Planning your wedding festivities takes months, if not a year or more. Your seating chart has been organized to perfection, the DJ has your playlist down pat, you soon will pick up your perfectly tailored gown. There are a few things we think you might have forgotten to plan for the day-of getting ready process though. Feel free to forward this list to your Maid of Honor because you already have enough to worry about that morning!

1. Hand Steamer

If you don’t own one already, go ahead and order it now and then thank me later. This is a life saver for mornings when you'd rather spend more time sipping coffee than ironing your work shirt. It will also be used for everyone in the wedding party. While you are getting ready, have your bridesmaids take turns steaming all of the bridesmaids dresses, your wedding gown, and your veil. Once steamed hang the gowns and veils until you get dressed and you all will be picture perfect. Also, we recommend the men get in on this tip too, there’s nothing sloppier looking than a wrinkled suit

2. Sewing Kit

This is likely to be the most photographed day of your life. We can’t allow for any unfixed wardrobe malfunctions! Make sure to have a sewing kit with you in case of emergencies like a zipper not staying in place, or a button coming loose. Chances are high that you won’t need it, but if you do need that needle and thread you will save yourself a lot of time and heartache knowing it’s ready to go. This recommendation comes straight from personal experience of having to sew a bride into her gown an hour before she walked down the aisle

3. Snacks and Water

You have spent hours selecting the food for your cocktail hour and sit down dinner, making sure there is something for everyone while also representing you and your fiance properly. Have you thought about what you will snack on before the hors d’oeuvres are served? We understand you want to save your appetite for the overpriced food you already ordered, but no one wants you hangry and dehydrated while saying your vows so make sure to plan your getting ready snacks and drinks (water and maybe a side or 2 of champagne) ahead of time

4. Toothbrush and Toothpaste

After all of your snacks that will most likely get covered in hairspray from the hair stylist trying to touch up your hair, you will inevitably want to brush your teeth one more time before your lipstick goes on and you are ready to kiss your HUSBAND! (or wife, wherever your heart has led you) A mint could also help, but a good teeth brushing is always refreshing and will make sure your teeth are as white as can be for all of the pictures that will be taken throughout the day

5. Final Payment Envelopes

Weddings involve hiring a lot of vendors to put together a lot of pieces of the puzzle that is your dream wedding. Many of them will expect to be paid once they finish their job. We recommend filling pre labeled envelopes with the payments, thank you notes, and tips for your vendors. Select a designated person to hand them out at the appropriate times of the night. This could be a family member or a bridesmaid, but it has to be someone organized and trustworthy

You’re now fully prepped to make one of the best days of your life go smoothly so you can enjoy yourself and be fully present with your new spouse!

Lauren Allen, Author

Lauren is a bridal consultant and self-published author, with a background in celebrity styling and bridal make up artistry. You can find her with an oat milk cappuccino in the morning, and a glass of Cabernet at night, her real passions. Get enough wine in her and she will tell you about her perfectly planned wedding. Just promise not to ask about the groom, that’s one detail she’s still working on. Lauren is based in NYC and her book “How to Be 23” can be found here