Wedding planning involves dozens of decisions, big and small. While many couples focus on the major elements like venue, catering, and attire, it’s easy to overlook minor but equally important details that can make or break your big day. Here’s a guide to the sometimes overlooked details you should plan for to ensure a smooth and stress-free celebration.
1. How Everyone Is Getting to and From the Venue
Understanding the transportation logistics of your wedding day and venue is very important for you and your guests. Think through how everyone will arrive and leave safely from your venue at night’s end, especially if people will be drinking. Consider arranging shuttles, carpooling, or hiring a transportation service, especially if your venue is in a remote location or has limited parking. Providing clear directions and scheduling transportation pickups ensures no one is left without options. Luckily for our Brookshire couples, the venue is close to many hotels, making shuttle services and Uber rides accessible. See our guide here for nearby accommodations.
Photo by Universe Signs Photography
2. When You Are Signing Your Marriage License During the Day
The marriage license isn’t just paperwork—it’s the official part of legalizing your union! Decide when and where you will sign it on your wedding day. Coordinate with your officiant and witnesses to ensure it’s completed and filed correctly so that it’s not forgotten during the excitement and celebration.
3. When and How You Are Sending in Your Marriage License
Every state has its own rules for submitting a marriage license. Make sure you have done your research as a couple and are clear on the deadlines and the process for sending it in. Assign this task to someone you trust if you don’t want to handle it yourself or are traveling out immediately after the wedding for your honeymoon.
For information about Ohio’s marriage license rules, read here.
4. Who Is Taking Home Items at the End of the Night
At the end of the celebration, items like decorations, flowers, and personal belongings need to be gathered and taken home. Your designated Brookshire wedding coordinator will help to box up and put away the personal decor items you brought to the venue. Still, someone from your wedding party or a parent should oversee the process of getting the items into the vehicles they are going home in. Don’t forget to label items clearly so there’s no confusion about what needs to go where.
Photo by India Jade Photography
5. Final Payments or Tips for Your Vendors
Make a checklist of any outstanding payments or tips for your vendors. Prepare envelopes with labeled tips and designate a trusted person, such as your planner or a parent, to distribute them either at the beginning of the event or the end of the night.
Customary vendors to tip include:
- Your venue staff
- Photographers & videographers
- Wedding planner or day of coordinator
- Bartenders
- Transportation/shuttle drivers
- Hair & Makeup teams
6. Who Is Packing and Responsible for Your Emergency Kit
An emergency kit filled with essentials like safety pins, stain remover, pain relievers, and snacks can save the day. Assign someone to pack it and keep it within easy reach during your wedding. We recommend keeping it in one of the getting-ready suites for the evening.
7. If There Are Kids in Your Wedding Party, Who Is Responsible for Them
Children add joy and fun to a wedding, but they also need supervision. Appoint a designated adult to manage their needs, keep them entertained, and ensure they stay where they need to be at the right time. Keeping the kids happy will help make the wedding day go smoother!
8. Making Time to Spend Quality Moments with Your Partner
Finally, make sure to create intentional time for just you two. Your wedding day will fly by, so a designated time for sharing a quiet moment or private toast with your partner is a great way to make more memories with your person. These little pauses will help you soak in the magic of your day together.
Photo by Universe Signs Photography
Tying it All Together
Your wedding day should be about joy, love, and celebrating with your closest friends and family—not last-minute stress over forgotten details. By thinking through these often-overlooked elements ahead of time, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth and stress-free day where you can focus on what truly matters—marrying your person!
At Brookshire, our team supports you every step of the way, ensuring no detail is left behind. If you have any questions about your big day, please reach out. We can’t wait to help bring your wedding vision to life!
