Heavy downpour? Partying out of bounds? No power? No problem! Just follow our plan-ahead guide to an angst-free celebration.
By: Elena MauerSure, you’ve envisioned your wedding day as the picture of perfection, but you can’t help but think that, with so many details—and people—involved, something is bound to go wrong. “Obviously some things are out of your hands,” says Marcy Blum, an event planner in New York City. “But you can make some pretty good calls to help avert disaster.” Consider these “what if” tactics as you plan, so you can enjoy your big day even more.
Photo Credit: Danielle Rettig
Set A Schedule
Planning the big-day itinerary can be a tedious task, but it’s key that everyone in the wedding party is on the same page as to when they need to be where. “Print up a full wedding-day schedule, e-mail it to all your attendants and request a reply receipt,” suggests Blum. “Appoint one usher and one bridesmaid—or put your wedding planner in charge—to ensure that everyone is rounded up at each point in the schedule.”
- “Organize a limo or bus for your wedding party,” says Amy Nichols of Amy Nichols Special Events in San Francisco. “Make sure all the bridesmaids are finished getting their hair and makeup done 30 minutes before you all need to leave for the ceremony.”
- Be sure to triple-confirm your vendors. If you’re working with a wedding planner, she’ll take care of this for you. If not, appoint a responsible friend or family member to take charge in case someone is MIA on the wedding day. “Have a master vendor schedule with all of the load-in and out times as well as contact numbers on it,” says Blum. “Call the day before to confirm addresses, routes and pick-up times.”
Mind the Details
- One day-of disaster that you might not have thought of yet, but is pretty common? Feeling light-headed or even fainting. Brides, grooms and wedding-party members can get so distracted by the festivities they forget to eat! Be sure your wedding-day supply kit includes plenty of snacks and drinks (we’re talking water, not champagne).
- Oh, and one last rule: “Never separate yourself from your dress,” says Nichols. “One bride recently had her sister-in-law bring her dress to the venue, but the sister-in-law was over an hour late getting there. It wouldn’t have been an issue if the bride had her dress! Ditto for flying. Carry the dress on board.”
