What to Bring With You...

As a total sidetrack to the post I am about to write, I must tell you that in preparation for a Christmas-time event happening tomorrow I had to go to Costco today and pick up prizes for employees to win. If you are looking for a present for someone and want to get them something great without spending a million dollars, you must stop in! I spent about $300 on gifts and got at least 20 different gifts...and not stupid ones you wouldn't want to win. I mean an iHome, movie tickets, fuzzy blankets, cool kitchen and home items, great food and coffee gift baskets, and more.

But aside from that little piece of wisdom, I am writing today to tell you what you should bring with you to a Christian ceremony and the reception (sorry I'm not as familiar with Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu weddings). And by no means do I mean that it has to be you actually bringing the items. Put a bridesmaid, a family member, a planner, or anyone you can trust in charge of these things when possible, because you might end up getting so busy that day you forget.

This list is taken from Mindy Weiss's "The Wedding Book" coupled with my own advice:

TO THE CEREMONY...

• Wedding day emergency kit (see my previous post on what to include in one)
• Copy of the vows (needed for memorization or to have in case you forget) unless you're simply repeating what the officiant tells you
  
• Programs (you should make sure to print one per attendee plus extras just in case someone loses theirs or wants to take an extra home as a souvenir) and anything you'll be keeping them in, unless you're having someone stand there the entire time to personally hand them out
  
• Wedding rings (well duh!)--let the honor attendants do their job and be responsible for this one
• Ring bearer's pillow (don't tie the rings on until the last second, if you actually tie them on at all)
• Marriage license (the officiant will mail it in, so stamp the envelope and enclose a check to cover extra copies)
• Guest book and pen (whether this is a book, a photo frame, a tree to thumbprint, etc.) and I'd encourage you to bring pens (plural) as many have a tendency to run out or decide not to work for the fun of it
• Unity candle (if you're having one)
• Handkerchief, for bride if necessary
• Anything that will be handed out to guests (bells, fans, candles, etc.)
• Extra copy of the shot list for the photographer (your planner should already have this one under control if they're worth much)
• Schedule of events (again your planner should have this and extra copies, but it's a great idea to give each of your attendants and his a copy!)
• Boutonnieres (unless your floral designer is bringing them to the ceremony site)
• Bouquets (see above)
• Corsages (see above)
• Box for gift envelopes (have someone assigned to watch it if you're worried about anyone stealing some...I would never think of this happening, but I've heard a lot of stories to the contrary) if you're having a gift table at the ceremony
• Gratuities for vendors (if they're only coming to the ceremony, include the officiant tip here)
  

TO THE RECEPTION...

• Wedding day emergency kit (just drag it from the ceremony to the reception, where it should be less needed, but you never know)
• Guest book and pen (guests will not have all signed it at the ceremony so make sure to catch those stragglers at the reception
• Box for gift envelopes
• Gratuities for vendors (for tipping amounts, see my previous post) in name and vendor type labeled envelopes--sealed of course
  
• Tossing garter (if you don't already have it on)
• Tossing bouquet (likely your florist already has it at the reception site, but in case not)
• Cake-cutting knife (usually a shower gift, make sure it's laid on the cake table at the beginning of the reception if it's nice)
• Toasting glasses (again it's great to showcase them on the cake table when possible)
• Any items such as personal photos that you're using to personalize the space (try to have these preset instead of having to set them up really quick in between the ceremony and reception)
• Personalized cocktail napkins (again try to have pre-set, not getting laid out during the reception)
• Favors (if you can't already have them at the location; I think it's a great idea to have them at individual seats)
• Seating Cards (I vote for pre-setting them before the ceremony, but if not, make sure they get displayed before anyone would have reason to sit down at a table)
• Table Numbers (should be pre-placed if possible)
• Place Cards (see seating cards)
• Menus
• Extra copies of the shot list and "do-not-play" lists for the dj (again your planner should be on top of this if you have one)
• Extra copies of the schedule of events (for vendors only at the reception)
• Extra pair of shoes for the bride (let's face it, we all want to wear heels at the wedding, but prefer sneakers or flip flops by the end of the night...and no one will see them beneath your dress unless you want them to)
• Amenities for the restrooms, such as breath mints, deoderant, and safety pins
• A copy of any dvd or video you're showing (so I mean one for the person playing it and another just in case...make sure to test them both before the wedding)
• Extra cd of the first dance song (cause let's face it...it's probably the one you care the most about if it were to go wrong)..and if you want to be totally safe, put all of your ceremony and reception must have's on a second disk.
• MP3 player and speakers if you're providing the music (risky but definitely cost efficient)

So that's the list, and undoubtedly there are more items, depending specifically on the individual wedding. Just try to double check everything the night before. I recommend laying it all out beforehand, organizing it as best as possible, double counting and checking everything, and then putting it all in one bag or two and assigning people to be in charge of them. Try to double check that you have the bags before you leave each venue. Your planner can also be in charge of this as necessary.

For more questions about what to bring with you, email me at triedandtrueweddings@gmail.com. Happy Planning (and PS only 17 days until Christmas!)