This week, I saw a question pop up from ‘Michelle Y.’ in the ‘Ottawa Wedding Items for Sale‘ Facebook page, which had a ton of engagement from past and current brides.
Michelle wanted to know ‘what she should be doing in her final week of planning, to help prepare for her wedding day’?
Well, there was a ton of great advice thrown around from past brides, and lots of questions from those who are approaching this final week of wedding planning!
In today’s Friday Five series, we’re talking about 5 things you need to do in your final week of wedding planning!! If you’re a past bride + have more thoughts to add, comment in the feed below! x
1. DISTRIBUTE YOUR TIMELINE.
Brides should start chatting with their vendors about timelines at least 6 weeks before their wedding, but for many vendors (like your venue), this conversation will start even earlier. When it comes down to it, your timeline should be completely finalized by the week of your wedding, so it’s time to start distributing this material!
So, ‘who should get a copy of this final timeline?’: Anyone who’s playing a major role in your day! Vendors like your photographer, videographer, planner, caterer, DJ, etc., will all want a copy of your itinerary, but also – importantly!! – don’t forget to send a copy to your immediate family and wedding party. You want to be sure that they also know exactly where to be and when!
2. PAY YOUR WEDDING VENDORS.
The most common way to pay vendors these days, seems to be through e-transfer. If this is your preferred route, then don’t forget this one very important truth: your bank has a daily limit on e-transfers!
For most banks, this is a limit of $2,500, but if you’re looking to pay your florist, photographer, and caterer all in one day, this could sting you. The last thing you want to be worrying about in the final hours of planning is money; get this done and out of the way early in the week, so you don’t get caught off guard last minute.
3. ASSEMBLE YOUR BRIDAL DETAILS.
When you photographer and videographer arrive on the morning of your wedding, they’ll likely start by documenting your bridal details. Start collecting these things at the start of week (if not before!!) and putting them to one side.
The benefit of having these items stowed away is: 1) you don’t have to get up from your makeup chair to find all these details; 2) less time searching / more time photographing; 3) less chance of meaningful items being forgotten!
4. CONFIRM BOOKINGS.
Confirm and finalize appointments with your estheticians; including final appointments for nails / waxing / teeth whitening / tanning / spa day (heck yes, treat yo’ self!!) / eyelash refills, etc. For the guys, this last minute appointment could be a haircut a couple days before the big day, and a hot shave on the morning of the wedding.
5. DELEGATE.
So it’s the day of your wedding…flowers need to be picked up from the shop; you know you’re going to need a tray of sandwiches for your entourage around lunchtime; and you still have a gift for your groom that needs wrapping in the next 20 minutes.
Don’t you even think about tackling those things on your own, girlie!!
My FAVOURITE piece of advice for how to prepare on the final week of your wedding is to delegate, delegate, delegate!! On the morning of your wedding, it’s time to hand over those responsibilities and sit back with your mimosa!! And if it seems too much to handle, a day-of coordinator (like Bourbon and Bloom, Toast Events, or Courtney Elizabeth Events) will be your BEST friend!
Other suggestions from brides in the group included things like: stock up on snacks and drinks for the limo; start breaking your shoes in at the start of the week (if they give you blisters, then even your favourite pair of shoes might become uncomfortable!!); don’t forget to pack your overnight bag; and get plenty of sleep (you’re gonna need it!!).
My last piece of advice? Soak it all in. Planning can be overwhelming…it can be stressful…and it can take a lot out of you…but once it’s over, most people – truthfully – kinda miss it! Amazing things are in store for you, sweet friends, and I hope you enjoy every minute!!
xox, Amy
Looking for more fun tips from the ‘Friday Five’ series?
Check out: 5 tips on changing your last name after marriage
5 things a bridesmaid should know
5 favourite events from our wedding day (and why you should consider them)!