Wedding Essentials 101: What You Need to Prepare for the Big Day

You just got engaged. You’re happy and excited, and now you’re probably thinking about where and how to start. Questions like “How do I plan a wedding?”, “What do I need?”, or “How do I do this?” are running through your mind. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. It’s your big day and you want it to be perfect as possible, with everything carefully planned down to the very last detail.

In this article, we’ll help you get started on your wedding essentials, so you can feel more on top of things and focus on the celebration itself.



wedding essentials

Wedding Essentials Checklist

Before the festivities begin, make sure that you have the following print products in your checklist:

Save-the-Dates
Save-the-dates are a way for you to give your guests a heads up that they are invited, and for them to hold the date on their calendars while you’re still finalizing details about your wedding. This also gives guests who live far from the venue enough time to prepare for travel like booking flights or accommodations



Invitations
This is what follows after sending out the Save-the-Dates. The invitation contains the finalized information about the wedding. This includes the date, address of the ceremony, and where the reception will take place. Other important details such as RSVPs, wedding attire, gift registry, and the official wedding hashtag should also be included in the invitation. This gives the bride or groom a headcount on how many guests they can expect to attend.
invitation


Postcards
Some couples use postcards as inserts in their wedding invitations. This could have a map to the venue, or it could also include the couple’s engagement photos.
postcards


Envelopes
Envelopes are important for holding and protecting the invitations, postcards, and Save-the-Dates that will be sent out to your guests. These will also come in handy for giving tips to the waitstaff, valet, or other service crew at your wedding ceremony or reception.
envelopes


Seating Cards
These are necessary and helpful for guests to know where they’ll be seated. Having each seat marked and tagged with a name helps prevent confusion at the reception or any chance of overcrowding a table.
seating card


Backdrop
Add a backdrop to add aesthetic appeal to your reception. Use this as background when exchanging vows, for photoshoots, or simply to frame yourselves as newlyweds throughout the event.
Backdrop


Step and Repeat Banners
Step and repeat banners will come in handy if you want your guests to capture fun and exciting moments in a photobooth. Add a lettering of your names to commemorate your special day.
Step and Repeat Banners


Hang Tags/Bookmarks/Thank You Cards
Use these to print out your Thank Yous to your guests for celebrating with you. You can also use these as part of your wedding souvenirs.
Hang Tags/Bookmarks/Thank You Cards


Boxes
Pack your wedding souvenirs in boxes to keep them intact and organized. Add labels, stickers, or hang tags to keep the box secure or use brown Kraft boxes to add a rustic and vintage vibe to your giveaways.
boxes



Don't Forget These Important Wedding Essentials

With so many things and emotions happening at the wedding, couples tend to forget some important details. We prepared a handy list to help you remember and prepare for these crucial details that are often easily lost amid the wedding bustle.

Marriage License
Perhaps the most important item in your wedding: Remember to bring your marriage license. After all, you can’t be legally married without one. Hand this over to the officiant or give it to a responsible person at the reception, so you can fully focus on the festivities and enjoy your big day.

Chargers
Even if you’re going to be very busy during your wedding, you will still need your phone from time to time to keep in touch or take pictures with family or friends. Don’t forget to have your charger ready and within reach to make sure your phone has enough battery life until the end of the day.

Extra Shoes
Bring an extra pair of shoes to keep you comfortable throughout the entire day, especially during the reception, and keep your feet from aching when wearing heels. You could bring a pair of flat sandals, sneakers, or even flip flops to help stay on your feet and mingle with guests comfortably.

Snacks/Water
Some newlyweds get too caught up in the festivities that they tend to forget to eat or drink water throughout the event. Enjoy the food that you carefully selected for your guests and give yourself some nourishment, so you have energy to get through the day. It’s also important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re having an outdoor wedding in a warm location.

A Backup Plan for Bad Weather Conditions
If your wedding will be outdoors, remember to have a contingency plan ready in case it starts raining or unexpected weather elements suddenly strike on your big day. Have tents or umbrellas ready for your guests to keep dry or shield them if the sun is intense. Have refreshments and cooling fans easily accessible for anyone who needs them to cool down.



Conclusion

Preparations for a wedding can be stressful or overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be the case all the time. Take note of the checklists and essentials mentioned in the article above to help you make sure your wedding plans unfold with less stress and unforeseen glitches.



Recommended Products

UPrinting offers a wide selection of products that you can use for your wedding day. These are:



For inquiries about our custom products, feel free to contact our support team by calling 888-888-4211.