Wedding Day Preparation Guide

These are a collection of small tips and things to think about ahead of the wedding day. None of these are rules. They’re simply things that tend to help the day run smoothly and avoid common hiccups I’ve seen over the years.

Many of them are small details people don’t think about until the moment happens, so this is just a way to make the day easier and more enjoyable.

Getting Ready Tips

Natural light helps photos
If possible, try to have hair, makeup, and getting dressed happen near a window with natural light. It keeps photos soft and natural looking.

Keep one small area tidy
Getting-ready rooms naturally fill up with bags, clothes, makeup, and drinks. If possible, keeping one area near a window relatively clear makes photos easier and avoids having to move a lot of things around.

Save inspiration photos offline
Cell phone service at venues can be spotty. If you have hair inspiration photos, makeup references, or dress tying instructions, save them directly to your phone’s photo gallery so they’re available even without service.

Bride & Bridesmaids

A small emergency kit during getting ready can be incredibly helpful. Most of these are things that people end up asking for on the day if they aren’t already nearby.

Helpful items to have around:

• Spare bobby pins
• Emergency sewing kit
• Small scissors
• Spray deodorant (helps avoid the white residue that stick deodorants can leave on dresses)
• Fashion tape / dress tape for straps or neckline adjustments
• Adhesive bra cups or stick-on support for certain necklines
• Clear bandaids or medical tape if shoes start rubbing
• Dental picks or floss picks
• Tissues or a handkerchief tucked away with a bridesmaid for happy tears

It also helps to keep these items in a small bag or pouch so they can easily be grabbed later in the day if needed.

A couple small things to keep in mind:

• Hair ties, Apple Watches, and fitness bands on wrists can easily show up in photos. It helps to remove them before dresses go on.
• If someone normally wears a watch often, be mindful of tan lines once it comes off.

Dresses & Outfit Prep

It’s always helpful to try the full outfit ahead of time — dress, undergarments, shoes, jewelry, everything. This helps avoid surprises with comfort or fit on the wedding day.

Depending on the fabric and cut of dresses, it’s worth thinking about pantie lines, shapewear lines, or undergarment visibility so everything looks smooth in photos.

Some bridesmaid dresses can also be worn multiple ways, wrapping around the neck or tying differently. It helps if everyone confirms how their dress is meant to be worn ahead of time. Taking a quick photo during fittings can help everyone remember how it ties.

Shoes & Comfort

If the ceremony or formals are on grass, think about the type of shoes you plan to wear.

Stilettos can look great but the narrow heel can sink into the ground. Some options couples consider:

• Heel caps
• Shoes with a wider heel
• Bringing a second pair of comfortable shoes

If you plan to wear the same shoes all night, it’s worth thinking about what you’ll want later during dancing. Some brides switch to sneakers, flats, sandals, Crocs, or even go barefoot once the party starts. Comfort usually wins by that point.

Bustle Practice

If your dress has a bustle, it’s very helpful to practice it ahead of time.

Ask the person helping you bustle the dress to try it during the fitting and take a photo or short video of the bustle points. Bustles are one of the most common things people struggle with during the reception if they haven’t seen it before.

Veil Considerations

If you’re wearing a veil, think about how it will attach and blend with your hairstyle during your hair trial.

Many veils are secured with bobby pins from the sides and bottom to lock them into the hairstyle.

Wind can also play a role depending on the venue. For coastal weddings especially, wind can move a veil around quite a bit. A very long veil might look beautiful in theory, but if the wind catches it you can end up hitting the entire bridal party or pulling on your hair.

Some brides keep the veil for the ceremony and portraits and then remove it afterward to stay comfortable.

Groom & Groomsmen

A few small things help the morning go smoothly for the guys as well.

• Haircut 1–2 days before the wedding
• If shaving, do it the night before or early morning to avoid razor irritation
• Send a reminder to pick up suits ahead of time and bring them with them

Helpful items to have:

• Brush or comb and hair product
• Shoe horn (rental shoes are often stiff)
• Cufflinks if required
• Pocket squares (decide ahead of time how they should be folded)

If pocket squares are part of the look, it can help to save a short video or diagram of the fold you want so everyone can match.

Before photos start, it’s helpful if everyone empties their pockets:

• Phones
• Wallets
• Keys

These can create bulky pockets in photos, so couples often designate one safe spot or small bag to hold everything during portraits.

Sunglasses

If sunglasses are part of the day, it can help to coordinate them a bit.

Some couples have the wedding party wear the same style so everything looks consistent in photos.

They don’t need to be expensive, but neutral styles tend to look best:

• Black
• White
• Natural wood grain

It’s usually best to avoid novelty or monogrammed wedding sunglasses, as they can feel dated in photos later on.

