The Ultimate Day-Of Wedding Checklist

It’s all about timing when it comes to wedding preparations. At Signature Manor, we understand that preparing for a wedding may be challenging, especially with so many tasks and details to consider. But, if you give yourself enough time to organize and sort the duties month by month with the help of a wedding-planning checklist and wedding timeline, the process will become more enjoyable and less stressful.

As expert event planners, we’ve put together a simple checklist to assist you in arranging a memorable ceremony and reception without going insane!

To ensure that your wedding goes off without a hitch, make sure you cross off every last item on our ultimate checklist so that your wedding will go off without a hitch!

1. Set-up and preparations

Unload the car at the venue
Put away florals
Place table decorations (Table numbers, reserved signs, etc.)
Arrange photo display(s)
Arrange cake table (cake cutters, champagne flutes, etc.)
Decorate sweetheart table
Arrange guest sign-in and stationery (guest seating, ceremony programs, etc.)

2. Behind-the-scenes preparations

Hair and make-up arrival
Getting ready photos
Cake arrival and set-up
Photographer arrival
DJ arrival and set-up
Videographer arrival
Slideshow check and run through
Decorator and florist arrival
Photobooth arrival and set-up
Bridal make-up, hair, and veil
Officiant arrival
Caterer arrival
Mic and audio soundcheck

3. Behind-the-scenes: During the wedding

Couple and wedding party arrival
The couple’s cell phones need to be delegated to someone
Envelopes with final payments to vendors
Put on boutonnieres and corsages and distribute bouquets
Lunch for wedding party and couple
Man the guest sign-in table and collect sign-in books for safekeeping
Wedding party portraits
First look
Choose someone to direct guests if needed
Uncover couple’s photos after the ceremony
Run ceremony audio
Light candles
Bustle gown
Dim lights
Sneak away for sunset or evening portraits (couple)
Gift Table - collect cards for safekeeping and load the car
Take leftover cake
Transportation service arrival
Gratuity envelopes distributed to vendors
To-go box for couple wedding food to be loaded in exit car
Load couple suitcases and bags into exit car

4. Behind-the-scenes: After the wedding

Packing up - assign and delegate. Know where items are being taken afterward
The top tier of the cake
Collect decor from the ceremony area
Clear wedding party suites and do final checks for forgotten items

5. Wedding Day: Ceremony

Guest arrival and seating
Wedding party line up
Request for no electronics (optional)
Processional
Cue all to stand
Welcome to guests and message from the officiant
Unity candle/sand or alternative
Additional songs for live music
Vows and exchange of rings
Charge to the couple (reminder of the importance of the vows)
Pronouncement of marriage
The kiss!
Presentation of a couple (wait for five seconds at the altar, give the photographer the moment to take some photos)
Recessional
Sign the wedding license
Cocktail hour for guests/slideshow and portrait time for the couple, family, and wedding party

5. Wedding day: Reception

Guest seating
Bar opens
Slideshow
Grand entry
Dinner service
Toasts
First dances
Open floor for dancing
Bouquet toss
Garter toss
Games or special items from the Emcee
Thank you speech from a couple
Cake cutting
Last call
Last dance for all
Last dance for the couple
Grand exit for the couple

If you’re looking for the best event planner in Houston, TX, reach out to Signature Manor. Back by a talented staff, we will guide you on your journey through the planning stages of the event, and you can relax knowing that each event is specially catered to meet every need.

We have clients from Mission Bend, Cinco Ranch, Bellaire, Katy, Sugar Land, the Galleria area, and Houston, Texas.

To learn more about our services, please click here. Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.