Wedding day must haves
As a wedding planner, it is my responsibility to ensure your day runs smoothly and that all of the timings and logistics of the day are covered. I also bring my emergency kit, filled with items like plasters, deodorant, mints, safety pins, first aid kit, to name a few… I ensure there are blankets if the weather is cold, that there are heaters for a marquee, that there are multiple copies of suppliers’ contact details. The list goes on, but I won’t bore you with that. However, there are a few things that as the bride and/or groom, you need to be in control of. Below I have outlined my wedding day must haves (and have nots).
Wedding day must haves
Items for your flat lays - a flat lay is any photo involving arranging items on a flat surface and photographing from above. In a wedding context, this is usually your wedding stationery combined with a few other items. This means you need to ensure you have a spare copy of each stationery item on hand to give the photographer when they arrive at your getting ready location. It is also a good idea to have your wedding day perfume, jewellery, shoes and any gifts/letters on hand, too. The photographer will arrange all of the items themselves to get the best flat lay photographs. It might be a nice idea to ask your florist for some spare petals/flowers for these, too.
Plenty of food and water - getting ready on your wedding day can be quite time-consuming, but is a really lovely process, as you’re surrounded by your nearest and dearest. However, don’t forget to drink plenty of water and have something to eat! Even if you don’t feel hungry due to the excitement, you will need food and will otherwise regret not eating later in the day.
Comfortable shoes - this might sound boring, but it is so important if you plan on dancing into the night. Gorgeous stilettos may look fantastic, but won’t feel fantastic after wearing them for 12 hours+. I always recommend a block heel when it comes to your wedding shoes, but if you do want the beautiful Jimmy Choos, then ensure you have a spare pair of shoes to change into for the party.
Bathroom box and scented candle - it is always so useful as a guest when the toilets have been stocked up with some essentials. Mints, sanitary products, hair spray, deodorant etc. Doesn’t sound glamorous, but they are always used. Furthermore, a scented candle with a long burning time is a lovely addition and helps to keep things feeling fresh.
Thank you gifts/letter for your bridesmaids and groomsmen - technically this doesn’t have to be done on the wedding day, as any tears could ruin your make-up! But giving thank you gifts/letters to your bridal party the night before your wedding is a really special moment and one that is so appreciated.
Bridal party that brings the energy! - this one is SO important. Make sure the people around you are bringing the right energy to your wedding day. They should be uplifting, excited, calming of any nerves, and just a joy to be around. This also means you have to carefully consider your bridesmaids and groomsmen when you select them - no one wants a Debbie Downer on their wedding day!
Things you do not need on your wedding day
There are also a few things you do not need on your wedding day (I actually have a list much longer than this, but ask me about that separately):
Your phone. - Everyone you love is at your wedding so there is no one to contact. You’ve also paid a professional to take photographs all day. Leave the phone at home.
Your wedding night bag - this sounds misleading, but wait. Make sure your bag for your wedding night is packed way before your wedding day and that you have given it to someone before your wedding day who can put it wherever you are staying (the best man is usually a good call). You do not want to be faffing around trying to pack a bag and get it to your hotel the morning of your wedding. Similarly, if you’re going straight on honeymoon from the wedding, pack a good few days before your wedding day.
A welcome sign - this is controversial, but I don’t think weddings need welcome signs. Unless you go alternative and bold with a neon light or something, a standard board saying ‘Welcome to the wedding of x and y’ is just wasted money. Everyone knows whose wedding they are at.
Wedding favours - in short, these are a waste of money and no one ever looks at them again. An exception to this can be found at another blog post of mine…
Photo booths - again, controversial and sorry if I’m offending anyone’s wedding decisions! But these just draw people away from the dancefloor and produce photos that no one ever looks at again. If you can creatively incorporate guests taking their own photos into a giant memento of the day e.g. a photo board then maybe I can justify it. But ultimately, save your money.
Let me know what you think, or feel free to drop me a message to ask about anything else I don’t think you need at your wedding!
