Feeling overwhelmed is normal the closer you get to your wedding day. It seems like you can’t spare even just a minute to relax since your tasks will pile up if you do.  

This feeling of overwhelmingness that comes with it can become more pronounced weeks before your wedding. When you reach the one-month mark, you will also become more stressed out as you work through your planning and to-do list.

You may even start feeling that a month won’t be enough to pull off the wedding of your dreams.

The 30-Day Wedding Countdown

Creating another checklist for the important things you have to do a month before your wedding can help you stay organized and complete all your tasks before your big day.  

Below are eight vital things you have to prioritize the month prior to your wedding:

  1. Double-check your wedding bands.

The ideal time to check and double-check your wedding rings is four weeks before the big day.

If you ordered lab-grown diamond wedding bands because they are more affordable yet look like and are as strong as their mined counterparts, but haven’t received them yet, find out if you will get them on time.

If you already have your wedding rings, check if they fit your and your partner’s fingers. If they don’t, find out how long the jeweler needs to adjust them.  

Also, if you and your partner want to have your wedding bands engraved, check with your jeweler how long it will take them to do this. Make sure you get this done two to three weeks before your big day.

Keep in mind that although your lab-grown diamond wedding bands already look stunning, having them engraved will give them a more personal and romantic touch, making them more valuable pieces of jewelry for you as a couple.

  1. Write your vows.

If you are writing your vows, the longer time you have, the better.

Your vows are the mainstay of your wedding. They are your promises to one another. In the future, you might regret how much time you spent stressing on details that may go unnoticed, but you won’t feel sorry sitting down to think about your declarations to your loved one.

If you don’t know where and how to start writing your vows, follow these simple tips:

  • Go online to read examples of wedding vows.
  • Record your special experiences together that always make you smile or evoke happy emotions and choose one or two that you can add as stories.
  • Speak with your partner about the tone.
  • Come up with at least two promises.
  • Avoid cliches.
  • Add a reference to your future together.

Working on your vows for at least a month gives you plenty of time to polish your speech. 

Remember to try to keep it under two minutes. Since you have several weeks to write and rewrite it, you will be able to stick to this limit, yet still, exchange words that are memorable and special with your partner.

  1. Take care of all the legal aspects associated with getting married.

Make sure you have everything you need to have a religious or civil wedding, most particularly a marriage license.

Also, you can start working on the process of changing your name (if you plan to). Call, visit, or check your town or city’s courthouse website to find out the process.

Prioritize changing your name on your driver’s license, passport, and other government-issued identification.

Also, find out how you can change your name on your credit and debit cards and your beneficiaries for your investment accounts and insurance plans.

  1. Wrap up your wedding guest headcount.

At least three weeks before your big day, go over the list of people you invited and check who have responded that they will attend your wedding.  

Also, call or send a message or email the invitees who missed the deadline and find out if they are going or not.

Once you have the final headcount, give your caterer and venue organizer the number so that they can get everything ready for the event.

If some of your guests are from out of town, help them find suitable accommodations. Try to arrange transportation for them as well, especially if they are flying in.

Lastly, consider assembling gift baskets for your out-of-town guests. You can ask your bridesmaids and friends to help you with this.

  1. Finalize everything and check in regularly with your vendors.

With nearly everything set in stone, you can finalize all the details with your vendors.

Aside from giving your final guest count to your caterer and venue organizer, you should:

  • Send your wedding playlist to the DJ or band.
  • Check with your florist regarding your chosen flowers and their arrangements.
  • Create and send a list of key shots you want your photographer to capture during the wedding.
  • Go over the pickup times and locations with your transportation service provider, including your limousine chauffeur, if you hired one.

A week before your wedding, consider paying your vendors in full to avoid the hassles of doing this on your special day.

  1. Organize your seating chart.

Since you already have the complete guest list, you can now set up the seating chart.

Start with the easy tables, such as your parents, siblings, close relatives and friends, co-employees, etc.

Next, work on your harder-to-place guests, including your single friends and relatives. Try seating them in empty spots at various tables, preferably with one or two people they already know.

  1. Double-check everything you’ll wear on your wedding day. 

A week or two before your special day, do your final dress fitting.

Make sure you follow these steps to ensure you look and feel like a princess on your wedding day:

  • Wear the undergarments you will use on your wedding day to check if they fit you and won’t distract from your ensemble.
  • Wear your wedding shoes during the fitting and break them in by walking in them at home.
  • Try on your earrings, necklace, and other jewelry pieces.
  • Put on your veil, topper, and other accessories you plan to wear on your wedding.  
  1. Organize all beauty appointments.

Lastly, organize your beauty appointments to ensure you look and feel your best on your wedding day.

These include getting a haircut, eyebrow shaping, and hair removal treatment. Don’t forget to get a massage, facial, and other spa treatments to help you relax and get a glowing look.

Also, make sure you have already selected and booked your hair and makeup artists for your wedding day.

With this checklist, you can make the most out of your remaining four weeks of planning and preparation, experience less stress, and have the wedding of your dreams.