The Must-Have Last Minute Wedding Checklist for the Soon to Be Bride

Behold, the last-minute wedding checklist! No matter how big, small, crazy, casual, or ambitious your wedding day may be, a little organization is just what you need to match your vibe to the vision. From beauty prep and accessories to honeymoon travel and gown fittings, we’ve compiled a list of must-have items leading up in the weeks before happily ever after… Bookmark this page to catch every (fabulous) detail! 

(And while you’re waiting on deliveries and getting your bridal pedicure, scroll through Maggie Sottero Designs on TikTok for all things chic and fairytale-ready!)

Wedding Checklist Item 1: Get Your Marriage License

The most important thing we’ll mention in this wedding checklist is getting your marriage license before the wedding! You’d be surprised by how many couples forget this step, and there’s an important timeline here so take note…

Based on where you live, you’ll have to register for this license. You won’t be able to get married until at least 24 hours have passed between your ceremony and receiving your license. In some cases, the marriage license is good for up to 60 days, but may only be one day based on country or state. For some people, there is a waiting period after applying, and then again after approval. Read up on what is required of you beforehand to make sure your wedding day goes perfectly!

Checklist Item 2: Get All Your Accessories Together

At this point in the planning process, you probably have your dream dress ready to go. But what about bridal accessories? If you haven’t yet, we have a few accessories for you to consider:

• Hattie Veil

• Dionne Jacket

• Ruby Detachable Sleeves

Wedding Checklist Item 3: Finalize Your Living Situation

Moving in together is such an important step! Whether it is one that you have already taken or one that you’re planning to do after your wedding, make sure all conversations have been had and everything is in order before you and your partner tie the knot.

If you haven’t made that step yet, make sure your living situation is planned out for after your wedding day. Will you be finding a new place together? Are you going to buy a house after you’re married? Making a move to a new state? All important questions to have answered before your wedding day so you can be fully present on your wedding day instead of worrying about where you’re headed afterward.

Along with where you’ll live, a good thing to think about is how you’ll live. Have you and your partner talked about what daily life will look like for the two of you in your living situation? If you haven’t already, that could be a good conversation to have! Additionally, make sure you have a registry set up for friends and family to gift you with the things you two still need.

Checklist Item 4: Create Your Must-Have Photos List

PC: Studio Bonon Photo

It may seem like a small detail, but it makes all the difference! You don’t want your time taking wedding photos to be a frenzy, especially if you have a large wedding party. Providing your photographer with a list of must-have photos will give them a basic guideline to follow while going through the big day.

Getting-ready photos are a must, so if your photographer has a partner, make sure they separate for this part of the day! Pre-wedding photos are some of the best and are done well when candid. Make sure to have a combination of posed and natural, as this will help create photos that feel more real when looking back.

Wedding Checklist Item 5: Pack the Essentials Beforehand

Take it from us, when it comes to weddings it is always better to be overprepared than underprepared. As you prepare for your wedding day, make sure to add a packing checklist to your wedding checklist! Here are a few essentials that are important to bring for your big day:

• Pain relief spray or shoe inserts to keep you dancing the night away with your sweetheart instead of aching in your heels for hours
• Bobby pins and hair ties
• Extra makeup for touch-ups. Especially mascara, setting powder, and your wedding lip combo
• Fashion tape
• A quick snack and water bottle
• Deodorant
• Anti-chafing products
• Stain-remover pens
• Over-the-counter pain meds and/or allergy medication, especially if you’re having an outdoor wedding!

Checklist Item 6: Break in Your Wedding Heels

PC: Unknown | Georgina Harrison Photography

This may seem like a small wedding checklist item, but it’s a huge pain if not done! Wear your wedding shoes at least a few weeks beforehand, and again about a week before your wedding day. This will help get rid of those new shoe blisters that are so common. Plus, it’ll keep the heels nice and comfortable come wedding day. It will also make it easier to take running wedding photos, enjoy your first dance, and provide all-day comfort.

Finding a pair of comfortable wedding shoes seems like it doesn’t matter as much, but your feet will thank you the day after. Who knows, you might even be able to reuse these for future events!

Wedding Checklist Item 7: Double-Check Your Gown

PC: Lauren Anne Photography | Danielle Pilatic

Checking your wedding gown a week or less before your wedding is crucial! You may even consider scheduling another fitting about five days before the wedding, just in case there are some adjustments to make.

