10 Things Every Bride Should Do Before Wedding Week
Your stress-free, confident, and joy-filled walk down the aisle starts with these essentials.
Wedding week is almost here—cue the butterflies, happy tears, and last-minute texts from your aunt wondering what time the ceremony starts. After months of planning, Pinterest boards, and vendor calls, it’s time to shift from planner mode to bride mode. But before you officially hit "bridal bliss," there are a few key things you’ll want to take care of so you can soak in every magical moment.
At Hansen Weddings and Events, we believe your final week should be filled with calm, confidence, and maybe a few mimosas—not chaos. So here’s your ultimate checklist: the 10 most important things to do before your wedding week begins.
1. Finalize and Distribute Your Wedding Day Timeline
A clear, well-communicated timeline is your secret weapon for a smooth day. Make sure everyone—your photographer, hair and makeup team, bridal party, officiant, and planner—has a copy.
Include:
Start/end times for each event (ceremony, reception, etc.)
Arrival times for vendors
Set-up and breakdown windows
Who is responsible for what (assign point people if needed)
Pro tip: Share a condensed version with the wedding party and family members. They’ll appreciate knowing when and where to be without the overload.
2. Confirm All Vendors + Final Payments
Reach out to each vendor and:
Confirm arrival/setup time
Share final headcount
Provide point of contact (so you can relax and not answer your phone that day)
Double-check special requests, access info, or dietary restrictions
Confirm final payments, gratuities, and contracts
Pro tip: Put tips in labeled envelopes and hand them off to your planner or a trusted person to distribute.
3. Pack Your Wedding Day Emergency Kit
This isn’t just for Type-A brides. A well-stocked emergency kit can save the day!
Include:
Safety pins, double-sided tape, mini sewing kit
Blotting papers, deodorant, tissues, mints
Pain reliever, antacids, eye drops, band-aids
Extra earring backs, fashion tape, scissors
Phone charger, snacks, water
Pro tip: Keep it with your getting-ready bag or in your bridal suite.
4. Break in Your Wedding Shoes
We love a sparkly heel or strappy sandal—but blisters are not part of the vibe. Wear your shoes around the house for a few days. Bonus: practice walking on grass or gravel if that’s part of your venue!
Pro tip: Bring a backup pair of flats or comfy shoes for dancing the night away.
5. Final Dress Fitting + Try on Your Entire Look
Make sure you’ve done a full “test run” with your dress, veil, shoes, jewelry, and undergarments. Check how everything fits, sits, and moves.
Pro tip: Try sitting, dancing, and raising your arms—you’ll be doing a lot of that on your big day!
6. Delegate Day-Of Tasks
You should not be the one handling decorations, fielding texts, or herding the groomsmen.
Delegate:
Someone to handle final payments and tip envelopes
Someone to wrangle family for photos
Someone to take your personal items home at the end of the night
A bridesmaid or friend to carry a mini bag with touch-up items
Pro tip: If you have a planner (hi, that’s me!), we’ll handle most of this for you.
7. Write (or Finalize) Your Vows and Toasts
Don’t leave this for the night before! Write from the heart, and give yourself time to reflect.
Pro tip: Print or handwrite them on nice stationery or vow books, and give them to your officiant or planner to hold onto.
8. Do a Venue Walkthrough
Ideally 5–7 days before your wedding, walk through your ceremony and reception spaces with your planner or venue coordinator. This ensures everyone’s clear on:
Layout and flow
Setup times and access
Rain plan (if needed)
Signage and decor placement
Guest experience logistics
Pro tip: Visualizing your day in the actual space helps calm nerves and reveals small details you might otherwise miss.
9. Pamper Yourself
Book any beauty appointments a few days in advance:
Facial (at least 5–7 days out)
Spray tan (2–3 days out)
Nails (2 days out)
Waxing (not the day before!)
Hair touch-up or trim (1 week out)
Pro tip: Don’t try new skincare right before the wedding. Stick to what you know your skin loves!
10. Take a Break and Be Present
Wedding planning is intense—now it’s time to let go and enjoy the moment. Whether it’s a quiet dinner with your partner, a solo walk, or a girls’ night, take time to feel all the joy. This is your once-in-a-lifetime week!
Pro tip: Journal how you're feeling. This week will fly by faster than you think.
Bonus: One Thing to NOT Do
Don’t compare your wedding to someone else’s.
This day is about your love story—not a TikTok trend, not your cousin’s wedding, not Pinterest. You've poured your heart into planning this day. It’s going to be perfect because it’s yours.
Final Thoughts from Your Wedding Planner
The final week is emotional, magical, and yes, a little overwhelming. But when you've prepped wisely, you’ll walk into your wedding day with peace, excitement, and that glowing “I’ve got this” energy.
Need help pulling it all together? I offer month-of coordination and wedding management packages to ensure every box is checked, every candle is lit, and every moment is stress-free.
Let’s make your walk down the aisle unforgettable. 💙
—Lily Hansen, Hansen Weddings and Events