The Ultimate Wedding-Day Checklist: Everything You'll Need

taylor-john-wedding-sendoff-838-s112507-0116.jpg
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography

When the big day finally arrives, be prepared. Follow this step-by-step bridal checklist.

01 of 08
couple eating cake
KT Merry

This list goes over and above what you'll probably need on your wedding day, so take into consideration your particular circumstances before you hunt everything down. (The wedding will still go on if you forget the lint brush.) But it's better to have a heads up about what brides were glad they had brought along and what they wished they had. To avoid last-minute panic and midnight runs to the drugstore, put together whatever you can the week before, and lay out all your wedding clothes the day before. And check that you have all of the following.

✔Food and drink

✔Music

✔Hand wipes or sanitizer

✔Tissues

02 of 08

For the Emergency Kit

lindsay-garrett-wedding-trousseau-0243-s111850-0415.jpg
Kate Headley

✔Safety pins

✔Fabric tape, to fix a fallen hem

✔Bobby pins

✔Clear nail polish

✔Bride's color nail polish

✔Nail file

✔Earring backs

✔Face powder

✔Eye drops

✔Aspirin

✔Antacid

✔Bandages

✔Tampons

✔Breath mints

✔Hand lotion

✔Fragrance

✔Double-sided tape

✔Krazy Glue

✔Sewing kit

✔Anti-dust white chalk, to cover any dress stains

✔Scissors

✔Tissues

✔Phone charger

03 of 08

For the Bride

saron-neal-wedding-mississippi-00058-s111701-0615.jpg
Lauren Kinsey

✔Button-down shirt, to wear while getting hair and makeup done

✔Dress

✔Veil

✔Shapewear

✔Undergarments

✔Shoes

✔Jewelry

✔Hair accessories

✔Hair styling products and tools

✔Makeup and beauty tools

✔Mirror

✔Deodorant

✔Toothbrush and paste

✔Floss and mouthwash

✔Extra pair of contact lenses

✔Straws, for drinking without ruining lipstick

✔Comfortable flats

✔Something old, new, borrowed, and blue

04 of 08

For the Groom

genevieve-scott-wedding-marthas-vineyard-1285-d111618.jpg
Aaron Delesie

✔Suit or tuxedo

✔Underwear

✔Socks

✔Shoes

✔Shoe polish kit

✔Shaving tools

✔Hair styling products and tools

✔Deodorant

✔Toothbrush and paste

✔Lint brush

✔Fragrance

✔Cash

05 of 08

For the Ceremony

honor-jay-wedding-connecticut-ceremony-0689-d112238.jpg
Roey Yohai Photography

✔Programs

✔Unity candle or ceremonial equivalent

✔Copy of the vows

✔Copy of the readings

✔Rings

✔Marriage license

✔Ring pillow and fake rings

✔Flower-girl basket

✔Aisle runner

06 of 08

For the Reception

nikki-kiff-wedding-firstdance-004737015-s112766-0316.jpg
Tec Petaja

✔Signage for guests

✔Menus

✔Escort (table) cards

✔Place cards

✔Table numbers

✔Favors

✔Photo booth props

✔Guest book and pen

✔Toasting glasses

✔Cake topper

✔Cake knife

✔Garter

07 of 08

For an Outdoor Wedding

megan-jeremy-wedding-table-86-s112680-0216.jpg
Lauren Peele Photography

✔Sunscreen

✔Lotion with aloe vera

✔Bug spray

✔Bug-bite reliever

08 of 08

For the Wedding Night

taylor-john-wedding-sendoff-838-s112507-0116.jpg
Abby Jiu Photography

✔Something sexy to wear to bed

✔Toiletries

✔Birth control

✔Cash

✔Day-after wedding outfit

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles