Top 10 Must-Have Items to Have on Your Wedding Day

The average couple spends 1-9 hours planning their wedding every week! With a typical engagement lasting 13-18 months, that means you’ve likely spent hundreds of hours poring over wedding details.

When your big day finally comes, you want to ensure it goes off without a hitch. This starts with making sure you have everything you need for the day.

Don’t know where to start? Keep reading to discover 10 things you absolutely must have on your wedding day.

1. Bridal Attire

It’s not likely that you’ll forget your wedding dress before you leave home. However, there are a lot of small pieces that make up your bridal attire, including your:

• Dress
• Veil
• Shoes
• Accessories
• Hair accessories
• Garter
• Shapewear
• Underwear

In addition to the underwear you plan to wear under your dress, you’ll also want to bring your special bridal lingerie and make sure it gets to your honeymoon suite. Those having religious or cold-weather weddings may also want to bring some type of shoulder covering.

2. An Overnight Bag

It can be all too easy to focus on your day-of attire and forget to bring something to wear when you check out the next day. Many couples opt to wear matching “husband” and “wife” shirts, especially if you have a final breakfast or brunch planned for your guests.

Your overnight bag should also have basic toiletries and makeup remover. You’ll want to bring a nice shampoo, conditioner, and detangling spray to ensure you can get all that hairspray out and brush away any big knots.

If you plan on leaving for your honeymoon immediately after checkout, make sure you have your luggage packed and with you on your big day!

3. Remaining Décor

Are you able to set up your ceremony and reception the night before your wedding? Great—you can go ahead and skip this step!

If you can’t set up until the morning of, you’ll want to drop off as much décor as possible the day before your wedding. Create a wedding décor checklist and put a checkmark next to every item after it gets dropped off at the venue. Double-check this list before you leave, and bring any remaining décor with you.

To help you stay organized, keep this checklist with you as you’re decorating. Once you finish setting up a section, you can cross this off for good. Before you leave to get ready, do one final sweep to make sure everything is ready.

4. Gifts

Some couples choose to exchange meaningful gifts or read love letters during first looks. If you have something special planned, make sure you have your letter or gift with you.

Another popular tradition is to give your bridesmaids or groomsmen a small gift before you walk down the aisle. Some couples choose to gift special jewelry or cufflinks, so your wedding party must have this when you’re getting ready.

5. Wedding Bands

The last thing you want is to be in the middle of your ceremony and realize that you don’t have your wedding bands! Some couples choose to give their bands to a reliable and trustworthy member of their wedding party. Whether you choose to hold onto them yourself or entrust a loved one, you’ll want to double-check that your wedding bands make it to the ceremony location.

6. Marriage License

Your wedding isn’t legal unless you sign a marriage license. Make sure you bring this with you and sign it after the ceremony, so you can officially be husband and wife!

7. Your Vows

One of the best ways to make your wedding special is to write your vows. If you choose to go this path, you’ll likely spend some time trying to figure out the right way to express your feelings for one another.

You don’t want to try and come up with something on the spot! Make sure you bring your vows with you on your wedding day and give them to your maid of honor or best man to hold while you walk down the aisle.

8. Emergency Kit

Nobody likes to think about what could go wrong on their wedding day, but it’s best to prepare for an emergency.

A needle threaded with white thread is vital in case a button falls off your dress or a bead comes loose. You’ll also want to bring a stain removing pen in case you or someone in your wedding party spills something on their outfit.

You’ll be so busy running around on your wedding day that you may forget something simple, like brushing your teeth. A travel-sized bottle of mouthwash can be a real lifesaver to ensure you get a romantic first kiss. It’s also important to bring some extra deodorant because dancing can work up a sweat!

9. Vendor Contact Information

You likely spent a ton of time researching different vendors to find one that is affordable and reliable. Unfortunately, things can still go wrong. You’ll want to bring phone numbers for all your vendors (or save them in your phone) in case you need to reach one of them.

10. Vendor Tips

Hopefully, all your vendors will show up on time and deliver an amazing product or service. If this is the case, you may want to give them a tip. This is especially true if your florist followed bouquet trends you like to a tee or if your DJ went above and beyond to get the party started.

The easiest way to stay organized is to use several envelopes. Write a vendor’s name on each envelope and include your cash tip. This way, all you have to do is bring the envelopes and hand them out.

Your Wedding Day Checklist

Make sure you don’t forget anything on your big day! Instead, follow the list above to ensure you have everything you need before you get in the car.

Looking for more tips to help your wedding go smoothly? Check out the rest of our website for more advice on how to live your best life!