One Week Before the Wedding: Your Day-by-Day Countdown

The week before wedding checklist is where we see couples either feel calm and in control… or spiral into “why are we arguing about bobby pins at 11:47pm?” territory. And we get it. We’ve photographed and filmed weddings for 15+ years around the DC metro area, across the East Coast, and everywhere from backyard tents in Loudoun County to black-tie ballroom weddings in downtown DC. The last week before the wedding is when real life hits: vendor emails stack up, your family suddenly has “urgent” opinions, and you’re trying to remember if you ordered the card box or just thought about ordering the card box.

Here’s our honest take: you don’t need to do everything this week. You need to do the right things—on the right days—so your wedding day runs on rails. This wedding week countdown breaks down Monday through Sunday with specific tasks, realistic timing, packing lists, confirmation scripts, and the emotional self-care nobody talks about (but everybody needs). We’ll also point you to helpful pages like Wedding Day Timeline, Backup Planning Guide, and Getting Ready Photography Guide so you’re not reinventing the wheel.

Your “Week Of” Strategy (Before We Hit Monday)

Before we go day-by-day, we want you to adopt one mindset:

This week isn’t for new decisions. It’s for finishing decisions you already made.

That means:

• No switching florists on Wednesday.
• No rewriting the seating chart from scratch at midnight.
• No “maybe we should add a sparkler exit?” unless you love chaos and your venue loves fire hazards.

The 3 buckets: what you’re actually doing this week

We’ve seen the most successful wedding weeks follow three buckets:

1. Confirm: vendors, timing, addresses, payments, weather plans.
2. Pack: personal items, décor/venue items, emergency kit, day-of essentials bag.
3. Protect: sleep, hydration, food, emotional boundaries, and the ability to ignore group chats.

Your two master documents (non-negotiable)

If you create nothing else, create these:

• Master Wedding Day Timeline (with who/where/when + buffer time). Start with our Wedding Day Timeline guide.
• Vendor Contact Sheet: names, cell numbers, arrival times, load-in instructions, parking, and who they should ask for on-site.

Print both. Yes, print. Phone batteries die at the worst times.

Monday: Confirm the Big Stuff + Start Packing Like a Pro

Monday is your “control the controllables” day. You’re one week out—this is not the day to start crafting 120 escort cards from scratch. It’s the day to confirm the stuff that can cost real money if it goes wrong.

Monday checklist (60–120 minutes total)

• Confirm final headcount with your venue/caterer (or confirm the deadline and what’s still outstanding).
• Confirm vendor arrival windows and load-in rules.
• Confirm your marriage license plan (pickup, appointment, required IDs).
• Start your packing piles (venue items vs. personal items vs. day-of bag).
• Review your weather plan and backup plan.

If you don’t have a weather plan, fix that today. Use Backup Planning Guide as your sanity checklist.

Final vendor confirmations: what to say (copy/paste)

Send one short email (or text, if that’s your relationship) to each vendor:

Subject: Wedding Day Confirmation – [Your Names] – [Wedding Date]

Hi [Vendor Name] — we’re one week out and wanted to confirm:

• Arrival time:
• Setup location + best entrance:
• Parking details:
• On-site point of contact (name + cell):
• Final balance/payment plan:
• Any last items you need from us:

Thanks so much — we’re excited to work with you!

[Your Name]

Monday packing: start with “venue box” categories

Don’t pack item-by-item yet. Pack by category so you can delegate later.

Venue / Décor categories to start:

• Ceremony: programs, signage, aisle décor, ring warming items, unity ceremony items
• Reception: place cards/escort cards, menus, table numbers, card box, guest book, pens, favors
• Toasts + cake: cake knife/server, champagne flutes, topper, candles/lighter
• Photo details: invitation suite, vow books, heirlooms, jewelry box, perfume, special hangers

We’ll build a full packing list in a later section, but Monday is for laying the foundation.

Tuesday: Beauty & Body Logistics (And the Stuff Nobody Wants to Talk About)

Tuesday is the day to lock beauty appointments, nail down “getting ready” timing, and handle the unglamorous but critical details (like breaking in shoes and buying fashion tape).

Beauty appointments: ideal timing (realistic, not Pinterest)

We’ve seen beauty timing make or break the morning. Here’s what generally works:

• Hair color/cut: 5–7 days before (Tuesday/Wednesday is perfect)
• Brow shaping/waxing: 5–6 days before (less redness risk)
• Spray tan: 2–3 days before (Thursday/Friday for a Saturday wedding)
• Nails: 1–2 days before (Friday for Saturday weddings)
• Facial: 7–10 days before (not 2 days before—please don’t)

And yes, we’ve seen a last-minute facial cause a reaction that took 72 hours to calm down. Not fun.

