Your wedding day is finally here! After months (or years) of planning, you’re about to experience one of the most memorable days of your life. To help ensure everything runs smoothly, we’ve compiled these essential last minute wedding day tips to keep you calm, prepared, and ready to enjoy every moment.
Last minute wedding day tips – The week before…
Prepare your essentials
It might be that a lot of this isn’t needed but it will be there just in case. Create an emergency kit containing:
- Safety pins, tape, and a small sewing kit
- Paracetamol and any personal medications
- Breath mints and a small snack (granola bar or nuts)
- Tissues, blotting papers, and a small make-up touch-up kit
- Plasters and blister pads for uncomfortable shoes
- Deodorant and a travel-size perfume/cologne
Get some rest
While excitement might make sleep difficult, try to:
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening
- Take a warm bath with calming essential oils
- Set multiple alarms for the morning
- Charge all your devices overnight
Final checklist
- Confirm transportation arrangements for you and key wedding party members
- Pack your outfits, accessories, and honeymoon luggage
- Prepare any final payments
Check out some wedding transport ideas
The morning of…
Time will move quickly so trust the suppliers you have booked, your friends and family and relax in the knowledge they’ve got you.
Fuel your body
- Eat a substantial breakfast with protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats
- Stay hydrated with water throughout the day
- Keep light snacks available during preparations
- Limit caffeine to avoid jitters
Time management
- Get someone to check ceremony seating is allocated for the aisle walkers
- Add 30 minutes to every preparation estimate
- Have your wedding coordinator or a designated person handle any supplier questions
- Stick to your timeline but be flexible for small adjustments
- Start hair and makeup earlier than you think necessary
- Schedule quiet moments to center yourself
Photo opportunities
- Get bridesmaids to clear clutter from getting-ready spaces before photographers arrive
- Have all accessories, jewellery and special items ready for detail shots
- Consider a “first look” with your partner to ease ceremony nerves
- Plan for natural light when possible for getting-ready photos
- Don’t forget special moments with parents and the wedding party
At the venue
You might be getting ready at your venue. In which case, liaise with your co-ordinator. It’s their job to make sure you are happy.
Final touches
- Designate someone to do a final walkthrough of ceremony and reception spaces
- Check that personal items are in place (guest book, memorial photos, etc.)
- Visit the loo right before ceremony time
- Check the ring bearer hasn’t lost the rings!
Managing emotions
- Take a few minutes alone to centre yourself before the ceremony
- Remember to breathe deeply if nervousness hits
- It’s okay to feel emotional – keep tissues handy
- Focus on your partner during the ceremony to stay grounded
- Remember that small imperfections make beautiful memories
Here’s a wide selection of wedding venue ideas
Reception savvy
The pressure is very much off now however it’s important you still look after yourself with the useful tips below.
Self-care moments
- Make sure you actually eat something at your reception
- Designate a wedding party member to bring you drinks and check on needs
- Keep a touch-up kit in an accessible location
- Have comfortable shoes or slippers available for dancing
- Schedule short breaks to sit and absorb the atmosphere
Guest interactions
- Try to acknowledge each guest, even briefly
- Visit tables during dinner instead of time-consuming receiving lines
- Remember that you don’t need to spend equal time with everyone
- Assign someone to help elderly or special needs guests
- Have a signal with your partner or planner when you need “rescue” from long conversations
Timeline navigation
- Trust your vendors to keep things moving
- Be flexible with the schedule – moments might run long or short
- Communicate any last-minute changes to your coordinator
- Know when key moments are happening (special dances, cake cutting, etc.)
- Don’t rush your meal or special moments for the sake of the schedule
End of night considerations
The plan here is to pass on the jobs to others. Be happy in your wedding bubble in the knowldge that the last minute wedding day tips jobs are covered.
Preservation details
- Assign someone to collect important items (guest book, gifts, cake topper)
- Know who will take your wedding attire and when/how it will be cleaned
- Have a plan for preserving any floral arrangements you want to keep
- Make arrangements for leftover food and cake
- Designate someone to collect personal decorations
Transportation planning
- Confirm late-night transportation for you and any key guests
- Have your honeymoon luggage accessible but secure
- Keep a change of comfortable clothes handy
- Know the checkout procedures if staying at your venue or nearby hotel
- Consider having snacks available for the journey to your accommodation
Most importantly: Mental mindset
Embrace imperfection
Your wedding will have unexpected moments – these often become the most cherished memories. Perfection isn’t the goal; celebration is. Be yourselves and let your photographer capture the specialness.
Stay present
Throughout the day, take mental snapshots. Pause occasionally to look around and absorb the atmosphere, the faces, and the emotions.
Delegate completely
Once the day begins, hand over all responsibilities. Any problem that arises is someone else’s to solve – you have just one job: to be present and celebrate.
Connect intentionally
Make time for meaningful moments with your new spouse. Some couples schedule 5-10 minutes alone directly after the ceremony to absorb the moment together and every hour throughout the day.
Remember your why!
When stress appears, remind yourself why you’re getting married. The celebration is wonderful, but the commitment is what truly matters.
Love the image above? Checkout Emma & Gareth’s big day and their venue Hyde House.
Your wedding day will pass quickly, often feeling like a beautiful blur. These last minute wedding day tips will help you navigate the practical details so you can focus on what’s truly important: beginning this new chapter surrounded by those you love. When things don’t go according to plan (and something inevitably won’t), take a deep breath, smile, and remember that you’re marrying the person you love – everything else is just details.
One final piece of advice: Book a photographer who can go with the flow. Contact us here to see how we can help. Check out Bigeye Photography’s reviews.
