Members of The MOB on Facebook have asked if I could share planning details created from my timeline leading up to Kate’s wedding. Even as Kate celebrates her 5th Wedding Anniversary, I was able to dig out my 9X6 spiral binder with all my notes. As I read through my tasks I realize they are too specific to me; you won’t have to pick Matt up at the airport.
While I figure how best to present my timeline, let me offer some thoughts for your consideration just to get you thinking…
Ten days out….
Contact all vendors one last time.
Making a vendor list with contact name, phone number and e-mail addresses early on in planning is critical. Do include their cell phone numbers in case you need to contact them the day of the wedding. Have this list available to you the entire weekend of the wedding.
You will need to confirm dates, times and expected responsibilities with each vendor and ask if they have any questions.
Before making these calls…. and this is where visualizing comes in…picture in your mind what that vendor needs to do to get his/her job done.
For example:
Florist ~ Does the florist know where to deliver the boutonnières? (We had ours delivered to the church.) The bridesmaid flowers? Do you need someone at the church to receive your flowers? If you had a special corsage made for Grandma, who is responsible for making sure she receives it?
Musician ~ Will your church organist be playing music while people are being seated? (Ours showed up right as Kate walked down the aisle. Talk about panic.) Will the band be set up to play music during the cocktail hour?
Photographer ~ Is your photographer clear on where he will meet you for photos? Think through the time needed for dressing your bride and having a photo shoot. Be sure to allow plenty of time for both. Be clear a head of time on what family photos are to be taken. Time flies the day of the wedding and you don’t want to regret missing out on important pictures.
I know these sound like details that should be discussed during planning, but trust me, it is the small special details that often fall through the cracks. I remember my girlfriend being so disappointed that her menu cards were not placed on the reception tables. These are the items to be discussed one last time with your wedding vendors.
Go over your vendor list and make arrangements for any outstanding payments. Will you need to bring checks to the wedding?
Make a list of all vendors you will be tipping. Will you tip them in cash?
Prepare a detailed list of events, locations and times for your daughter’s Bridal Party and be sure everyone has a copy. Weddings create a party atmosphere and this group gets especially distracted!
Think through the logistics of moving people around.
For example:
Wedding Party: Who will bring the groomsmen to the church? Will they be taking a limo back to the reception venue? If your groomsmen and bridesmaids are bringing dates, do they have transportation while their partner is in the limo?
Grandparents: I love to see Grandparents walk down the aisle at weddings. They always appear so darn happy. Be sure a family member is assigned to assist them during the day, as you will be needed elsewhere to fill your role as Mother of the Bride.
I hope this helps in getting you thinking about the final details leading up to your daughter’s walk down the aisle. It seems like so much, but as you discover last minute items that need to be nailed down, you will also appreciate just how much work you have already done and what a fine job you did!
Marisa Baratelli