Confirm your “getting ready” photography plan

If you care about candid getting-ready photos (and most couples do), don’t wing it. Use our Getting Ready Photography Guide to plan:

• What details to have ready (invites, rings, perfume, vow books)
• Who should be in the room
• What time you actually need to be in hair/makeup chair

Hot take: A crowded “getting ready” room isn’t automatically more fun. It’s often louder, messier, and more stressful. Pick your calm people.

Tuesday checklist (30–90 minutes)

• Confirm hair/makeup start times, address, parking, and how many artists.
• Do a full outfit try-on (yes, everything): undergarments, shoes, jewelry, veil, shapewear, robe/pajamas.
• Break in your shoes around the house for 30–60 minutes.
• Buy last-minute comfort items: blister pads, fashion tape, heel stoppers, deodorant, snacks.

Wednesday: Paperwork + Seating Chart Reality Check + Payment Plan Review

Wednesday is for the admin stuff that’s annoying now—but lifesaving later.

Marriage license & IDs

Rules vary by state and county around DC (and beyond). Some require appointments, some have waiting periods, some don’t. Build in time for:

• Travel + parking
• The office being randomly closed for a staff meeting (it happens)
• A missing document

If you’re traveling for a destination wedding, double-check legal requirements. We’ve seen couples assume “we’ll do it there” and then realize the residency rule makes it impossible.

Seating chart: do a “drama audit”

Here’s the part nobody enjoys. But we’ve watched seating chart drama spill onto the wedding day.

Ask:

• Who absolutely can’t sit together?
• Who will feel slighted if they’re far from the couple?
• Are there any guests who need accessibility seating (closer to exits/bathrooms, minimal stairs)?
• Are you creating a “kids table” without checking ages and dynamics?

Our opinion: Put the emotionally high-maintenance guests in the middle of the room—not front and center, not hidden in a corner. Corners feel like punishment. Front feels like a reward.

Payments: what’s due this week?

Most vendors are due in the final week. Common final payment ranges (DC metro/East Coast averages we see):

• Photography final payment: often due 14–30 days prior (but check your contract)
• Videography final payment: similar window
• Catering: final invoice due 7–14 days prior (sometimes 72 hours after final count)
• Planner/coordinator: final due 1–2 weeks prior
• DJ/band: final due day-of or week-of (varies)
• Florals: final due 7–14 days prior
• Venue: final due 30 days prior (often)

Create one list with:

• Amount due
• Due date
• Payment method
• Confirmation received

Wednesday checklist (45–120 minutes)

• Finalize seating chart and send to planner/venue (or confirm deadline).
• Confirm final invoice schedule and tips plan.
• Print key paper items: vows, readings, vendor contact sheet, timeline.

Thursday: Pack for the Venue + Finalize Your Emergency Kit

Thursday is packing day in our world—because Friday gets chaotic fast, and Saturday morning is absolutely not the time to realize the card box is still in your apartment.

Packing for the venue: the “three container” method

Here’s what works best:

1. Décor Totes (2–6 bins)

Clear bins with labels: “Ceremony,” “Reception,” “Paper Goods,” “Candles,” etc.

1. Fragile Box (1–2 boxes)

Anything glass, framed, sentimental, or breakable. Mark it like you mean it.

1. Day-Of Coordinator Box (1 small bin)

Scissors, tape, extra pens, lighter, batteries, command hooks, etc. (We’ll list specifics below.)

Label every container with:

• Your last name
• Wedding date
• Where it goes (ceremony/reception/getting ready)
• Who owns it (so it comes back)

Full venue packing list (steal this)

Not every wedding needs all of this, but most need more than couples expect.

