Lyla Dejesus
The week before your wedding can be an extremely exciting but stressful time. There are many things to be done, from confirming final details with vendors to packing for your honeymoon. It's important to create a timeline for the wedding weekend and share it with your vendors, wedding party, and family. You should also confirm the final guest count and seating arrangements, make any last-minute payments, and prepare a wedding day emergency kit. It's also a good time to get beauty treatments and pack your wedding outfits and must-have items. Despite the long to-do list, it's crucial to relax and enjoy the lead-up to your special day.
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What You'll Learn
Confirm final guest count, seating arrangements, and table numbers
Confirming the final guest count, seating arrangements, and table numbers is an important step in the week leading up to your wedding. While you should have a good idea of the guest count a few weeks before the wedding, there may be some last-minute changes and requests from guests. Finalising the guest list will allow you to make final payments to your vendors, although you can ask to pay early if there are stragglers to avoid discussing payments on your wedding day or during your honeymoon.
To make it easier for your guests to find their seats, you can arrange them alphabetically according to their last names. Once you have your final seating chart, confirm the table numbers and organise your escort cards. You can also create place cards for your guests. It is also a good idea to brief your wedding party members, ushers, and anyone with special duties on their exact roles and responsibilities.
In the week leading up to the wedding, you should also pack your wedding day essentials, including your phone charger, wallet, rings, and any other must-have items. If you are getting ready at a hotel or the venue, be sure to pack your attire and create a wedding day emergency kit with snacks, beauty supplies, tape, and over-the-counter medicines. You can also use this time to break in your wedding shoes and try on your full ensemble to ensure comfort and avoid any surprises on the big day.
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Finalise payments to vendors, caterers, and suppliers
Finalising payments to vendors, caterers, and suppliers is an important task to complete during the week of your wedding. This will ensure that you can fully enjoy your special day without worrying about any outstanding financial obligations. Here are some detailed instructions to help you finalise these payments:
Confirm Final Guest Count and Head Count:
Before finalising payments, confirm your final guest count and head count. This is important because the number of guests will impact the costs associated with catering, venue space, and other arrangements. Contact your guests to confirm their attendance and make any necessary adjustments to your head count.
Calculate Outstanding Balances:
Once you have the final head count, calculate the outstanding balances owed to each vendor, caterer, and supplier. Review your contracts and invoices to determine the agreed-upon rates and payment terms. Calculate the total amount owed to each party, taking into account any deposits or partial payments already made.
Prepare the Necessary Funds:
Ensure you have the necessary funds available to make the final payments. This may involve transferring funds, arranging cash payments, or preparing cheques. If you are using cheques, have them made out to the correct payees to streamline the process.
Communicate with Vendors, Caterers, and Suppliers:
Reach out to each vendor, caterer, and supplier to confirm the outstanding balance and your intended payment method. This step is crucial, as some vendors may have specific payment policies or preferred methods of payment. Communicate any changes to the original agreement and confirm that they are aware of your payment plans.
Finalise Payments:
Proceed to make the final payments as agreed upon. If possible, obtain receipts or written confirmation of payment from each vendor, caterer, and supplier. This will provide you with a record of your transactions and ensure peace of mind that everything has been taken care of.
Handle Gratuities and Tips:
In addition to finalising payments, don't forget to prepare gratuities and tips for your vendors, caterers, and suppliers. Decide on the amount you wish to give and designate someone to distribute these on your wedding day or at the end of their services.
By following these steps, you can confidently finalise your payments and focus on enjoying your wedding celebrations. It is always a good idea to stay organised and communicate any changes or queries with your vendors to ensure a smooth process during this busy week.
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Create a wedding day emergency kit
A wedding day emergency kit is a collection of essentials to fix any problems that might crop up on your big day. It's a good idea to put one together in the week of the wedding, as this is when you'll be thinking of all the little things that could go wrong. Talk to your partner and your wedding planner about what to include, and walk through the day, considering various 'what if' situations.
- A mini sewing kit, including needles and thread that match the colour of your wedding dress and the bridal party's outfits.
- Double-sided tape and fashion tape.
- Deodorant.
- Blotting pads, concealer, mascara, and setting spray.
- Lip colour for touch-ups.
- Nail polish that matches your manicure/pedicure, in case of any chips.
- Eyelash glue if you're wearing false eyelashes.
