WEDDING MORNING CHECKLIST
What to gather and prepare the week before your wedding.
A guide from your photographer (aka someone who’s been to a lot of weddings)
There’s a particular kind of week that arrives just before your wedding. The dress has been collected. The venue is ready. Suppliers are doing their thing. And yet, in the quiet between the big decisions – there are small, meaningful things worth thinking about. Not because anything will go wrong if you don’t, but because a little bit of calm planning now creates space for soaking in and enjoying every minute of getting ready for your big day.
Please don’t allow this guide to add any pressure, it’s designed to help you feel organised, relaxed, and ready, while also making sure your wedding morning photography is beautifully observed and unhurried.
Save this, forward it to your bridal party, and tick things off as you go.
the room
your getting ready room
The photographs in your preparation space are some of the most intimate of the day. So much anticipation and love between those you’ve chosen to be there, it’s a different feeling from the rest of the day.
Here are some things to think about:
Your hair and makeup suppliers will know best where to set up for the actual getting ready, but when it comes to getting the dress on and final touches like jewellery, veil and perfume:
- If possible, choose a room with space and natural light, no big lights for photos
- Keep one area of that room clear of clutter
- Think about who you want in there with you when it’s time to put on your dress
- Make sure those people know they’ve to be ready, dressed, relaxed and helpful.
Have water and your favourite snacks to hand. Now is not the time to be experimenting with food and adrenaline is not a substitute for breakfast.
Think about your bags. You don’t need matching luxury luggage, or to go out and buy anything new, but seven bags for life scattered across the room will find their way into photographs you’d rather they didn’t, and it will feel chaotic. Even a very big box is easier to move out of the way!
Create a playlist and bring a speaker. The right music does something to a room. To set the pace, shape the mood and build the memories. Curate something that feels like you – and let it play from the moment you arrive.
KNOW YOUR DRESS
SOME THINGS WORTH CONFIRMING THIS WEEK
Will your dress need to be steamed? How long will that take and who is doing it? Many household steamers will leave water marks which can be even worse on coloured bridesmaid dresses, so maybe worth a power hour the night before to make sure everything is pristine.
How long does it take to fasten? If the back is intricate – buttons, a long lace closure, corset ties – double whatever time you think it needs. Then add a little more. Dressing is not a moment to rush, and it shouldn’t be.
Does your dress bustle, and do you know how? Find out now, not immediately after the first dance when all the best tunes are on and everyone is looking for the person who knows the answer.
your schedule
WHERE CALM IS CREATED OR LOST
Work backwards from the moment you need to be dressed, veil on, flowers in hand, a minimum of 30 minutes before you want to leave for the ceremony (not 30mins from when your ceremony is due to start). Build your schedule from there, factoring in hair, makeup, dressing, photographs, reveals, little tiny meltdowns, and time to simply exist in the day before it begins. The bride should never go last for hair and makeup.
If your hair and makeup artists haven’t already sent a schedule, ask them for their input. If you’re coordinating the morning yourself, build generous buffers at every stage as things always take slightly longer than expected.
A morning that runs slightly ahead of itself feels completely different to one that’s chasing time.
Some common oversights on wedding mornings:
- Underestimating how long it will take to get a wedding dress on
- Bridesmaids and family not knowing when to get their outfits on
- Trying to get matching pyjama pictures when your bridal party are scattered through hair and makeup
- Too many people in a small space
- Clutter creating a feeling of chaos
- Not accounting for the time it will take to get everyone from getting ready to ceremony (even if it is all in the same building)
PHONES, GROUP CHATS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
I recommend beginning to step away from social media as soon as possible. Comparison can kill your joy and anything you see now that you’ve not already booked, or thought of, is not worth your time.
The morning of your wedding, if you must have your phone:
- Mute unnecessary group chats
- Put one person in charge of supplier queries
- Your nervous system matters more than last-minute Pinterest scrolling!
for the boys
set a SCHEDULE
The men in your wedding party often take less time to get ready, but that doesn’t mean their morning needs less structure.
It doesn’t need to be a long list, but make sure there is a plan for:
- Knowing how the clothes go on – could be kilt shoes, or a bow tie, but a YouTube video shared in advance, with a quick practice can go a long way
- Make sure any hired outfits actually fit, and go to the correct person
- Who will have the rings
- What is happening for breakfast
- When and where are they getting button holes delivered? Does anyone know how to pin them on?
THE DETAILS WORTH GATHERING
THE DETAIL PICTURES
The detail or flatlay photographs are what I’ll focus on when I first arrive. It helps me meet some of your party while I ask them for a little help, and it gets everyone used to me (and my camera) being around. Not to mention you’ll know I’m there and ready to go, without anyone feeling like they’re not hair and makeup, camera ready.
The pictures don’t require much: a surface, good light, and a little thought beforehand about what you’d like included.
If any of the following feel meaningful to you, gather them together before the day. If they don’t, please leave them. These should be photographs of things that matter, not a checklist for its own sake. Do not scramble for any of this if it doesn’t mean anything to you.
Stationary & words
Your invitation suite – save the date, invitation, envelope, inserts. If you’ve written vows, speeches or letters to each other, these photograph beautifully alongside the rings.
Rings
All three if possible – your engagement ring and both wedding bands. I can help you think through how to get the bands to the right people before the ceremony.
Other jewellery & accessories
Earrings, a necklace, hairpieces, your veil, and shoes anything worn and meaningful.
Scent and lipstick
Your perfume bottle particularly if it’s been especially chosen for your wedding. A little reminder of what you’ve chosen for your day.
Florals
Ask your florist for a few extra stems – even two or three loose flowers will tie everything together. You don’t need a full arrangement; a stem of something beautiful is enough.
Something old, new, borrowed and blue
But only if you’re following the tradition anyway!
Fabric & texture
Ribbon or a swatch from your bridesmaid dresses, a tie or pocket square from the groomsmen, any hand-dyed or hand-made element from your décor. These threads of detail connect the whole day.
Groom details
His tie, cufflinks, aftershave, buttonhole. These deserve the same attention as yours.
The bouquets
Your florist will likely deliver your flowers in a little water to keep them as fresh as possible. They may give you their own instructions, but if not, make sure the bouquets are out of water and drying off at least 15mins before anyone in a dress picks them up. The last thing we need is water stains running down the front of you all.
Comfortable shoes
If we’re walking to a portrait location – across a field, along a lane, through a garden – bring flip flops, trainers or crocs. Your feet will thank you. Even five minutes out of your wedding shoes can feel like a little gift to yourself.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
You don’t need to manufacture a perfect Pinterest morning. The pressure is not worth it. You’ll already have gathered the best people, the only other things you need for a fun morning and great pictures are some nice light, a bit of space, a realistic timeline and a little organisation.
Please also remember none of this checklist is compulsory. You’ll never look back and wish you’d bought more props, you’ll only remember how you felt. What this guide is supposed to offer is a little help with preparation so that the atmosphere in the room on the day feels intentional, unhurried and all yours.
If there’s anything you’d like to talk through with me this week, or you need someone to calm you down if you’re having a bit of a flap, just reach out and I’m here to help!