Because of covid-restrictions on gatherings, Igor and I got legally & church married before having the party-wedding with all our friends and family. And I’ll be honest – our legal wedding wasn’t as “fun” as you’d hope a wedding would be. I woke up early in the morning to do a Target run, pick up the rings, pick up the flowers, drive 40 minutes to my hair and makeup appointment, etc. We were running a little late & we didn’t have a planner/help so I was coordinating everything.

I didn’t want our social wedding to be that stressful. So in the months leading up to the event, I got hyper-organized. I created a checklist for myself so I could pack the car in advance and just feel confident that everything was in place.

In case you want inspiration for your own wedding mental-sanity, here was mine:

Checklist for Detail Photos

• Caili’s Outfit
  • Dress
  • Hanger for dress (please don’t have a plastic hanger. Looks bad in the photo of dress hanging)
  • Veil
• Igor’s Outfit
  • Tux
  • Watch
  • Cufflinks
  • Bow tie
  • Black Socks
  • Igor’s shoes
• Details for photos
  • Caili’s Shoes
  • Bouquet (florist provided)
  • Loose flowers (florist provided)
  • His & her rings
  • Caili’s Jewelry
    • Grandma’s ring
    • Earrings
    • Bracelet
    • Necklace
  • Vows
  • 2 Copies of Invites & envelopes
  • Sheet music for our violinist during the ceremony
  • Fall leaves
  • Map of Snowbasin (our venue)
  • Ski lift passes
  • Ribbon)

Checklist for Girls Getting Ready

• Robes for my best friends
• Cheap champagne for a popping photo

Checklist for Couple Photos

• Touch up makeup
• Hair curler just in case I deflate
• Extra contract lenses in case something goes wrong with the ones I had in

Checklist for Venue Preparation

• For Dinner Tables
  • Candles
  • Candle holders
  • Table Name Cards
  • Table Name Card Holders
  • Guest name cards
  • Flowers & Vases (if not provided by your florist)

• General Decor
  • Cake toppers
  • Sign in Table Stuff
    • Sign-in book
    • Pens
    • Card box
    • “In loving memory…” sign
  • Seating chart
  • Bar menu
  • Multiple print outs of the family photos list (given to the DJ to hold)

• For the Ceremony
  • Aisle Runner
  • Name cards for family in the front row
  • Photo of Samuel Lim (deceased grandfather) for front row
  • Basket up front with…
    • Tissues
    • Copy of officiant script
    • Vows
  • Petal toss bags
  • Wagon & needed pillows (so baby could come down aisle)
  • Baskets & Petals for flower girls
• And a bunch of stuff for baby haha

–> Planning a wedding can be overwhelming! But I gotchu 😉 After going to so many events as a photographer, I’ve got plenty of recommendations and experience with everything wedding-related. Click here to learn more about the Caili Chung Photography Wedding Experience <3

Or read more free resources for brides on my blog!