Final Countdown: A Week Before the Wedding Timeline + Checklist

Your essential, seven-day to-do list

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After all your hard work wedding planning, it's now the final countdown to the big day! With one week to go, we thought it would be helpful to create a handy little checklist, a week before the wedding timeline to ensure things are not left to the last minute or even worse, forgotten about! This is a must-read for all couples in the final stages of wedding planning - obviously everything on the list won't be relevant to you and your other half, so take what is, and ditch the rest!

Photo by Remain in Light Photography via One Fab Day

One Week to Go Before Your Wedding

Do your final guest list for your venue and finalise the table plan.
Have your engagement ring(s) cleaned.
Do a final wardrobe check (full dress rehearsal!) for the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen and little attendants making sure you have all the essentials and pack them away safely. Gents, make sure you have a second shirt!
Practice wearing your wedding shoes. If they have slippery soles you may want to lightly buff or scuff them to give a bit of grip. Or grab yourself a pair of sole grip pads. Spray any suede shoes with protective spray.
If you are renting your groomsmen's suits, nominate the best man or one of the groomsmen to pick them up and drop them off on the return date.
Confirm your beauty and hair appointments as well as the morning-of schedule with your hair and beauty artists and with your wedding transport company.
Grooms, you'll probably want to get a haircut with just a week to go, to ensure it's neither too long or too short.
Dying your hair? Get your final colour done.
Share and communicate your wedding-day timeline to your bridal party, parents and your wedding or venue coordinator. (One Fab Day tip: create and share a list of contact numbers for everyone within the bridal party incase the bride and groom can't be gotten hold of)
Call to confirm all the details with your suppliers such as timings and locations. Don't forget to tell them if you will have a planner or coordinator on the day and provide them with contact info for them or the person of contact on the day-of. (You'll be too busy getting all dolled up to give directions!)
Make sure your photographer and your videographer has your chosen shot list, your band or DJ has your song list (if needed), and that your venue knows when each supplier will be arriving to set up as well as their name.
Going on honeymoon soon after the wedding? Do any last-minute shopping for your travel needs and pack them away. Place your passport, travel documents and currency somewhere together safely.
Vows and speeches: if you are planning on doing either of these, make sure you do the final edits and practice to calm any nerves.
Visit your dentist for any teeth cleaning needed.
If you're getting ready at home or have guests staying with you for the wedding, start to prep your home. Change sheets, make sure you have enough guest towels etc.
Pack your guest welcome bags if you're having them. We have a handy checklist here.

Photo by Siobhan Byrne Photography via One Fab Day

2-3 Days Before Your Wedding

Go for your spray tan. Depending on how natural you want it to be, you can get this up to two days before).
Go for your manicure and pedicure. (One Fab Day tip: Unless getting a long-lasting manicure like a gel manicure, buy the colour you choose to fix any accidental, last-minute chips)
Massage, waxing and all your other preening and prep (no facials at this stage to prevent any potential breakouts) - get our full wedding beauty timeline here.
Make last-minute changes to table plan if necessary
Pack up any ceremony or reception décor items in separate boxes for what goes where for easy transport and setting up. (One Fab Day tip: put together a sample place setting and take a snap, then place all items in a bag or box for each table containing everything that will be placed on it. i.e Table number, place cards, favours, menus etc.)
Pack an emergency kit with wedding-day must-haves such as glue for false eyelashes, spray deodorant, pins of every kind, bandages, a hairbrush, clear nail polish, Water Wipes, a sewing kit etc.
Pack your bathroom basket items. We have a list of everything you need here.
If you are giving your bride, groom, mum, dad, bridesmaids or groomsmen gifts before the wedding/morning of, ensure they’re wrapped and ready to go with note or card.
If you are exchanging letters or gifts with your other half on the morning of the wedding now is a good time to put pen to paper, or wrap the gift and write the note, so it's ready to go when you are saying your farewells if you are not spending the night before the wedding together.

Photo by Moat Hill Photography via One Fab Day

1 to 2 Days Before Your Wedding

Place final payments and cash tips into separate envelopes for each wedding supplier and give them to the groomsman, a trusted friend or family member to pay on your wedding day.
Pack your wedding overnight bag and ask someone to deliver it to where you'll be staying.
Ceremony rehearsal, if you're having one.
Rehearsal dinner, if you're having one.
Think about a plan for removing all your decor or gifts from the venue the night of or morning after the big day. Nominate a friend or family member to help if you are heading away on honeymoon.
Check in with your bridal party to make sure that they have all their suits and dresses, shoes and accessories from their shirts, ties, socks and cufflinks to bridesmaids jewellery, bags, cover-ups etc.

The Day Before Your Wedding

If you are planning on doing any styling yourself, set up at venue (make sure to have confirmed this with the venue a few weeks before) try and get this done as early as your venue allows.
Drop off place cards, table cards, menus, favours, table plan to reception coordinator.
Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to reception venue.
Make sure you have all essential marriage ceremony documents safe and nominate someone to bring them to the ceremony the following day.
Iron or steam anything that needs doing. The groomsmen will more than likely need to iron their shirts and trousers from being bagged up. If your dress or bridesmaids dresses have elements that need steaming or ironing such as sashes etc., now is the time to do this. You don't want to be pulling out the iron on the morning of the wedding! Make sure to follow your bridal boutique or manufacturer's guidelines on the best way to prep the dresses.
Leave your wedding dress out of the dress cover to let it breath and fall naturally.
Pack your wedding day handbag - here's a handy checklist.
Have a relaxing lavender bath.
Prep your pre-wedding playlist - here's one we prepared earlier!
Pop the champers in the fridge to chill and get a good night's sleep!