There are several online retailers that sell solid off-brand sunglasses in the $25–50 range, which look good and stay consistent for the group.

Hair, Makeup & Spray Tans

Hair and makeup for a wedding is a little different from everyday styling. The goal isn’t just looking good for a short time, it’s looking great for many hours, in photos, and in different lighting conditions.

What someone might wear for a normal date night or event might not always translate the same way for a full wedding day.

During your hair and makeup trials, it can help to:

• Show photos of your dress to your stylist and makeup artist
• Talk about the overall look and feeling you want for the day
• Discuss how the makeup and hair will hold up over many hours

Makeup often goes slightly beyond what people normally wear because cameras and lighting can soften or wash out details. Artists may recommend blending makeup beyond the face into areas like:

• Neck
• Collarbone
• Upper chest / bust area
• Shoulders or arms depending on the dress

Weddings are emotional days, and excitement can bring out natural redness in skin. Good makeup artists account for this so everything stays balanced in photos.

Hair styling also needs to be a bit more durable than everyday styling. A hairstyle that looks great for a dinner out might not hold up the same way through wind, hugs, dancing, and a full day of movement.

This is especially worth discussing if your wedding is outdoors or near the coast where wind can play a role. During the trial you can ask how the stylist plans to secure the style so it holds throughout the day.

Scars, Tattoos & Skin Coverage

If your dress exposes areas where you have tattoos, scars, or other marks you may or may not want visible, it’s worth mentioning that during your makeup trial.

Many makeup artists can do light coverage or blending so everything looks natural in photos if that’s something you’d prefer.

Some people love showcasing tattoos as part of their story, while others prefer a more neutral look for the day — either way it’s something worth discussing ahead of time.

Spray Tan Trials

If anyone plans to get a spray tan, it’s a good idea to do a trial in advance to make sure the tone and finish are what you’re hoping for.

This helps avoid surprises and ensures the color looks natural with your dress and lighting.

Flowers

When bouquets arrive, it can help to remove them from water about 30 minutes before they’re used and wrap the stems in a towel so excess water dries off. This prevents drips or water marks on dresses.

When speaking with the florist, it can help to request three pins per boutonniere. Florists often include only one, and having extras makes it easier to secure them properly.

You can also ask if the florist has extra greenery or loose petals from bouquet preparation. These are great for detail photos and florists are usually happy to include a few scraps.

Gifts for the Wedding Party

Many couples give small gifts to their wedding party such as robes, socks, flasks, sunglasses, bags, or jewelry.

While many people give these gifts the night before, it’s often easier to give them in the getting-ready suite. That way nothing gets forgotten at an Airbnb or another hotel room.

Simple gift bags like white, black, or craft paper with a small tag can make the presentation feel nice without needing to be complicated.

If you'd like reactions captured, just let everyone know to wait to open the gifts until the photographer arrives.

Champagne Toasts

Champagne toasts while getting ready can be a fun moment and make for great photos.

If you plan to pop a cork or spray champagne, consider bringing:

• A bottle to actually enjoy
• One or two extra bottles if you want to spray for a fun moment

That way the good champagne doesn’t get wasted.

Saving Money on Decor

Weddings can add up quickly, and many decorations are only used once.

A good way to save money is by looking for items that other couples are reselling after their wedding.

Things commonly sold secondhand include:

• Table centerpieces
• Welcome table decor
• Guest book table items
• Memorial table pieces
• Frames and easels
• Table numbers
• Ceremony decorations

Places worth checking include:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Local wedding Facebook groups
• Reddit wedding planning communities
• Craigslist

Couples often keep one item as a memory and sell the rest. You can often buy these items at a big discount and resell them afterward.

Rain Plan

If rain is possible, clear umbrellas are usually the best option since they photograph well.

Before buying any, check with the venue. Some venues keep umbrellas on hand for weddings.

If not, ordering a pack online a week or two ahead of time works well. Keep them boxed and bring them with you. If the weather stays nice, they can usually be returned.

Clear umbrellas with white or silver accents tend to blend in best visually.

Unplugged Ceremony

Some couples choose to have an unplugged ceremony where guests put phones away and stay present.

If that’s something you want, it works best if the officiant announces it right before the ceremony begins. Signs alone tend to get ignored.

Another option is having the officiant invite guests to take a quick photo once the couple reaches the front, and then ask everyone to put phones away for the remainder of the ceremony.

Detail Photo Items

If you'd like them included in detail photos, bring small items such as:

• Wedding rings
• Invitation suite or save-the-date
• Jewelry
• Perfume
• Shoes
• Ribbons or sentimental items

Even if you’re unsure whether something will work, feel free to bring it along.