Wedding Day Checklist - 9 Things to Check for the Big Day!

After being a bridesmaid in so many weddings and helping my friends plan their weddings, I've narrowed down a list of my top 9 things that I think a bride needs to do to prepare for their big day. Here they are in no particular order:

1.  Schedule

This is one of the most important things a bride should do. Create a schedule, but beyond that, distribute it to all of your bridal party, family and friends. One of my friends even had a family meeting with her family to walk through the wedding day schedule with them. All of this helped her family be more prepared on the big day AND helped them remain calm. She didn't get any questions like "what's next?," "what's going on?" So, brides to be. Create a schedule. Make it detailed. Give one to everyone. Review it with everyone. Post it everywhere.

Prepare all of your attire. This means: the dress, the undergarments, the makeup, the jewelry, the wedding shoes, the hair pieces. Start from top to bottom and make sure you have a full inventory of everything you will be wearing on that day. Don't forget the little details like undergarments. Also, don't forget anything else like stickies or that lipstick you want to use to reapply throughout the night. Put it all in one place, assign one of your bridesmaids or family members to make sure it is all there and to help you bring it over for the big day.

3.  Music

Check and review all of the music. What are you playing for the ceremony? What are you playing for your grand entrance? What do you want the DJ to play during the dinner and during his breaks? Although this seems easy, there are so many things to choose from, and the music changes so much throughout the day that you will have to spend a significant amount of time going through this with your fiance and then making sure the DJ or whoever is in charge of the music, has all of the pieces you want them to play.

Right after the ceremony, you and your fiance, the officiant, and 2 witnesses will have to sign your marriage documents making them legal. Don't forget to bring these documents. Usually, you have to get your marriage license first, and then after the officiant marries you, you have to send in your marriage paperwork. Check online at the local county courthouse where you will be getting married for more details. They will have all of the information and instructions there.

Although this may not fall in your area, make sure that everyone who will be giving a speech has a lot of time prepared beforehand. I once saw a best man get up there in front of the crowd and completely wing it. He ended up inadvertently insulting the bride when he was trying to compliment her! The whole thing was a disaster, so make sure that everyone is well prepared. From your dad and the groom's dad, who may or may not be giving a speech, to the best man, maid of honor, and even you and the groom. The two of you may give a thank you speech and you should make sure you know who you are thanking in the process.

I list this separately because this is what you stand on all night. Although you may have picked out your shoes already, and they may be these gorgeous ivory wedding shoes, these fantastic shoes may really hurt at the end of the night and ruin your night. Make sure you break them in, insert shoe pads, or just buy an extra pair of flip flops to change into at the end of the night. Just remember, if you do that, make sure the heel of the flip flops are high enough so your dress doesn't drag on the ground.

Although your venue may provide these for you, you and your fiance may want your own set to remember the day by. Regardless, decide beforehand, figure out if you're going to let you your fiance smudge cake on your face, and make sure the two of you have the items you need to do this fantastic ritual. One couple I knew had no idea what to do for this and didn't bring any utensils. They rushed at the last minute and just used the venue's items, but regretted that later on. Another couple bought special champagne toasting glasses and bring them out on their anniversary each year.

Although you and your photographer may have discussed what photos you want, just remember to write down a list of all of the people you want to make sure you have photos with. Too many times, brides don't do this and see their wedding day pictures without certain friends and family that they really wanted to take a picture with. Write this list down for your photographer and try to take the pictures right after the ceremony so you will at least have one picture to remember the day with your guests. One friend of mine really regretted not having one. Her grandmother was in the bathroom while the family pictures were taken and she never got a good photo with her to remember her by.

Although your florist will handle all of this, make sure that you've given her a list of everything you want. Also, double check the freshness of the type of flowers you will be having. If the flowers are out of season, sometimes, they won't be as fresh. 2 weeks before, make sure all of the flowers you've chosen are fresh and ready for your big day! Flowers are such an important part of the decor and you don't want them to look wilted on your big day.