Ceremony items

• Marriage license (if you’re bringing it)
• Rings (or ring box)
• Vow books/cards
• Officiant payment/tip (if applicable)
• Programs + holder/basket
• Reserved seat signs
• Unity ceremony items (candle, sand, cords, etc.)
• Aisle décor + ties/zip ties
• Ceremony sound: handheld mic batteries (if provided by DJ)

Reception details

• Seating chart display + easel
• Escort cards/place cards
• Table numbers + holders
• Menus
• Guest book + 6–10 pens (pens walk away)
• Card box + sign
• Favors
• Cake topper + knife/server set
• Champagne flutes (if you’re bringing them)
• Photo booth props (if DIY)

Personal comfort

• Flats/sneakers for later
• Wrap/jacket if the night gets cold (even in June—DC humidity drops can surprise you)
• Umbrellas (clear umbrellas photograph best)
• Bug spray wipes (outdoor weddings, especially near water)

Emergency kit finalization (what we’ve actually used at weddings)

You can buy a pre-made kit for $25–$60, but we prefer building your own. Aim for a $60–$120 kit that actually fits your day.

Core emergency kit

• Tide pen + shout wipes
• Fashion tape + safety pins (multiple sizes)
• Mini sewing kit + extra buttons
• Scissors + mini measuring tape
• Advil/Tylenol (and any personal meds)
• Tums/Pepto chewables
• Blister pads + moleskin
• Band-aids (regular + blister)
• Deodorant wipes
• Bobby pins + hair ties
• Clear nail polish (snags + runs)
• Lint roller
• Super glue (gel is best)
• Phone charger + portable battery
• Snacks (protein bars, nuts, crackers)
• Water bottles or electrolyte packets

If you’re outdoors

• Bug spray wipes
• Sunscreen (face-safe)
• Mini fan
• Hand warmers (fall/winter)
• Ponchos (cheap ones are fine)

Thursday checklist (90–180 minutes)

• Pack all venue items into labeled bins.
• Finalize emergency kit and place it where it will actually travel.
• Confirm who’s transporting what (names, not “someone”).

Friday: Rehearsal Dinner Prep + Final Walkthrough Mentality

Friday is about rehearsal dinner prep, gift distribution, and getting your brain to stop spinning.

Rehearsal dinner prep: what actually needs to happen

Rehearsal dinner stress usually comes from unclear expectations. Keep it simple.

Common rehearsal dinner tasks

• Confirm reservation headcount and timing
• Confirm who’s speaking (and keep it to 2–5 people)
• Confirm who’s paying (yes, confirm)
• Pack any gifts (parents, wedding party)
• Print a mini timeline for wedding party (arrival times, where to park, what to bring)

What we see go wrong: people assume the rehearsal dinner is “chill” and then it turns into a 3-hour speech marathon with no food until 9:45pm. That’s a rough start to wedding weekend.

Your rehearsal: what to focus on (hint: it’s not perfection)

The rehearsal is for:

• Processional order and pacing
• Where people stand
• Mic handoff and vow timing
• Recessional order

That’s it. Nobody cares if someone steps with the wrong foot.

Tips + gratuities: set them up now

If you’re tipping vendors (common in the DC area), prep envelopes now so you’re not doing math in your wedding dress.

Typical tipping ranges we see:

• Hair/makeup: 15–25%
• Catering staff: often built into service charge (read your contract), but extra $50–$150 for standout staff can happen
• DJ: $100–$300
• Delivery staff (florals, rentals): $20–$50 per person
• Planner/coordinator: not required, but $200–$500 is common if they saved your sanity

Friday checklist (60–150 minutes)

• Attend rehearsal (or confirm who’s attending).
• Pack rehearsal dinner items: toasting notes, gifts, outfit, backup shoes.
• Prep tip envelopes and label them.
• Charge all devices: phones, portable chargers, vow mic if you have one.

Saturday (Wedding Eve): The Calm Setup + Early Night (Yes, Really)

If your wedding is Sunday, adjust accordingly. But for most couples, Saturday is wedding day—so this section is for the day before the wedding day. Wedding eve is where you lock in calm and stop tinkering.

Drop-off plan: who brings what, where, and when

Your venue likely has a drop-off window. Confirm:

• Earliest access time
• Where items should go (loading dock, front desk, coordinator)
• Who signs for deliveries
• What needs refrigeration (cake, desserts, some florals)

If you’re dropping items off yourself: Do it earlier in the day, not at 9pm after the rehearsal dinner.

Build your “day-of essentials bag” (do not skip)

This is not your emergency kit. This is the bag that stays near you all day.

Day-of essentials bag list

• Phone + charger + portable battery
• ID + credit card + a little cash ($50–$200)
• Vows + rings (if you’re holding them)
• Breath mints (not gum)
• Lip color for touch-ups + blotting papers
• Travel deodorant
• Tissues (happy tears are real)
• Bandaids + blister pads
• Safety pins + fashion tape (mini versions)
• Snacks (we like applesauce pouches, protein bars, crackers)
• Water + electrolytes
• Hair brush/comb
• Contact solution (if you wear contacts)
• Any meds you might need

Keep it small. Think “tote bag,” not “moving box.”

