20 Wedding Details Couples Usually Forget When Planning

bride and groom about to kiss outside — Photo by Kiyah C Photography

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. There are so many arrangements to make and so many details to decide. It can be hard to figure out when to do what! For many couples, the planning can get so overwhelming it can lead to a little anxiety. You might be thinking, "Am I missing anything important either before the festivities or on the big day?"

To make sure you haven't, we asked four wedding planners what couples generally forget to do before or during their wedding. With this expert advice, you'll be able to learn from the mistakes of others and enjoy a flawlessly executed day.

Wedding Day Details to Remember — Michela Buttignol/Brides

Read on for the 20 wedding details couples forget while wedding planning.

01 of 20

Silverware Rentals

"Typically everyone overlooks the rentals, which are super important and very expensive details at times," says Alyssa Pettinato, an event planner in New York City who specializes in weddings along with corporate events. "Nobody ever thinks silverware will be as expensive as it is, and it’s extremely important!" If your venue takes care of it, no worries, but if it doesn't, make sure to rent the silverware, which enhances the look of any wedding table.

02 of 20

Flowers for the Couple's Parents

"Another thing people forget is some of the personals for flowers like extra boutonnieres for dads and corsages for moms," shares Pettinato. Once you order them, don't forget to make sure everyone is wearing them on the big day. "You wouldn’t believe the amount of times photos have started and I’ve seen the groomsmen without the boutonnieres put on."

03 of 20

A Seamstress on Hand

"We try to remind our brides the importance of making sure they have everything they need for a successful morning while getting ready," says Shannon Hodges, lead designer for Hill & Co, a wedding design and planning company in Charleston. "That means making sure there is someone available to help steam dresses or fix a busted hem."

04 of 20

The Marriage License

Getting a marriage license may be tedious, but it is one of the most important parts of any wedding. After all, a couple isn't legally married without it. Don't forget to get one and bring it to the festivities, reminds Pettinato. "I always send multiple reminders about the marriage license, but there have been moments where people have to run back to the hotel."

05 of 20

Be Present

"Many couples forget to be present," adds Melissa Best, founder and lead consultant for Daybreak Management Group, an event planning company in New York City. "The day goes by so quickly. It's important to take deep breaths and take it all in."

06 of 20

Eating on the Big Day

Couples can get so wrapped up in the festivities on their big day that they forget to eat. Not only does the couple need nourishment to get themselves through the excitement, but they also want to enjoy the food they spent months (or years) picking out. "Everyone also always forgets to eat so I’m always reminding everyone to eat and hydrate throughout the day," adds Pettinato.

07 of 20

Payment for Vendors

"A lot of vendors will handle most of the payments prior to the wedding day, but there are a lot of vendors that collect the last payment a few days after or need to run the card after [the wedding]," reveals Pettinato. "This can be a little overwhelming so I always try to get couples to handle this prior to the wedding day."

08 of 20

Wedding Lighting

"Lighting seems to be an overlooked component quite often," says Olha Barabash, founder and lead wedding planner for Sense of Moment, a wedding planning company in New York City. "Remember that it is crucial to set sufficient room and space lighting to properly elevate those floral masterpieces and other details. Never underestimate the importance of the lighting and what huge impact it may have on the wedding design and overall ambiance."

09 of 20

A Backup Plan for Heat and Sun

"While everyone always talks about a rain backup plan, a lot of couples forget about a heat or sun backup plan, especially for outdoor weddings," admits Barabash. Sunlight can be harmful to string instruments, so musicians need a place to play that is out of the sun. If it's hot outside, your guests will need water to drink and fans to cool themselves off.

10 of 20

Include Yourself in the Guest Count

"Sometimes couples forget to include themselves in the final guest count," adds Barabash. "It's the smallest and the most obvious detail, but yet, it still happens."

11 of 20

Take Your Daily Meds

This may also seem obvious, but sometimes couples get wrapped up in the festivities and forget to take their daily medications. "You must have them on you the day of the wedding," reminds Barabash.

12 of 20

A Thank You Speech

Many couples forget to prepare remarks to thank their families, friends, and guests, or they decide to wing it. That is a mistake, reveals Barabash. "Whether it’s a brief thank you or dedicated toast after the cake cutting, make sure you have it ready. Don’t use your phone. A written or printed card works perfectly fine."

13 of 20

Reserve Seats for Family

If you want family members or friends to have reserved seats during the ceremony, don't forget to place signs on seats for them.

14 of 20

Gratuity for Vendors

To really show your appreciation to vendors, consider adding a tip to your thank you note. "Gratuity is important," reminds Hodges. "If a couple feels like they have received exceptional service, it is a great idea to make sure your vendors know they did an A-plus job."

15 of 20

Trim Your Guest List

"Many couples lament inviting guests out of obligation like their extended family," says Best. "They wish they had prioritized friends and loved ones who were a part of the journey of their relationship. I've never encountered a couple that [wishes] they had more wedding guests."

16 of 20

The Vows

"A lot of couples forget to prioritize writing their vows," says Best. "I can't tell you the number of couples still fine-tuning their vows on their wedding day. The vows are the heart of the ceremony and the foundation of a marriage."

17 of 20

Take Pictures With Certain Guests

"Photographers and planners will always put an extra emphasis on [the wedding] party and family photos," says Best. "However, sometimes couples look back on their photos and realize that they should have created space for pictures with their guests also. A fun way to do this is via a photo booth or taking a moment during the reception to greet the guests at each table and have the photographer take a group picture."

18 of 20

Assign Someone to Gather Gifts

If guests bring presents to your wedding, don't forget to assign someone to collect the gifts and deliver them to you after the festivities.

19 of 20

A Phone Charger

Your wedding day can be long and your phone battery might die! Keep a charger on hand to make sure you can use your phone on your big day if you desire.

20 of 20

Thank Yous for Vendors

During the craziness of the wedding, it can be easy for couples to forget to say thank you to their vendors. But these are the people who made your big day happen, so it's important to show your appreciation, expresses Pettinato. "I always tell my couples to send thank you notes to all the vendors," she shares. "Usually I help them with this, but it’s always good to let everybody know that you appreciated all of their efforts for the day of your wedding."