Necessary Back Up Plans For Your Wedding Day
It’s always best to be prepared on the wedding day just in case anything doesn’t go as planned.
Here are the most common things to have a backup plan on:
~ Weather. It's unpredictable and has the ability to completely change at a moment’s notice!
Wet/cold weather: Always coordinate with the venue about their usual back up plan. If the wedding is in a place that can rain during the month of the wedding date, consider having a backup option if the event is outdoors. Usually this would be a tent rental for outdoor weddings, or moving the festivities inside the venue at the last minute.
Extras to have on hand: umbrellas, rags, rain coats or parkas, blankets for guests
Hot weather:
Provide handheld fans
Shade for guests during ceremony
Make sure dessert or any food prone to melting is kept in a cool, dry place until it’s time to consume it
Plenty of water for guests
Water vases for floral bouquets so they don’t wilt before ceremony
Sunscreen provided for bridal party, family and guests
“Freshen-up” baskets for bathrooms: deodorant, body spray, blotting towelettes, Tide-To-Go sticks, breath mints and more.
Schedule photos at a cooler part of the day
~ Wardrobe. The last thing wanted is a stain on the bride’s dress or the groom’s tux to not fit.
Dress:
Do not have any stainable food or drinks before the wedding: berries, jams, tomatoes, wine, grape juice, red sauces, etc.
Have the day-of emergency kit handy: Tide-To-Go, absorbent rags, scissors, mini sewing kit, etc. click for a full wedding day emergency kit
Grooms tux/suit:
Do not have any stainable food or drinks before the wedding: berries, jams, tomatoes, wine, grape juice, red sauces, etc.
Make sure a fitting happens a couple days before the wedding so there is time for alterations.
Have an extra tie around just in case it gets stained.
Bridal party attire:
Make sure everyone’s attire is fitted a few days before the wedding in case of last minute alterations.
Make sure everyone is comfortable in their attire:
Avoid dresses being too long - tripping hazard
Men’s shirts/pants being too tight: popped buttons or ripped seams
~ Disorderly guests.
If there is someone coming to the wedding that may be suspected of acting out, causing a scene, or drinking too much, consider having a private conversation with them before they come to the wedding.
Also communicate with a venue staff person, or someone you trust that could step in and handle the situation professionally and discreetly if need be.
Do not be afraid to send someone home from the wedding for disturbing the festivities and other guests.
It’s not your responsibility to handle this on your wedding day so this is a great thing to delegate!
~ Long or inappropriate speeches.
First and foremost: filter who is allowed to give a speech in the first place.
Have a conversation with those giving speeches beforehand about off-limit topics and time limits.
Ask them to keep their speech appropriate for all ears in the room - grandparents and kids included!
If you do have a situation where someone has gone way over their allotted speech time or continues to make inappropriate jokes, have your MC step in and wrap up their speech, that is perfectly acceptable.
~ Important people are late.
If there are family or friends that are notoriously late, it is smart to tell them to be somewhere 15-30 minutes before they actually have to be.
Also check if there are any other large events, concerts, games, construction, or other things in the area that could make guests, or vendors late to the wedding. Plan accordingly and communicate well.