Sleep: our least glamorous but most valuable advice

We know you’re excited. We know your friends want to hang. But if you can’t fall asleep, you’re not alone—pre-wedding insomnia is real.

Try:

• Shower
• Put your phone away for 30 minutes
• Lay out tomorrow’s outfit
• Do one calming thing (stretching, a book, breathing)

And if you don’t sleep perfectly? You’ll still have a great day. Adrenaline is a powerful thing.

Saturday checklist (45–120 minutes)

• Deliver venue items (or confirm delivery plan).
• Pack day-of essentials bag and keep it with you.
• Put wedding attire in garment bags, ready to travel.
• Early night as best you can.

Sunday: Wedding Day Morning + Final Checks (The “Don’t Freak Out” List)

Wedding day is here. Your job is not to manage vendors, tape signs, or answer 37 texts. Your job is to show up and get married.

The wedding morning “don’t freak out” list

If any of these happen, you’re still fine:

• Someone forgot the champagne flutes
• The flower girl refuses to cooperate
• Your veil isn’t sitting right for 10 minutes
• It’s raining (seriously—rain photos can be incredible, and your guests will survive)

If you haven’t already, glance at our Wedding Day Timeline article so you know what a realistic flow looks like.

Final vendor confirmations (day-of version)

You’re not emailing vendors today. But someone should be the point person (planner, coordinator, sibling, best friend who’s calm under pressure).

That person should have:

• Vendor contact sheet
• Timeline
• Tip envelopes
• Venue rules (noise cutoff, last call, exit plan)

Sunday checklist (quick hits)

• Eat breakfast. Even if it’s small.
• Hydrate early.
• Put the marriage license in the correct hands.
• Keep rings and vows accounted for.
• Hand off your phone if you can (or silence it).

Packing for the Venue: What Goes Where (So Nothing Disappears)

Packing is where we see the most last-week chaos. Not because couples are disorganized—because they pack without a system.

The “who touches it?” rule

Every item should have one responsible person:

• Couple
• Planner/coordinator
• Venue manager
• Best man/maid of honor
• Parent

If it’s “everyone,” it’s no one.

Labeling that actually works

Use painter’s tape + Sharpie or printed labels. Write:

• “Return to: [Name + phone]”
• “Open first / open last”
• “Fragile”
• “Ceremony only” or “Reception only”

What NOT to send to the venue early

• Rings
• Marriage license
• Vows
• Phones/devices
• Sentimental jewelry

Keep those with you (or with one trusted person).

Emergency Kit Finalization: Build Yours Like a Veteran

We’ve already listed the kit contents, but here’s how to finalize it so it’s useful, not just a cute bag.

Make two kits, not one

• Kit A (Bridal suite / getting ready): beauty fixes, fashion tape, stain remover
• Kit B (Reception / coordinator): scissors, tape, batteries, command hooks, pain meds, snacks

If you can only do one kit, make it portable and keep it with your coordinator.

Add the “weird stuff” that saves the day

• White chalk (covers tiny white dress marks)
• Mini steamer (or confirm your venue has one)
• Heel protectors (outdoor grass)
• Clear ponchos (for bridal party)
• Extra boutonnieres pins (florists sometimes forget)

Budget reality: A well-built kit costs ~$80–$150. And it can save a $300 dress cleaning fee or a 20-minute meltdown.

Final Vendor Confirmations: The Exact Checklist We Use

Vendor confirmations aren’t just “are you coming?” They’re details.

The confirmation checklist (for every vendor)

• Arrival time + setup duration
• Exact address + entrance
• Parking + loading instructions
• On-site contact name + number
• Final timeline (PDF)
• Payment status + tips plan
• Weather/backup plan
• Any restrictions (candles, confetti, drones, amplified sound)

Common vendor-specific items

Hair/Makeup

• Start time, finish time, number of services
• Who’s paying day-of (if not prepaid)
• Parking fees (hot tip: DC hotels love surprise valet fees)

Caterer

• Final headcount deadline
• Meal counts (chicken/beef/vegan)
• Vendor meals: how many, when served
• Rentals included vs separate

DJ/Band

• Ceremony mic plan
• Do-not-play list
• Grand entrance names (phonetic spelling helps)
• End time + overtime rate (often $250–$600/hour)

Photo/Video

• Getting ready address + room number
• Shot list priorities (family combos, cultural moments)
• Sunset time plan (we’ll guide you, but you should know it exists)

Beauty Appointments: A Timeline That Won’t Betray You

Here’s a simple beauty schedule for a Saturday wedding. Adjust as needed.

