Day of Packing List

Once you have all read through the decor packing and checklist, it is time to get yourself packed and ready!! Packing for your wedding is one of those tasks that is so important, but can’t really be done until a day or two before hand. Doing anything this last minute for a wedding can feel chaotic. Rest easy knowing you’ve thought of everything by following this packing list for the day and night of your wedding! Pro-tip: The girl scout motto rings truer than ever when it comes to weddings- ALWAYS BE PREPARED! As the lightest packer I know, trust me when I say when it comes to wedding day you’d much rather have something and not need it than need it and not have it!

What to pack if you’re getting ready at a hotel or venue:

  • WEDDING DRESS!!! (with a hanger- a cute hanger is a great idea if possible! Photographers love to capture photos of your dress hanging before it goes on!)

  • Marriage certificate!!!

  • A backup outfit to wear later in the night (even if you aren’t planning a wardrobe change, bring something just in case!)

  • Something to wear while getting your hair and make-up done- a robe or button-up that doesn’t need to be pulled over your head to take off is best! Remember, you will be taking A LOT of pictures while getting ready, so pick something cute!

  • Snacks- or even a full breakfast or lunch depending how long you have set aside for getting ready, bottled water, and champagne or other alcohol (if the venue won't be supplying food and drinks- this is a great task to delegate to a bridesmaid or family member)

  • Undergarments

  • Back up undergarments

  • Shoes

  • Back up flats

  • Your own makeup bag (always, always good to have just in case)

  • Your own hair styling products and tools (again, best to be prepared for anything!)

  • Tylenol or Excedrin

  • Jewelry and accessories (don’t forget your garter if you are planning on a garter toss!!)

  • Your “something old, borrowed, new and blue,” if you are choosing to partake in this tradition

  • Emergency items: safety pins, tissues, first aid kit, sewing kit, even more feminine products, band-aids, breath mints, deodorant, double-stick tape, extra buttons, floss, super glue, scissors, etc. (This is a great task to delegate to a bridesmaid or family member!!)

  • Tooth brush and tooth paste

  • Hair brush/comb (a comb with wide and spread out bristles is better if you will have curls)

  • Hair ties and bobby pins

  • If you wear contacts: contact case, contact solution, back up pair of contacts, and glasses

  • Anything you'd like to have photographed (save the dates and invitations make for great pictures! Sentimental items like a grandmothers necklace, are also great to have)

  • Your own lipstick

  • Chapstick

  • Sunglasses

  • Headphones (in case you need some quiet time)

  • Phone charger

  • Any cash payments ready in envelopes for final payments and/or tips for vendors

  • Day of timeline with all vendor contact information

  • Pen and paper

  • NOTECARDS (for vows- notecards are the easiest way to write your vows. They are portable, don’t shake if you tremble, and are easy to write big enough on to clearly see)

  • The rings!

  • A ring box, if you are using one

  • Bridal party gifts (make sure you have any jewelry or robes you intend for the bridesmaids to wear!)

  • Clothes steamer for wrinkles

  • Extra copy of the bride’s vows (put an extra copy in someone’s purse, email it to a bridesmaid, give a copy to your coordinator, just be sure to have another copy some where accessible just in case!!)

  • Lint brush

  • Nail polish in the same color you’re wearing

  • Nail polish remover

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Makeup remover (oil based is best when dealing with professional makeup)

  • If you have long nails (especially hard gel or acrylic) bring coordinating press on nails in case one breaks or lifts off.

  • Stain-remover wipes

  • Water and a drinking straw (straws will save your lipstick- reusable straws save your lipstick AND the turtles)

  • White chalk for covering up dress stains

  • White gaffer’s tape to patch tears in your dress

  • A speaker to play music on while you’re getting ready and a charger is necessary (need a great getting ready playlist? Check this one out on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6k5182a9AwPBGwUGmNbv7B?si=WY3_J-z1QOC3MYj4MCAO3A )

Wedding Over Night Bag:

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

  • If you wear contacts: contact case, contact solution, back up pair of contacts, glasses (if this bag won’t be with you while you’re getting ready, be sure to pack all of this in your day of bag!)

  • Hairbrush

  • Make-up remover for some serious makeup - oil based ones are great for removing layers of makeup

  • Wedding night lingerie if you were planning on wearing any (Being too tired to ever put it on is 100% possible, but better to be prepared!)

  • Deodorant

  • Second day outfit

  • Second day underwear

  • Second day shoes and accessories

  • Flat shoes

  • Comfy socks (no cold feet here!!)

  • Pajamas

  • A quality conditioner (especially necessary if you have a braid or will be in a windy area!)

  • Moisturizer

  • Feminine products

  • Nail file

  • Small scissors

  • Your makeup bag

  • Your perfume

  • A mini speaker (and charger if necessary)

  • Tylenol and/or Excedrin (depending on how prone you are to headaches)

  • Any medication you take regularly

  • Phone charger

  • House keys

  • Champagne! (Depending on where you are staying, you may want to consider calling ahead to the front desk to place something special out for you instead of taking up room in your luggage with this)

Useful links:

Decor packing/checklist: https://www.theweddingplannerla.com/blog/day-of-decorphoto-op-props-checklist

Wedding details checklist: https://www.theweddingplannerla.com/blog/managing-the-details-of-a-wedding

Spotify playlist for getting ready: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6k5182a9AwPBGwUGmNbv7B?si=WY3_J-z1QOC3MYj4MCAO3A