There will be a number of tasks that you may be unable to complete until the week leading up to your wedding. Those seven days will be fly by faster than you can say “one week to go” so a final checklist will ensure you have everything under control.
For even the most organised Bride and Groom, trusting in your organisation skills is one of the best ways to stay on top of things. But a checklist will help to put your mind at ease.
Here we have broken down the final checklist to what we think should be taken care of, in the seven days prior to your wedding.
Let the countdown begin!
The one week mark
- Double check your marriage license – it’s a bit like checking for your passport 25 times before travelling. It just doesn’t hurt to make sure your marriage license is in order, so you can sign on the dotted line and make it official on your wedding day.
- Brides, start breaking in your shoes – as beautiful as they may be, your wedding shoes might not offer premium comfort first wear. It’s a good time to start wearing these around the house (when the groom isn’t in sight, however!) and get used to wearing them. The heat from your feet will soften the leather and it’s good to wear the soles down slightly to avoid the chances of slipping.
- Check the weather – this is an ongoing task to ensure you’re fully prepared for what’s ahead. At this time of year there is little need to worry too much, but it’s always good to know whether you need to start visualising plan B as your venue.
Six days to go
- Write your vows – and practise saying them out loud. Whether you’re writing your own or as a couple, you ideally want to know these words well enough to speak clearly and confidently on the day.
- Finalise your run sheet and give a copy to your suppliers – if there are many fingers in your wedding pie, everyone needs to know where and when they are required. From caterers to DJs, your suppliers will appreciate a copy of your run sheet to ensure their jobs are carried out smoothly.
Five days to go
- Ensure attire for bridal party is ready to go – if you’re having something made, hiring suits or ordering online, the fifth day mark is where you really want to make sure it’s all arrived and ready. After all, if one item is missing it can throw the whole look off course. This also gives you time to make any adjustments should something not fit quite right.
- Confirm wedding-day appointments – whatever you have booked for the day – babysitting, hair and makeup, transportation – now is the time to confirm your appointments. With five days to go, there is still plenty of time to source a new provider should your original plan fall through.
Four days to go
- Ensure all final payments have been made – if there are any suppliers you have not yet paid in full, now is the time to do so. You don’t want them holding out on you when the day comes!
- Double check your seating plan – and do a final head count! Absolutely every guest needs a seat, so don’t leave anyone hanging!
Three days to go
- Meet with your MC – have a copy of your run sheet ready and go through it with your MC face-to-face. Quite literally the “Master of Ceremonies”, your MC will guide your guests through most the day, so it’s important they know exactly what to expect.
- Pack your honeymoon bags – if you’re jet setting shortly after the wedding, pack what you will need a few days prior. Don’t forget your passport!
Two days to go
- Pack your wedding day items – it’s best to do this a couple of days out so you have time to nip out and pick up whatever you may have forgotten. Both Brides and Grooms like to have a few essentials on hand, so decide what these are and ensure you have them ready.
- Write a love letter to your Bride/Groom-to-be – it’s a lovely idea to give something to your Bride or Groom that they can open on the wedding day. Whether it’s long or short, reading a love letter will be the perfect way to begin your special day.
- Visit the venue – have one last look around and drop off any decorations you might have to the staff. Be clear about how you would like the place set up and provide the venue with your seating plan, place cards and wedding favours.
The day before
- Hold a rehearsal – it may seem like a simple task but there can be more to your wedding ceremony than you realise. Who is in charge of the music? In what order will the bridesmaids walk in? Where will you position the bridal party? These are the details that are best finalised during a rehearsal. Try to get this out of the way early so you have the rest of the day to relax.
- Treat yourself – whatever helps you relax. For the Bride and Bridesmaids, a few hours of pampering is a good way to wind down. And for the Groom and the Groomsmen, a round of golf or an afternoon of fishing are great for relaxing while enjoying a laugh or two.
- Most importanty, get a good night’s sleep!
If you have arrived at the one-week-to-go mark, you will be well aware of what it takes to organise a great wedding.
The last week is all about finalising, confirming and, where possible, relaxing. Having a written checklist ensures nothing is overlooked.
Having a wedding at Markovina Vineyard Estate makes it easy to check off a number of last-minute details. Covering many bases from food and venue, to DJ and transport, a wedding at Markovina is well taken care of by their experienced staff.
Whether you have a wedding coming up at Markovina and want to go over some things, or you would like to book for the future, call us today and have a chat with our friendly staff. We are only too happy to help in any way we can.