Sample beauty schedule (Saturday wedding)

• Monday: hydration, gentle skincare only
• Tuesday: hair color/cut; brow shaping
• Wednesday: wax (if you wax), but not too aggressive
• Thursday: spray tan (if doing it); avoid new products
• Friday: nails; pack touch-up lipstick; shave (carefully)
• Saturday: hair/makeup + touch-up kit

What NOT to do with beauty in the last week

We’re begging you:

• Don’t try a new skincare active (retinol, acids)
• Don’t whiten teeth for the first time
• Don’t do filler for the first time
• Don’t do a “test” haircut

Hot take: Your “glow up” doesn’t need to peak on the wedding day. You need to look like you—well-rested, confident, and comfortable.

Rehearsal Dinner Prep: Keep It Warm, Not Wild

Rehearsal dinners get weird fast when people treat them like a second wedding reception.

Keep the schedule simple

A rehearsal dinner that works:

• 30 minutes: rehearsal
• 15 minutes: travel
• 2 hours: dinner + a few toasts
• Done

If it becomes a four-hour event with heavy drinking and late-night after-party plans… wedding day morning will feel rough.

Toast plan (that won’t hijack the night)

We recommend:

• 2–4 toasts max
• 2–3 minutes each
• One person assigned to cut it off if needed (politely)

Emotional Self-Care: The Part of the Checklist That Matters Most

The last week before wedding emotions are real. We’ve watched the calmest couples suddenly snap at each other over nothing. It’s not because your relationship is doomed. It’s because your nervous system is fried.

The most common emotional stress triggers

• Family dynamics (money, guest list, traditions)
• Decision fatigue (“just tell me what napkin color!”)
• Sleep deprivation
• Body image pressure
• Feeling like you’re “hosting” instead of getting married

Your week-of emotional plan (simple, not cheesy)

Try these:

• 10-minute daily check-in with your partner (no logistics—just feelings)
• One no-wedding conversation per day (talk about literally anything else)
• A boundary phrase you can repeat to family:

“Thanks—our plan is set and we’re sticking with it.”

And if you’re feeling anxious? That’s normal. The goal isn’t to feel nothing. The goal is to keep the anxiety from driving the car.

Day-Of Essentials Bag: What You’ll Actually Use (Not 47 Random Items)

We listed the essentials earlier, but here’s the real-world version based on what we see couples reaching for.

The top 12 most-used items

1. Lip color
2. Blotting papers
3. Fashion tape
4. Bobby pins
5. Deodorant
6. Tissues
7. Phone charger
8. Water/electrolytes
9. Protein snack
10. Band-aids/blister pads
11. Safety pins
12. Pain relief (Advil/Tylenol)

Who holds the bag?

Not you. Ideally:

• Planner/coordinator
• Maid of honor/best person
• A responsible sibling

Keep it out of photos. (Yes, we’ve seen bright tote bags in the background of getting ready shots. We can usually hide it, but let’s not make it a sport.)

Two Quick Comparison Tables (So You Can Decide Faster)

Table 1: Emergency Kit vs Day-Of Essentials Bag

Table 2: Vendor confirmations—email vs phone call

Red Flags & What NOT to Do in the Last Week Before the Wedding

This section might save your sanity.

Red flag #1: Making major changes after final counts

Changing the layout, adding 25 guests, switching entrée choices—these can trigger rush fees and chaos. We’ve seen catering change fees of $6–$18 per person for late updates, plus staffing issues.

Red flag #2: DIY projects that “should only take an hour”

If it’s Wednesday and you’re starting a DIY that requires glue guns, printing, cutting, and “just one more trip to Michaels,” stop.

Our rule: If it’s not done by Tuesday night, it’s not happening unless someone else is doing it.

Red flag #3: Not feeding yourselves (or your wedding party)

Low blood sugar looks like:

• Tears
• Snapping
• Feeling faint
• Headaches

Build snacks into the morning. Your photographer and videographer will thank you too—hungry people don’t love photos.

Red flag #4: No backup plan for weather or late vendors

Rain plan. Heat plan. Wind plan. Traffic plan. If you’re outdoors, read Backup Planning Guide and make the calls now.

