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!