When you go for your final dress fitting, don’t forget to bring along the under- garments you’ll actually be wearing on your wedding day, just to be sure that, for example, there aren’t any potentially embarrassing bra or panty lines visible beneath a clingy dress. At home, walk around in your wedding shoes a few times to avoid big-day blisters that can really cramp your style. Also, consider other items of clothing that you and your groom will need. If it helps, write it all down, even the things you’re absolutely sure you would never forget. (We know of a groom who conscientiously packed all his underwear for his honeymoon and was left without a single clean pair to wear on the wedding day!)
With your final guest list in hand, start on the seating arrangements. Begin with the easy tables — parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, close friends in natural groupings (work, college and so on). Then, gather up the harder-to-place guests (single pals and relatives) and sprinkle them in empty spots throughout your tables, preferably, of course, with a few other people they already know.
Call to confirm all of your travel arrangements, pack (or, if you’ll have plenty of post-wedding time to do this chore, pull out the necessary clothes you’re taking along for your destination) and be sure all of your important travel documents are in a safe place. Also, be sure that both you and your fiancé know where they are. Two heads are better than one!
The kit may “contain everything from tampons, hairspray, extra pantyhose and combs, to pain relievers, antacid, clear nail polish, breath freshener, a small sew- ing kit, spare earring backs, safety pins and deodorant,” advises Ingram. “Even if brides never end up needing anything in their kits, having everything on hand al- ways seems to help them relax and enjoy themselves. It’s worth the trouble!”
Sit down with your fiancé, your parents and the officiant to map out the big-day schedule so you can catch and correct potential glitches. Write down each step, if that seems helpful (many brides find this gives them a sense of control). Make sure that everyone in the bridal party knows exactly what their jobs are and where they need to be at specific times. One bride we know did this before her wedding, and suddenly realized that the chapel had no foyer, leaving no obvious spot for her dad and her to “hide” while guests were being seated. They came up with a plan: to linger for as long as possible at another location within walking distance until they got a signal from a groomsman that the time was right.