You’ve spent months planning your wedding and are feeling ready to go. It’s always a good idea to go over the checklist with your wedding planner one week before the big day, just make sure that everything is in place. But there are a few practicalities that your wedding planner might not mention. These little details are still essentials and you definitely don’t want to miss them. Here are the top things most couples forget during their wedding:

1. Overnight bag

As tempting as it may be to go straight to bed on your wedding night, you still have to take off your makeup, brush your teeth, and take a shower. An overnight bag is one of the most important things you need to remember. Pack it with all of your toiletries, medications, and a change of clothes.

2. The wedding timeline

You probably know the starting time for your ceremony and reception, and the order of events. It’s important to create multiple copies of this timeline to give to your vendors so that everyone is one the same page. Give your vendors specific times for key events like the time dinner will be served, or when to open the bar. Your hairstylist, makeup artist and photographer should receive the morning timeline as well, so they can work together to keep time schedules flowing nicely.

3. Point-person in charge

You want to be experiencing the moment during your wedding day, so assign someone you trust to manage the timeline, deal with minor emergencies, questions from your vendors. Give your point-person all the vendor contact information, and make sure that all your vendors know who the point person is.

4. Getting ready attire

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but you need something to wear while you’re getting ready. You will be photographed while getting your hair and makeup done, so a nice button-down shirt or favourite robe will do.

5. Cash and ID

You never know where your wedding night will take you, so it’s a good idea to have some cash and your identification with you at all times just in case you plan on an after-party. Leave another point-person in charge of your belongings because you have other things to worry about.

6. Breakfast

The pre-wedding nerves are real, but it’s still important to have breakfast on your wedding day. Something light and simple, like toast, is good enough. Have a bridesmaid or groomsmen pick up breakfast so that you won’t get married on an empty stomach.

7. Emergency kit

Emergencies happen when you least expect them to, so have an emergency kit on hand just in case. An emergency wedding kit should contain everything you need to quickly fix problems on the go – pack a stain stick, sewing kit, double-sided tape, band-aids, tissues, dental floss and don’t forget your touch up lipstick.

8. Speeches

Anyone who plans on giving or reading a speech during your ceremony and reception should make multiple copies and give them to your wedding planner or a trusted friend. Having multiple copies on hand means you’ll be prepared if the person forgets their copy or if their phone battery dies at the end of the night and the speech is on it.

9. Family Heirlooms

Family heirlooms are a great way to personalize your wedding. For the groom, consider wearing a special tie or cufflink. For the bride, heirloom jewellery like your mother’s locket would be great. Alternatively, you can wear family heirlooms from the in-laws’ side to symbolize becoming part of a new family. If you’re afraid of losing these items, have a trusted family member hold on to them for you.

10. Gift plan

Family and friends are fond of giving gifts to help you celebrate the most important day of your life. While this is always well-intentioned, sometimes you may receive something that you have no use for. To avoid this, make a gift registry for your wedding. Plan for a table where guests can leave the gifts, or direct everyone to a specific person in charge of accepting the gifts on your behalf.

11. Rain plan

We all want to get married on a bright and sunny day, but sometimes mother nature has a different plan. Prepare for the worst with a rain plan, and your wedding can proceed as scheduled.

If you’ve got all these covered, then your wedding is ready to go. Touch base with all the wedding vendors and venues the week of your wedding to be assured that everything is in place on their end. You may find the most stunning wedding venues on  Vue on Halcyon. The day before, contact your hair and makeup artist to confirm their arrival time. The team at Instyle Hair for Brides provides an excellent hair and makeup service to brides all over Melbourne.