- Spare contacts, glasses, or sunglasses if you need them.
- Sole inserts and Solemates heel protectors if you're having an outdoor wedding.
- A Tide To Go pen, Shout Wipes, baby powder, and/or white chalk to remove or hide any stains.
- Clear nail polish to stop snags.
- A healthy snack in case you get hungry before the ceremony.
- Xanax or other emergency medication.
Your wedding day emergency kit is also a good place to store any jewellery you plan to wear, along with a cleaning kit to ensure it's in top shape.
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Finalise beauty treatments and grooming appointments
Finalising beauty treatments and grooming appointments is an important part of the week before your wedding. This is the time to have any extra beauty treatments like manicures and pedicures. It is advisable to get eyelash extensions at the beginning of the week, so you have time to adjust to them. Other treatments such as facials, waxing, teeth whitening and lash extensions should be completed at least a week before the wedding. Even if you've had these treatments before, there's always a chance of a bad reaction, and that's not something you want to deal with right before your wedding. Services like airbrush tans, manicures, and pedicures can be done two or three days ahead of time.
For the groom, consider scheduling a hot shave and a haircut during the week before the wedding. It is also important to ensure you have all the beauty supplies you need for your wedding day emergency kit.
If you are writing your own vows, the week before the wedding is a good time to finalise them. You should also use this time to confirm the final headcount with your caterer and provide entrée selections. If you are doing welcome bags for guests, drop them off at their hotels before the first guest checks in.
The week before the wedding is also a good time to pack your bags. If you are going on your honeymoon straight after the wedding, pack two suitcases: one with all the essentials for the wedding weekend and another with the clothes and toiletries for your trip. If you are staying at a hotel or the venue the night before the wedding, be sure to pack your must-have wedding day items, along with your attire, beforehand.
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Confirm arrival times and day-of timeline with vendors
Confirming arrival times and a day-of timeline with vendors is a crucial aspect of the week leading up to your wedding. Here are some detailed steps to ensure a seamless process:
Create a Comprehensive Timeline:
Work with your wedding planner and/or venue coordinator to craft a meticulous timeline for your entire wedding day, from the early morning preparations to the final send-off when the last vendor departs. This timeline should account for every detail, including setup times, specific moments during the ceremony and reception, and breakdown or cleanup times.
Communicate the Timeline to Vendors:
Once your timeline is finalised, share it with all your vendors. This communication ensures everyone is on the same page and aware of their specific arrival and setup times. It's also an opportunity to confirm they have all the information they need from you.
Finalise Details with Vendors:
The week before your wedding is the time to consult with your vendors about any last-minute details. This includes providing a final headcount and entree selections to your caterer, confirming table and seating arrangements with your venue, rentals company, florist, and caterer, and finalising the wedding-day playlist with your band, DJ, and musicians.
Designate a Point Person:
Consider assigning a trusted individual, such as a wedding planner, bridesmaid, or groomsman, to be the point of contact for your vendors on the day of the wedding. This person can handle any vendor-related queries or issues that may arise, allowing you to fully enjoy your special day without distractions.
Prepare Vendor Payments:
Ensure that all final payments or instalments are ready to be made to your vendors. It's advisable to finalise these payments before your wedding day or honeymoon to avoid last-minute stress. If there are outstanding balances, discuss with the vendors whether you can pay in advance.
Remember, effective communication with your vendors is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable wedding day. Don't hesitate to ask for help from your wedding party, family, or friends, as they will likely be thrilled to assist in any way they can.
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Frequently asked questions
The week of the wedding is a great time to get beauty treatments like manicures and pedicures, pick up your wedding outfits, pack your wedding day essentials, and confirm final details with your vendors.
Confirm a final headcount and entree selections with your caterer, share a wedding-day timeline with your planner, and communicate arrival times with all vendors. Also, discuss the shot list and schedule with your photographer and videographer, and confirm the playlist with your band, DJ, and ceremony musicians.
Your wedding day emergency kit should include essentials like snacks, beauty supplies, tape, and over-the-counter medicines.
It's important to relax and enjoy the moments leading up to your wedding. Ask for help from friends and family, and lean on your vendors to ensure everything is on track.
Finalize your vows, create a seating chart, and confirm table numbers and escort cards. Also, make any last-minute changes to the table plan, and pack your bags for the wedding weekend and honeymoon if you're leaving soon after the wedding.
