There’s so much to think about when planning a wedding that it’s easy to overlook the small details. Some of these small details can have a big impact on the success of your day, so it’s worth taking note of them. Here are just 15 of the most commonly forgotten small wedding details so that you don’t forget them.
Invitations
It’s unlikely you’ll forget invitations altogether. However, it is common for couples to send out invites too late or miss out important people.
Start writing up a list of guests early – you can then tick this off later to ensure that everyone gets their invite. Once you’ve established a wedding date and secured a venue, it’s worth sending out invites straight away so that people can keep the date free. You don’t want to send out invites with less than six weeks to go – guests may already have plans at this point. Key guests such as close family, bridesmaids and the best man should be told much earlier than this.
It’s traditional to give out paper invites but if this is too much hassle you can rely on digital invites. Paper invites will need to be designed and printed, so leave enough time for this. You can also buy pre-designed cars and other wedding stationery online to save time for more important stuff. Make sure to add all key information such as times and directions to the venue and proof-read it. Follow up all invites so you know exactly who is coming.
Wedding programs
A wedding program could be worth designing and printing off along with your invitations. On the day, this will help guests know what to expect from the ceremony. It could even include words to hymns or seating plan information. A wedding program isn’t always essential, but most guests will appreciate it, plus it can be a fun way of adding some extra personalization to the ceremony.
Rings and ring cushion
You don’t want to forget the rings! While most couples will remember to buy these, they can occasionally get forgotten. It’s usually the responsibility of the best man to keep onto these (when designating the best man, make sure that he’s not the forgetful type!).
A ring cushion can be a detail that is also forgotten often (not essential, but still nice to have at the ceremony for tradition’s sake). You can buy a cushion online. Some jewelers may provide it with the wedding bands.
The guestbook
A guestbook allows your guests to leave happy messages. It can be a beautiful keepsake to look back on in future years. Some couples forget about the guestbook – it could be worth looking into when arranging invites and programs.
There are lots of alternative options to a traditional guestbook such as allowing guests to put messages in a jar or even supplying a polaroid camera and allowing guests to stick their photos in an album booklet.
Seating plan indicators
It’s important that people know where to sit, both during the ceremony and the meal. You can delegate someone as an usher to handle this or you could simply use signs and paper place names. Some couples get inventive and come up with creative names for each table relating to a shared interest, whether it be places you’ve travelled together, favourite films or pets’ names. You can then create a list of people sat at each table and print it on the program.
Checking for unique dietary requirements
Certain guests may have unique dietary requirements that need to be accommodated. This could include being vegetarian or vegan, having allergies or intolerances or not eating certain foods for religious reasons. There may also be a need for kids’ food options if you have children coming.
Ask guests in your invitations whether they have any dietary requirements so that you can prepare for this. Make sure that the catering company that you use can provide food for these requirements if necessary.
Entertainment for the kids
If any kids are attending your wedding day, it could be important to provide some entertainment for them. After all, keeping the kids happy will keep their parents happy. Entertainment could include a bouncy castle, a kids’ magician, face-painting or simply providing toys on each table. Some couples even give out disposable cameras on each table so that the kids can take pictures which can later be developed (a fun surprise!). You can also keep kids occupied with food such as a chocolate fountain or sweet cones.
Flip-flops/umbrellas for guests
You can make it a special day for your guests by providing small comforts that they may not have considered. This could include providing some flip-flops under each table for any guests wearing high heels that may want a break. Umbrellas meanwhile can be useful if it rains – even if the wedding is inside, certain guests may still want to go out for a smoke and this will stop them getting soaked.
Flowers
Most couples remember to arrange flowers – but not always enough of them. On top of the bouquet, it can be worth having flower displays on tables and by the entrance, as well as possibly providing suited guests with buttonholes. By working with the venue organisers and a florist, you’ll be able to arrange all the necessary flowers for your day so that it doesn’t look too bare.
Some couples don’t bother with flowers on every table and instead settle for a large flower display somewhere central to make up for this. Flowers can be worth arranging several weeks in advance – many florists will have flower displays queued up and will likely need to source extra flowers in advance.
Cake knife and server
You’ve remembered the wedding cake, but have you got anything to cut it with? While some venues may be able to provide this for you last minute, it could be more of an emergency if you’re hosting a wedding at home or somewhere slightly rural. You may not have to buy a knife and server and may simply be able to borrow these tools from somebody if you haven’t got them yourself.
Arranging pet-sitters
Got pets? Unless you plan to bring your pets to the wedding (which some couples do), you’ll need someone to look after your pets for the day to ensure that they’re exercised and fed. A guest that isn’t staying late may be able to simply pop in and ensure that your animals are fed that evening/ the following morning. Alternatively, you could get your neighbours to check in on your pets if they’re not guests. This saves you paying a pet-sitter, which may not be worth the cost for a day.
Packing overnight bags/for the honeymoon
A change of clothes for the next day and some toiletries could be essential if you’re staying in a hotel overnight. Meanwhile, if you’ve got a honeymoon booked straight after, you may also want to pack for this to save you from having to do it the morning after your wedding. You may be able to get these bags checked into the hotel in advance so that you don’t have to take them with you to the wedding itself.
Having breakfast on the day
It’s common for people to skip breakfast on their wedding day because they are nervous. However, you could find yourself getting hungry as the day goes on. Worse still, if you plan to drink, you could find that the alcohol goes to your head because you didn’t settle your stomach. Start the day with a meal so that your stomach isn’t growling the whole day and so that you don’t get drunk early.
Wedding insurance
Wedding insurance can be worth taking out in case the worst happens. This insurance can help to pay out compensation if you have to cancel last minute because someone important is ill (i.e. the bride or groom), or if the dress or rings are lost/stolen. Insurance may even be able to compensate you for vendors that don’t turn up. Nobody wants disaster to strike on their special day, but insurance can make it less devastating, possibly even allowing you to afford a rescheduled date.
Thank you notes
It’s customary to thank people afterwards for attending the wedding. This could be something to worry about after the wedding, although you could design and print off thank you notes in advance to send out after, allowing you to enjoy your time as newly-weds. It depends on how personalized you want your thank you notes to be (after all, certain guests may have bought you generous gifts or provided last minute help).