Planning a wedding is a beautiful, exciting journey—but let’s be real: it can also be overwhelming. Between booking the venue, choosing the perfect dress, and finalizing your guest list, it's easy for smaller details to fall through the wedding planning cracks. And while they might seem minor at first, these overlooked details can seriously impact how your wedding day runs—and how relaxed you feel while soaking it all in.
To help you stay one step ahead and decrease the stress on your wedding day, we’ve compiled our top 10 wedding day details you shouldn’t overlook. These are the little things that make a big difference on your wedding day.
#01: Create a Wedding Day Emergency Kit
If you don’t have one yet – make one. Or, check with your wedding planner or day of coordinator and see if they have one. You may think that you're invisible to emergencies, or hear a wedding day horror story and think “that will never happen to me.” But, trust us – it CAN happen. We’ve had everything from zippers break on bridesmaids dresses to the bustle breaking on a wedding dress. And the one thing that saved the day was our trusty emergency kit. We were able to sew the bridesmaid into her dress and safety pin that french bustled up. Your emergency kit is your behind-the-scenes lifesaver. From minor wardrobe malfunctions to unexpected headaches, a wedding day emergency kit will have your back. Our MUST haves when stocking our kit are:
Safety Pins
Fashion Tape
Face Blotting Papers
Scissors
Stain Remover Pins
Mints
Lighter
Black Pens
Chalkboard and Paint Pens
Bobby Pins
Deodorant
Mini Sewing Kit
Band-Aids
Tampons/Pads
Pain Relievers
Make sure someone in your bridal party knows where it is and is in charge of keeping it nearby. You may not need it, but if you do—you’ll be so glad it’s there.
#02: Feed Your Vendors
People are happier when they are fed. That’s just the honest truth. Did you know that some of your vendors spend 10 or more hours on their feet the day of your wedding? I can’t tell you how good of a feeling it is to be well-fed at a wedding. Not only are we hungry, but it keeps your vendor team happy and energized. As you make your final counts with your caterer, include your vendors and ask how many individuals will be present from each vendor party. Talk to your caterer and ensure there are vendor meals available or that they are able to eat the served food. Feed them at an appropriate and reasonable time.
#03: The Marriage License
We’re going to tell you a story. A couple many, many, years ago found out that they were never legally married. Their officiant had never mailed their marriage license. Sounds like a horror story right? Your marriage license is the big parting gift from your wedding day. It is the one document that makes everything legal - it’s the thing that counts. Make sure it’s packed, pre-filled before the ceremony. We recommend signing it directly after the reception and if you’re not mailing it out, ensure that it will be sent with your officiant or someone who is trustworthy. Some states require you to return it within a specific time frame after the wedding—so assign someone to keep it safe and send it back promptly. And before you send it off, take a picture of the signed license, just in case it gets misplaced. Then follow up with the courthouse or county office to ensure that it was received.
#04: Share the Timeline
Timelines are the backbone of the overall coordination. If you are creating your own timeline, or your planner is doing it for you – it should be shared with your vendor team, wedding party, and any additional people that MUST know. Include key moments like:
Rental Pick-ups
Vendor arrivals and departures
Hair and Makeup Appointments
First Look
Ceremony Start Time
Reception Details
Exit Time
Venue Closing Time
Even a simple, one-page overview can prevent dozens of last-minute questions and keep everyone moving smoothly through the day.
#05: List of Must Have Photo Shots
Photographers are skilled at capturing natural, candid moments—but they won’t know which formal or family photos matter most to you unless you tell them. Sit down ahead of time and list out the must-have groupings: grandparents, cousins, college friends, etc. It’s also helpful to assign a “photo wrangler” from your family who knows everyone’s names and can help organize people quickly. Whoever is assigned, and if you have a wedding planner we suggest you speak to them on this, give them the list. It would even be smart to include this on your timeline and let your VIPs know that they will be needed post ceremony. Don’t forget detail shots, either—bouquets, centerpieces, signage, and those hand-written vows.
#06: Wear Comfortable Shoes
We love fashionable shoes. But, we also love a comfortable couple. If you’ve packed some killer shoes for your ceremony, please pack a back-up pair. It is okay to swap out of your heels and wear a pair of shoes that you can dance the night away. You don’t want to stress about the pain in your feet or be begging for relief. So, just plan ahead. And even if you don’t need a change, bring a back up pair. You’ll be able to move throughout the night without pain and enjoy the dance floor.
#07: Create a Plan for Gifts and Cards
As the night wraps up, it is vital to create a plan of how everything gets home and with who. You will want to designate one person to support you with gifts and cards. Yes, only one. This person should be a VIP or someone that you trust. And don’t forget the thank you cards. If you’re on the fence about thank you cards, we’ve got a blog for that. They are essential, so don’t think you can skimp on sending out those thank you’s. Plan on keeping a record of who gave what and send that thank you card out within 6 weeks of your wedding day.
#08: Keep it Guest Friendly
As much as this day is your wedding, it is a chance for you to celebrate with your guests. Your guests have traveled near and far to attend your wedding. They’ve figured out their accommodations, rentals, airfare etc. So, creating little gestures to support their comfort will go a long way. Create little signs that can support and direct your guests throughout the evening. Welcome your guests and thank them for their support and attendance. Provide your guests with water, especially in the summer months. Whatever you do, be intentional with it and work to make a welcoming event and space for your guests.
#09: Go With the Flow
Along with the timeline, comes consideration of the flow of the evening. The ideal wedding has great flow, meaning it feels effortless. Sometimes, it can happen by accident, but create your timeline with smart, built in transitions. Plan every detail out, even including how guests will know to move from the ceremony to cocktail hour, or that it’s time to head to the grand exit. You’ll even need to think about what your guests will do while waiting and create a plan. Smooth transitions will create a polished event and keep your guests full of joy.
#10: Time to Soak it In
We always tell our couples to enjoy all the moments, because it goes by in a blink of an eye. Try to plan purposeful moments for you and your spouse. Create a moment, or two to just soak in your new marriage and each other. We always recommend signing your license directly after the ceremony and having a private moment. Speak with your caterer and see if they can create a little plate of appetizers with a bottle of your favorite champagne to enjoy together. Then take some time, it doesn’t have to be an hour, it can be as little as 15-20 mintues. Whether it's a private first look, a moment after the ceremony, or even sneaking away during sunset for a quick walk or photo session. These intentional pauses are when you’ll catch your breath, look at each other, and really feel the magic of it all. It may be one of the few moments all day that you’re truly alone together.
While big-ticket items like venues and vendors often steal the spotlight, it’s the small, thoughtful details that turn a good wedding into a great one. From emergency kits and comfy shoes to thoughtful signage and time to breathe, paying attention to these often-overlooked details will help your wedding day run smoothly—and feel extra meaningful. But, at the end, it’s important to remember that perfection isn’t the goal and nor will it probably be happy. But, planning the details and accounting for the “what ifs” will give you the opportunity to relax, have fun, and fully enjoy your wedding day.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.