rustic country vineyard wedding0084Image by Gemma Clarke Photography via Anna & Scott’s Rustic Country Vineyard Wedding

In the lead up to your wedding, a checklist can be your saviour. Here’s a handy one for your ceremony, with some important reminders to tick off to ensure some important people are well-informed.

1. It’s your marriage ceremony and we want to make sure there are no stressful or awkward moments. So before the day, let your wedding coordinator, venue, celebrant, photographer, videographer and MC know if there are any special family arrangements or sensitivities they need to be aware of. For example, if your Mum and Dad are no longer together, if there are step-parents we need to consider, or if we need to leave some room in the front row for your Grandmother’s walking frame.

anne-of-green-gables-inspired-wedding0015-550x367Image by Gemma Clarke Photography via Elizabeth and James’ Anne Of Green Gables Inspired Wedding

2. Let your bridesmaids and groomsmen know the order they’ll be standing in (and entering in) before your wedding day arrives. You may not have a particular ‘order’ in mind and you may just want to base it on height, but it’s important to let your bridal party know exactly where they stand… literally.

balloon-filled-wedding019Image by Lauren Marshall of LJM Photography via Anelise and Brad’s Balloon Filled Wedding

3. Nominate a reliable ‘go to’ person and make sure every key supplier has his/her phone number. Remember, it’s your wedding day – you don’t want to be bothered with phone calls or questions, so delegate to someone who can be cool and calm and problem solve on your behalf.

4. Make a list of your key suppliers – include their name, role, phone number and arrival times. Hand this list out to your key suppliers well before your wedding day. You never know when they may need to talk to one another.

5. Be ‘rain or sweltering heat’ ready. Choose a Plan B and inform your key suppliers. And if you need to resort to Plan B on the day, get your go-to person to do the ring around.

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Image by Harvard Wang via Lucinda and Andrew’s Rainy Lorne Wedding

6. Tell your MC where his/her role starts – it may be rounding people up for photos post-ceremony (make sure he/she is armed with a copy of your photo wish list) or it may not start until the reception. Whatever the case, your MC will want to be prepped and ready to go.

7. On your wedding day, consider giving your Maid of Honour/Best Man/parent/sibling a copy of your vows and speech. You may want to have a quick read of them as you’re getting ready.

8. Consider asking your celebrant or MC to make an announcement post-ceremony letting everyone know what your plans are. It may be asking your guests to stick around for a group photo or simply letting everyone know when drinks and canapés will be served!

intimate-workshop-wedding020Image by Julian Meehan Photogtaphy via Christina and Stuart’s Intimate Workshop Wedding

9. If you’re having an ‘unplugged’ or Facebook-free wedding, make sure everyone knows. One option is to ask your celebrant to make an announcement pre-ceremony kindly reminding your guests to put their cameras and phones away or to hold off posting on social media until the newlyweds do. Better still, you may want to give family and friends the heads up before your wedding day and include a note with your invitations.

10. Last, but certainly not least, there’s one very important person I’ve so far neglected to mention – your future husband/wife. I’m guessing you have a lot to tell this person! So… write them a letter to be read in the hours before your ceremony and get them to do the same for you. Reading this letter will be one of the many happy highlights of your very happy day.

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Image by Candice Van Moolenbroek via Lauren and Tim’s Warehouse Wedding

Check list complete? It’s now time to relax and enjoy the moment you’ll marry the love of your life!

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Ms Chinoiserie Says: Such a useful checklist full of very wise words – particularly about being prepared for the Plan B weather option!

About Melissa Polimeni Marriage Celebrant: I love weddings and I love what I do. As a celebrant, my job is getting to know couples and crafting memorable marriage ceremonies – and that’s always such a pleasure and privilege.