You have the date circled on your calendar, and you are getting the countdown from just about every person you know (as if you forgot when your wedding was!) What should you be focusing on the week of your wedding? Here are some tips!
Pack it up!
Pedicures are important, and you can make time for that this week but our number one tip is to start at the beginning of the week and make a packing list. Every item that you are bringing with you to your venue should be listed on the box, along with where the item should go. So if you are planning on having shawls or small blankets for guests if they get chilly, indicate that you would like these to go on the bench next to the dance floor with the corresponding chalk board sign or note that tells guests to grab one!
Pack items together by the order of where they are going. All of the welcome table items such as your photo album/sign in with pens, card box, programs etc. Cake topper with the cake server, knife, plates, forks (if you aren't renting) should all go together.
Take Care of Final Balances
Look over all of your vendor contracts with your wedding planner and ensure all balances are taken care of so that you don't have to carry around your check book on your wedding day. If you would like to have envelopes for your planner to distribute for balances that need to be paid on the day of, indicate the vendor name, balance being paid and/or amount of gratuity. Not sure about tipping? Our thoughts are pretty much the same as what Off Beat Bride has to say about tipping. If you are looking for a standard guide we have supplied one here.
Set-up and Clean-up
Be sure to have a clear idea of what items need to be set up and also cleaned up/broken down after the reception. Go over this with your planner to make sure you are on the same page and determine if you need any additional assistance. If your venue handles clean-up discuss what they will do with your personal items like photos, table numbers, centerpieces, left over cake etc and when you should plan on picking that up. Often your security deposit is subject to these policies so be sure to clearly understand any hard out times & clean-up rules.
Before you start gearing up for your rehearsal, take an evening or even just a casual lunch with your honey and spouse-to-be and just be normal together! Try to steer clear of wedding talk for at least a good hour and know that all of the details & work is to celebrate your commitment to each other.
~ Happy Planning!~