What to do the month of your wedding
When it comes to a destination wedding, and an Italian one specifically, you cannot be too organised! The month before your wedding day will fly by and before you know it the countdown is done and you’re on a plane about to touch down in the country you’ll never forget.
But as we well know your wedding isn’t just about organising yourselves; it involves making sure your friends and family get there on time, hassle-free, clued up and ready for the good times. And Some guests will be on it from the start - booking flights, accommodation and reading all wedding comms (we strongly recommend wedding websites, as these are easy to update and immediately accessible for guests to read). And you’ll have some whose strengths perhaps don’t lie in being organised (you know the ones!). It is your job to ensure everyone has clear information so they can arrange what they need to.
Guests
Guests will need to be sure of their accommodation, transport transfers and shuttles and what they need to organise themselves. The itinerary of the wedding events should include main event timings and locations, including how they will be getting there (shuttle timings for coaches etc). It is a nice touch to include a brief note on the type of food available at each event - we are not saying list out the menu but, for example at the welcome event say ‘light bites’ or ‘pizza’ if that’s what you’re providing. This then allows guests to organise their own dinner reservations for after. We love to see when couples include information about the local area, where the supermarkets are and recommended places to eat when they aren’t dining with you.
Supplier
The month to get your vendor payments organised! Who do you need to pay, by which date and what payment method they wish to accept. We recommend sorting the bulk of payments the month prior to avoid last minute dashes to get cash out for the suppliers or trying to make online payments which limited WIFI. For wiring services both Wise and Revolt have free plans and Xoom does charge but is still recommended by other wedding couples.
Expect to have questions for your suppliers in these final weeks; be mindful that if you are marrying in peak season, suppliers will be on the ground delivering lots of other weddings. Be patient, but equally don’t be afraid to chase up if they are taking long to respond.
Support from your planner
It is common to speak with your planner regularly this month, sometimes daily if needed! There will be so many little pieces of information being passed back and forth between you; all necessary for final confirmations. If you haven’t scheduled a call with them the month prior, then get this booked in so you know you will have this time.
Photo: Na Lia Weddings
Changes in details
This month might see some guests drop-out for various reasons, so try and wait until now to prepare your table plan. Also, (not to create panic) this is the time when Airbnbs sometimes cancel, but also they occasionally take until now to finally confirm their full addresses. You will need all this to finalise the transport transfers.
Trust us when we say, every wedding has these last minute changes - it is completely normal!
Getting yourself sorted
Start a packing pile - a space where you can put everything you need to take over to Italy. Don’t leave shopping to the last minute, we recommend giving yourself a deadline to purchase these final bits and then say ‘enough’. Last minute shopping tends to end in panic buying things you do not need - like favours which no one will take home or use! Keep quality over quantity in mind here!
Getting glammed
Book in your beauty treatments well in advance and we would recommend having them in your home country. Fake tan isn’t as widely used in Italy and you do not want a ‘tangoed’ incident to deal with days before the wedding! Also, you should use these days before the wedding to soak up the wedding vibes, the culture, greeting friends and family who arrive early. As much as this might sound relaxing popping to have your nails done, the reality is you don’t not need extra appointments to manage.
Self-care
Don’t over-commit doing too much, you will burn out way before the big day. We know planning a wedding is big, and at times a challenging undertaking, but do try to limit additional stress. Yoga, meditation, a nice walk, exercising - be sure to make time to do your thing to relax. Protect your mental health, get your necessary sleep in and eat well. No one wants a fainting bride!
We appreciate there is so much to remember, that’s why wedding planner Lucy White created The Ultimate Wedding Tracker. With this baby by your side you really will be next level organised! It takes you through budgeting and every other crucial step in a handy document….so put your best planning foot forward and grab yourself one of these!
