responsibilities, and timing, you can feel confident that everything will run smoothly.
It’s better to allocate a few extra minutes. You can’t expect everyone to be exactly on time.
8. Make Final Payments
Most vendors request a final payment after receiving your final headcount. You can review your budget and determine if you can pay them beforehand.
This lets you not worry about the payments on your wedding day. Also, keep track of expenses and receipts for any last-minute purchases.
9. Rehearse the Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony rehearsal allows everyone to familiarize themselves with the venue. They can practice their entrances, standing positions, and tasks, like holding bouquets, exchanging rings, or presenting readings.
This familiarity reduces anxiety and ensures everyone knows where and when they need to be. Walking through the venue will also help you identify obstacles on your wedding day.
10. Prepare Tip Envelopes
If you plan to tip vendors, such as wait staff, DJ, or photographer, label and fill envelopes with the correct amount. Sealed envelopes are safer than digging through your pocket for cash.
Vendors and their staff are typically tipped about 15 to 20%, like tipping regular servers.
11. Assemble a Wedding Emergency Kit
Unforeseen circumstances may arise despite your meticulous planning. So, you can prepare a wedding emergency kit containing safety pins, pain relievers, tissues, stain removers, and a small sewing kit. You can also include hairspray, combs, extra pantyhose, or clear nail polish.
If you plan an outdoor ceremony, prepare for emergencies like rain. You can have umbrellas and a tent set up for your guests.
12. Pack for Honeymoon Early
If you’re leaving for your honeymoon a few days after your wedding, pack your clothes, toiletries, and other essentials for the trip.
Ensure to confirm all your travel arrangements. Your passports and other travel documents are in a safe place.
While you want nothing important to be overlooked through this last-minute wedding checklist, don’t forget about self-care. You can use the final week to make you feel your best. You can visit a nail salon or have your favorite facial treatment. It would be best if you also got enough sleep.
References:
- https://www.bridalguide.com/planning/etiquette-advice/tips-tricks/last-minute-wedding-checklist
- https://www.weddingshoppeinc.com/blogs/weddings/34-last-minute-wedding-planning-tips-you-cant-forget
- https://www.brides.com/gallery/week-of-wedding-to-do-list
- https://www.bridalguide.com/planning/engagement/your-last-minute-wedding-day-checklist