How to Create a Plan for Your Wedding Day — or Wedding Weekend

You’ve been dreaming of your wedding day for a while. But have you pictured how the day will look — or what you want it to feel like? We’re not talking about the design (which is going to be beautiful!). Instead, we’re talking about the things that don’t always get on the traditional wedding planning timeline.

Don’t worry if you haven’t thought about it! We’ve got you covered with some helpful tips on how to plan a wedding day with no regrets.

Photo // Feather & Twine

5 TIPS FOR PLANNING IMPORTANT MOMENTS INTO YOUR WEDDING EXPERIENCE

So many couples get to the big day focused on the result, and they miss out on some of the little, important things that make their day more enjoyable. Spoiler: That’s not going to happen to you now!

1. Picture your wedding week, day, weekend — and imagine how you want that to feel.

When we say picture your wedding day, that’s what we mean. Think about how it looks when you wake up. What are you eating, who are you with, what is the pace of the day?

Questions to ask yourself —

• Do you want time alone that morning — or time together?
• Do you want to get up early or sleep in?
• Are you at your home, your family’s home, or are you in another location?
• What does your week need to look like to arrive at your wedding day relaxed and calm?
• What self-care appointments do you need to schedule?
• What do you need to cover with your planner in order to make sure that your wedding week, while full, isn’t overwhelming?

2. Think about what you want to do with your bridal party — and plan accordingly.

In wedding planning, the important things can be cut to accommodate the urgent things. However, when it comes to your bridal party, it’s important to feel connected and comfortable as a group. With that in mind, think through how you would like your (and their) experience to be on the wedding weekend.

Questions to ask yourself —

• Are you having a big group that needs to get to know each other? Or is it all family?
• Would you like to spend time with just the bridesmaids?
• Do you want to do an activity as a group before the rehearsal dinner?
• When do you want to schedule those activities?
• Do you want to get together after the wedding? (Day-After Brunch or have a reunion after the honeymoon — or even make them part of your anniversary party!)
• Will you be getting them gifts? If so, will that be paying for their hair and makeup or something else?

3. Make time for family — and making memories.

The day itself — and even an entire weekend can pass so quickly and be filled with lots of busyness. So take time to think through what you would like to do with your family (or close friends) before your wedding day.

Questions to ask yourself —

• How much time do you want to spend with your family leading up to the wedding weekend?
• Are there any specific family members that you would like to schedule time with?
• Are there any particular family traditions you would like to do before the wedding?
• What would you be sad not to do with the family before your wedding? (A family movie night just like when you were kids or maybe a road trip, etc.)

4. Talk through expectations with your significant other.

This is a weekend for your both. While you may be planning a wedding together, it’s important to check in with each other about expectations of how the actual wedding weekend is going to go. Doing this helps avoid needless frustrations brought on by unmet expectations and allows you to enjoy and make the most of those precious moments before the big day!

Questions to ask yourself —

• Have you talked about what each of you will be doing on the wedding weekend?
• Are you clear on the responsibilities and expectations you have of each other?
• Have you scheduled a time to make sure any vows or letters are ready ahead of time?
• How do you want to spend the day before, the evening before, and even hours before the wedding?

5. Communicate any questions related to these plans with your planner.

Once you have determined what is most important to you that may not appear on the wedding timeline, you should talk through these with your planner to see if they need to be added to the timeline — or factored into the logistics planning.

Your wedding planner or coordinator is there to help you and make sure your wedding day is a truly special experience for you and your spouse. Be sure to communicate these items and see where he or she can help.

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOUR WEDDING APPROACHES

Remember, your wedding day is too important to be all about efficiency only. While logistics are essential, let your planner help you champion that. It’s up to you to schedule the other important details that don’t show up on the timeline.

Now that you have thought through your wedding weekend experience, there’s one more piece of advice. That advice is to be willing to compromise (the best-laid plans of mice and men — as the saying goes). You may have ten things on your list, and you have to cut to five because schedules change and priorities shift. That’s okay.

Be mindful of what is truly important to you on the day. Write it down on a piece of paper — or your notes app and use that to remind yourself during the process — and on the day, if needed, so you can prioritize what is important. It doesn’t matter if some logistic snags happen or if everything isn’t perfect. Hold on to the things that matter most —your fiancé, your family and the little moments.