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On this week’s episode of 52 'Til I Do, we’re breaking down everything you should pack and prep well before wedding week arrives. From attire and accessories to getting-ready bags, day-of essentials, honeymoon items, and all those personal details (rings, vow books, card box, guest book, you name it), we’re covering the pieces couples often forget until it’s too late. You’ll learn how to organize your items, what to group together, and how to hand everything off so your planner and vendor team can execute your vision. If you want to feel organized and ready for the big day, this one’s for you.
At this point in your wedding planning journey, you're only a few weeks away from saying "I do." The excitement is building, your timeline is coming together, and now it's time to make sure everything you'll need on your wedding day is packed, organized, and ready to go.
A little preparation now can save you from a lot of unnecessary stress later.
Your wedding outfit is arguably the most important thing you'll be packing, whether that's a dress, suit, or tuxedo. Before the big day, make a plan for exactly where your attire will be and who is responsible for transporting it. If you're getting ready somewhere other than your home or venue, decide ahead of time who will be bringing your outfit from Point A to Point B.
If you've scheduled your final fitting a week or two before the wedding but don't want your partner to accidentally see your attire, consider storing it with a trusted friend, family member, or someone in your wedding party until it's time to get ready. Having a transportation and storage plan ahead of time gives you one less thing to worry about on your wedding morning.
It's often the little things that are easiest to overlook. A week or two before the wedding, create a checklist of every accessory and clothing item you'll need.
Your list might include:
Checking everything off your list before the wedding means you won't be scrambling to find a missing earring or pair of socks on one of the busiest mornings of your life.
Pro Tip: Pack For The Honeymoon Early! If you're leaving for your honeymoon shortly after the wedding, pack your vacation bag before the big day. Whether you're leaving the next morning or heading straight to the airport after your reception, having your honeymoon suitcase packed in advance removes one more task from your already full plate. You'll be able to focus on celebrating instead of worrying about whether you remembered your passport, swimsuit, or phone charger.
One of the most overlooked parts of wedding planning is packing a bag with everything you'll need throughout the day. Trust us—you'll be reaching for it more often than you think!
Pro Tip: Skip the tiny bridal clutch and pack everything in a large tote bag with plenty of pockets. It'll be much easier to stay organized, and you'll have room for all of your essentials. You can always transfer a few items into a smaller bag for photos or the reception if you'd like.
Here are a few must-haves to include in your wedding day essentials bag:
Having these items close by can make all the difference if something unexpected comes up. Hopefully, you won't need most of them—but if you do, you'll be glad you planned ahead!
One detail that's easy to overlook is packing a dedicated box for your photographer's flat lay photos. These are the beautiful detail shots you often see at the beginning of wedding galleries, featuring the meaningful items that tell the story of your day.
Gather everything you'd like included and keep it all in one clearly labeled box so your photographer can easily find it while you're getting ready.
Some ideas include:
Since these photos are usually taken while you're getting ready, having everything in one place saves time and ensures nothing gets forgotten.
When we say personal decor, we're talking about anything you're bringing yourself that isn't being provided or set up by one of your vendors.
This might include:
Because these items often end up spread throughout your venue, organization is key.
One of our favorite packing strategies is organizing your decor by location or table.
For example, you could have one box labeled "Table 1." Inside would be everything needed for that table:
Then include a printed photo, sketch, or simple diagram showing exactly how everything should be arranged. That way, whoever is helping with setup won't have to guess where each piece belongs.
Bonus Tip: Include a second checklist inside each box with instructions for the end of the night. Let your cleanup crew know which items need to go home, which belong to specific family members, what should be returned to vendors, and what can simply be thrown away. A little organization now can save a lot of confusion later.
Once everything is packed, the next question is: How is it actually getting to the venue?
Every wedding is different, but here are a few common options:
Whatever you choose, make sure everyone involved knows who is bringing what, where it's going, and what time it needs to arrive.
Wedding morning goes by incredibly fast, so it's important to decide ahead of time who will be responsible for decorating your venue.
Whether that's your wedding coordinator, trusted friends, family members, or a combination of all three, assign those responsibilities well before the wedding day.
If possible, try to have decor set up the evening before or immediately after your rehearsal. If setup has to happen on the wedding morning, make sure it's being handled by someone other than you. A trusted cousin, aunt, friend, etc., can help. Once you've started getting ready, your only job should be enjoying the morning, not arranging centerpieces or hanging signs!
As important as setting everything up is, it's just as important to have a plan for taking everything down at the end of the night. Cleanup looks a little different for every couple, but it typically begins toward the end of the reception, once most of your guests have made their way to the dance floor or started heading home.
The first items to be packed away are usually your welcome decor, signs, and anything guests no longer need. As the evening winds down, your cleanup team can begin collecting table numbers, centerpieces, leftover florals, candles, card boxes, guest books, and any other personal decor you'd like to take home.
Before the wedding day, make sure everyone knows who is responsible for cleanup. This might be:
Having a clear cleanup plan ensures your personal items are packed safely and nothing gets left behind once the celebration is over.
Don't wait until your wedding day to discover that something needs to be assembled or has missing pieces. A few days before the wedding, open the packaging for any items you've ordered, including:
No matter how well you plan, little surprises are bound to pop up on your wedding day. That's why we always recommend packing a small emergency kit. Hopefully you won't need most of these items—but if you do, you'll be so glad they're there.
You can keep everything in a small cosmetic bag or organizer and either carry it with your wedding day essentials or have your coordinator or a trusted member of your wedding party keep it nearby.
Here are some items we recommend including:
Assign someone (whether it's your coordinator, maid of honor, best man, or another trusted friend) to be in charge of the emergency kit. That way, if you need something, you won't have to remember where it is or stop what you're doing to go look for it.
Packing for your wedding day may feel like a small detail, but having a plan can make your entire day run more smoothly. Taking the time to organize your attire, decor, essentials, and emergency items ahead of time means fewer last-minute decisions and less stress. Create a system, communicate with the people helping you, and make sure everyone knows where things go. The more prepared you are beforehand, the more you can focus on enjoying your wedding day and celebrating with the people you love!
Be sure to listen to Episode 49 of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more tips and tricks on packing for your big day.
Have more questions about your wedding day packing plan? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning!
Photo Credit to JNA Visuals
Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.
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