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The rehearsal dinner is the first event in your wedding weekend festivities. In that rush of excitement, it can be easy to forget to do a few important tasks before the actual wedding starts. Here are eight you should make sure you check off your to-do list.[Photo: theamberstudio.com]
Pack for the wedding morning.
You're focused on transporting your wedding dress and packing for the honeymoon, but what about the wedding day morning? "Make sure to pack a button up shirt so you don't mess up your 'do as well as comfortable clothing, snacks and water to keep you hydrated," says Paula Ramirez of Historic Mankin Mansion.
Write down vendor numbers.
Much of the communication between brides and vendors take place via email these days, but once the rehearsal has come and gone, it's typically the weekend and it may be best to catch vendors regarding time sensitive things on their cell phone, says Ramirez. "Forgetting to grab the necessary cell phone numbers happens often, so make sure not to skip that step. While you're at it, provide vendors with the cell number of someone (perhaps a Maid or Matron of Honor) who will be with you the entire wedding day in case you're difficult to get a hold of."
Get your accessories organized.
Lay out all of your accessories--that includes your undergarments, as well as your jewelry--the night before the wedding so that you’re not trying to track these items down right before putting your dress on.
Confirm with your wedding party.
Whether you hand out a printed itinerary or send out a text to everyone, you want to be sure that your bridesmaids and groomsmen know what the schedule is for the big day.
Check on the marriage license.
"I've found that the marriage license gets forgotten on the wedding day more often that you would think," says Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Event Sound Services. "The key here would be to entrust the license with either the planner, or a trusted wedding party member--best to take that off of your own plate. You have enough to worry about and the license is one thing you really don't want to miss!"
Practice your vows.
This is especially important if you're writing your own vows.
Prep your skin.
This is not the night to fall asleep with your makeup on! You want to wake up fresh-faced, so follow you nighttime skin routine to the letter.
Get some sleep.
It can be hard with all of the anticipation to get some rest the night before the wedding. But you have a long and exciting day ahead of you, so you want to have the energy to get through it all. And of course, you don’t want to risk having under eye circles or bags under your eyes on your big day!
