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Give your
marriage license to the minister
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Pre sign
the license with witnesses and minister
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If
accounts are not settled, do them prior to the wedding.
Put any final payments and tips to vendors in discreet
envelopes
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Go
through any last minute instructions with the minister,
planner and photographer
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Remember
to assign tasks to the bridal party members so that you have
few or no duties this day. Give them verbally and in
writing.
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Ask
minister, planner and photographer if there are any ceremony
tasks to be assigned to bridal party to arrange who does
what when
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Bring any
instructions or schedule with you and make sure all members
of the bridal party have one
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If dinner
is not on location, bring written instructions or map and
have one of the bridal party members distribute them
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Give
rings to Maid of Honour and Best Man prior to ceremony
beginning
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Get Maid
of Honour or bridesmaid to distribute flowers and rose
petals and make sure any last minute decorating is completed
by the bridal party
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If you
are bringing bubbles, seed or rice (where permitted) have
usher distribute them to guests
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If you
are having a champagne toast after the wedding, assign Best
Man or Ushers to open the bottles immediately after the
ceremony ends and distribute glasses
-
If you
are having a cake and champagne ceremony, usually the
Bridesmaids and Ushers serve the guests so ask the Maid of
Honor or who you assign this to to speak to the planner
ahead of time
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If you
need a cake topper, special bridal knife or guest book
assign this to a member or give it to the planner
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Much of
your time will be spent with the photographer who may not
know family and important guests you want photographed, be
sure a bridal party member has a list of important people
and let her bring them to the photographer. If an
outdoor wedding, make sure at least one photo of these
guests is done prior to the wedding when everyone looks
their best
-
Guests
sometimes interfere with the photographer's taking photos by
their flash going off or standing in the way (or in the back
of your soon to be photo). Let them know there will be
plenty of time to obtain their photos when the photographer
is not working and afterwards. Since they are usually
not aware, you also could assign someone who is not part of
the bridal party to run interference when necessary and
politely explain. This will ensure you get great photos from
your professional.
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Spend
some time with each of your parents today individually and
together
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Spend a
few minutes together by yourselves to relax and exchange any
personal gifts
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Have a
bridal party member pick up marriage certificate, binder and
other wedding items for safe keeping after the ceremony for
you
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Arrange
for someone to have your bridal gown professionally cleaned
immediately after the wedding and return any rented items
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With
everything assigned well ahead of time, relax, smile and
enjoy every minute of your most special day.