Don’t stop at the dress! This goes for trying on shoes, undergarments, your veil, etc! You want to make sure these items all work together and are still exactly how you picture them. If something doesn’t quite fit right, this gives you enough time to make adjustments and take items to the tailor. FYI a tailor usually takes less than a week to make those adjustments and you will be fitted then and there before and after the adjustments. This will keep the items as close to your sizing as possible, while still maintaining a budget.

Item 8: Review Printed Materials

PC: Unknown | Natalie Franke Photography

The last thing you want is for your programs, plaques, and stationary to have the wrong, or misspelled, names! Take a second look at your table cards, menus, programs, and anything else you have that is printed.

This doesn’t just go for your name and your significant other. Menu items and guest names are important to double-check as well! Give yourself at least a week before the wedding to do this so you have time to rush order items if you need to. There are plenty of rush stationary services that replicate and produce items in time for your wedding if needed.

Checklist Item 9: Arrange Reception Transportation if Needed

PC: Georgina Harrison Photography | Aaron and Jillian Photography

If you wedding is somewhere separate from where guests are residing, it is important to set up some form of transportation for your guests. Making sure there’s a safe way to get home is key, especially if you’re serving alcohol.

If you have out-of-town guests, consider transportation from hotels to the venue to avoid any sort of delay in the big day. Plus, it allows your guests to mingle and get to know one another!

Another good idea could be to set up a few different trips to and from the venue to the hotel as well! This gives guests a few chances to leave, catering to guests who want to leave early as well as those waiting for the last call.

However, you may not want to worry about this at all. We totally get it! Consider having a “last call” on your program so your guests know when you’re hoping to wrap up and they should head home. This helps lower any potential responsibility at the end of the night, so you can focus on yourself and your sweetheart.

Wedding Checklist Item 10: Finalize Your Beauty

PC: Unknown

As you get closer to your wedding, you should have your bridal hair and makeup inspo chosen, as well as a few other aspects of your wedding look: 

• Make sure you have your preferred products ordered or secured
• Let your makeup artist know about any allergies or sensitivities that you have
• A quick hair trim and low-key coloring can also be a fun way to prep for your bridal look
• Finding your nail inspo is also an important step. A few days before your wedding, make sure to grab your maid of honor and any other friends and family that you would like to get your bridal mani-pedi done with.

Checklist Item 11: Pack Your Honeymoon Bag

If you’re planning a honeymoon right after your wedding, make sure to get everything sorted before your big day! When the time comes to head off on your honeymoon, packing is the last thing you’ll want to worry about. (Yes, this last-minute wedding checklist has a last-minute honeymoon packing checklist too.) 

If you’re traveling internationally, consider these items as well:

• Make sure you have a visa if you need one. Start this process early to avoid any complications if you plan on being there for a while. 
• Every country is different, and some may not require one for up to 90 days, but others are a little more strict. Check this ahead of time. 
• Make sure you also have your passport and that it is up-to-date, along with all the necessary documentation to suit the requirements of whatever country you’re traveling to.
• Check for any necessary vaccinations, health prep, and documentation.

Wedding Checklist Item 12: Do a Final Walk Through and Organize Payments

PC: Caroline Lima Photography | Sophie Epton Photography

Finally, time for the walk-through. This is the last time you’ll see your venue before the big day and it is a good time to iron out any last-minute details or ask any final questions. This walk-through should include you, your fiance, your wedding planner (if you have one), the venue coordinator, and your contact for catering. During this time, you’ll want to finalize the floor plan, wedding day timeline, set-up list, and review all your vendor contracts to make sure everyone is on the same page.

It may be a tedious step, but organizing your vendor payments is an important one to having a successful wedding day. While you’ll already put down your deposits, payments for everything else will come shortly after the wedding. Make sure you have your vendor payments organized afterward to keep everything in order. Do this with payment trackers, or your normal calendar if that’s easiest for you.

One thing to remember about these payments is to create some sort of note your vendors can sign saying they received payment. Consider this an insurance policy.It might seem like a wedding checklist item you can keep off the list, but you’d be surprised how many vendors may misplace payment! Plus, this will allow you to keep track of who you’ve paid.

Ready to rock and roll? Find more prep tips and planning inspo on our Pinterest! Have the best wedding day ever! You’ve totally got this. 

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