Red flag #5: Putting your phone in your own hands all day

If you keep your phone, you’ll get:

• Vendor questions
• Family texts
• Guest “where do I park?” messages

Hand it off or silence it. You’re not tech support.

A Realistic Monday–Sunday Countdown (All in One Place)

If you just want the whole wedding week countdown condensed, here you go. Adjust for your wedding day.

Monday (7 days out)

• Vendor confirmations (arrival, parking, payments)
• Review timeline Wedding Day Timeline
• Start packing piles
• Backup plan review Backup Planning Guide

Tuesday (6 days out)

• Beauty confirmations + schedule
• Outfit try-on head to toe
• Shoe break-in
• Getting-ready plan Getting Ready Photography Guide

Wednesday (5 days out)

• Marriage license/admin
• Seating chart finalized
• Print vows/readings
• Tips plan list

Thursday (4 days out)

• Pack venue bins + label everything
• Finalize emergency kit
• Confirm transportation of items

Friday (3 days out)

• Rehearsal + rehearsal dinner prep
• Prep tip envelopes
• Charge devices
• Eat a real dinner, go to bed early-ish

Saturday (2 days out / wedding eve for Sunday weddings)

• Drop off venue items if allowed
• Build day-of essentials bag
• Calm night, hydrate, light stretch

Sunday (wedding day)

• Eat, hydrate, breathe
• Hand off license/rings/vows to the right people
• Let your team run the plan

Frequently Asked Questions

People Also Ask: What should be done one week before the wedding?

Focus on confirmations and packing. Confirm vendor arrival times, addresses, and final payments, then pack venue items into labeled bins and build your emergency kit and day-of essentials bag. One week out is also the right time to lock your beauty schedule and double-check your backup plan using Backup Planning Guide.

People Also Ask: How do you confirm vendors the week of the wedding?

Send a short email (or text) that confirms arrival time, setup location, parking, on-site contact, and payment status. Ask one clear question: “Do you need anything else from us?” Keep everything in writing so there’s no confusion later.

People Also Ask: What should be in a wedding emergency kit?

Include stain remover, fashion tape, safety pins, a sewing kit, pain relief meds, blister pads, deodorant, scissors, snacks, and a charger. Most couples spend about $80–$150 building a kit that actually covers real problems we see at weddings.

People Also Ask: When should I get my nails done before my wedding?

For most couples, 1–2 days before is the sweet spot (Friday for a Saturday wedding). It’s close enough to look fresh, but not so close that you’re panicking if an appointment runs late.

People Also Ask: What should I pack in my day-of wedding bag?

Pack quick comfort and touch-up items: phone charger, water/electrolytes, lip color, blotting papers, tissues, fashion tape, bobby pins, snacks, and blister pads. Keep it small and assign someone else (planner or maid of honor) to hold it so it’s not floating around your photos.

People Also Ask: What are common mistakes couples make the week before the wedding?

The biggest ones: starting big DIY projects too late, making major changes after final counts, skipping meals, and failing to confirm weather/backup plans. Another classic mistake is keeping your phone all day and getting dragged into logistics while you’re trying to enjoy your wedding.

People Also Ask: How do I stay calm the week before my wedding?

Build small routines: a 10-minute daily check-in with your partner, one no-wedding conversation per day, and a plan for who handles family messages. Protect sleep and food like they’re vendor contracts—because they basically are.

Final Thoughts: Your Only Job Is to Show Up and Get Married

A solid week before wedding checklist isn’t about being perfect. It’s about removing landmines—unconfirmed arrival times, missing décor bins, beauty timing that’s way too tight—so you can actually enjoy your wedding day. We’ve seen couples pull off incredible weddings with a surprise downpour, a late shuttle, and a flower girl rebellion… because the fundamentals were handled and the energy stayed calm.

If you want extra support, check out our Wedding Day Timeline for a realistic flow, Backup Planning Guide for weather and contingency planning, and Getting Ready Photography Guide to make your morning feel relaxed and photo-friendly. Other internal pages that pair well with this topic (if you’re building out your wiki) would be: Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide, Wedding Detail Photos Checklist, Rehearsal Dinner Etiquette, and Wedding Family Photo List.

And if you’re still looking for a photo/video team that’s calm under pressure (and knows how to handle the real-world chaos of wedding week), our team at Precious Pics Pro would love to help you feel taken care of from the getting-ready moments all the way through the last dance. Learn more at preciouspicspro.com.