Little details that make a big difference on your big day

So you're deep into wedding planning—venue booked, dress picked, maybe even the cake flavors chosen (yum!). But there are a few details that are often overlooked that can truly make or break how smooth and stress free your day feels.

As a planner, I always remind my couples: it’s the little things that help the big picture come together effortlessly. Here are five details couples often forget—but 100% shouldn’t!

1. Who’s Collecting Your Personal Items at the End of the Night?

You’ve just had the most magical night and your feet are sore from dancing, your cheeks hurt from smiling, and your getaway car is pulling up. You’re floating with joy and adrenaline… and the last thing you want to think about is where your guest book went or if your cake knife made it back in the box.

This is one of those small but super important details that can easily fall through the cracks. Between the floral arrangements, decor, signage, and personal heirlooms, there are likely a handful of items that belong to you—and they need to get packed up and brought home safely.

Here are just a few personal items couples often forget to assign:

Guest book + pens
Card box (with cards still inside!)
Personalized signage or keepsake table numbers
Cake knife + serving set
Framed photos or heirloom items
Leftover favors or programs
Any DIY décor you want to keep

Planner Tip: Create a short “personal items list” before your wedding day, and hand it off to your planner or a trusted friend/family member. Even better? Pre-pack labeled bins or boxes so they can just pop everything inside quickly and easily. That way, you can head off into married life without worrying about a single thing being left behind!

Trust me—future you will be so glad this part was handled!

2. Vendor Meals & Breaks

Your photographer, planner, DJ, and other pros have likely been working non-stop for 8–10 hours, capturing your moments, cueing the music, fixing timelines, and making sure everything runs smoothly. We love doing our job, but even the dream team needs a little time to refuel!

It’s super common (and usually in their contracts!) that vendors be provided a hot meal during your reception. But here’s the thing: it’s also one of the most frequently forgotten details on the big day.

Planner Tip: Coordinate with your caterer ahead of time to make sure vendor meals are included in your final count, and ask when and where those meals will be served. The best time? Usually when you and your guests are eating—so they don’t miss any important moments or speeches. Vendors don’t expect to be seated at guest tables (and usually prefer not to be!), but having a tucked-away space where they can sit for 10–15 minutes makes a world of difference. Don’t forget, some vendors have allergies, so make sure you keep track of that ahead of time too!

Bonus? Happy, well-fed vendors = better photos, better energy, and a better overall experience for you!

3. A Back-Up Plan for Weather—Yes, Even Indoors

We all dream of perfect blue skies on our wedding day… but weather has a mind of its own. And while your venue may technically be indoors, rain (even in Austin), wind, or extreme heat can still cause hiccups especially if any part of your day is planned outside.

Even something as simple as guests walking from the parking lot can be a challenge in Texas rain or a surprise cold front.

Planner Tip:

Have umbrellas ready for the wedding party and key guests (clear ones are beautiful for photos!)
For hot days, provide water at all times (or something with lots of electrolytes!)
Ask your venue about indoor ceremony options or covered spaces just in case
Communicate the Plan B with your vendors ahead of time, so everyone’s on the same page
Consider footwear—a backup pair of shoes or heel protectors for grassy venues can be a game-changer

Planning for “just in case” doesn’t mean you’re being negative—it means you’re being smart. Having a clear backup plan helps everyone (you included!) feel calm, confident, and fully present rain or shine.

4. How Are You Getting to the Venue?

It’s so easy to focus on the getaway car, but one of the most commonly forgotten details is actually how you're getting to the venue in the first place.

Between hair and makeup, grabbing your overnight bag, and making sure the bouquet gets where it needs to go, those morning hours can get hectic fast. If you’re getting ready at a hotel, Airbnb, or your home, make sure there’s a clear plan for how you, your partner, and your wedding party are all getting to the venue.

Planner Tip: One of the best ways to keep things calm and on schedule is by building extra travel time into your wedding day timeline, plus a little buffer for traffic or slower moments. If you're carpooling or planning to rely on family vehicles, be sure to assign drivers ahead of time so no one's scrambling to coordinate last-minute. Planning to arrive in style? Booking transportation for your wedding party like a fun trolley, party bus, or vintage car adds both ease and charm to the day. And don’t forget to pack your essentials the night before! That includes your overnight bag, vow books, marriage license, and anything else you’ll need after the celebration. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your morning smooth, joyful, and stress-free.

A solid transportation plan in the morning helps keep the day calm and on track—so you can stay focused on getting married, not getting stuck.

5. Who’s Handling Final Payments & Gratuities?

You’ve signed contracts, set your timeline, and your big day is finally here—but don’t forget about the final payments and gratuities some vendors require on the day-of.

Between saying “I do” and dancing the night away, you shouldn’t be fumbling for envelopes or trying to remember who still needs to be paid. Having a clear plan ahead of time is key.

Planner Tip:

Create clearly labeled envelopes for each vendor (use a note inside if you’re including a tip!)
Designate a trusted person—your planner, a parent, or MOH to handle the hand-offs
Ask vendors ahead of time when they expect payment or if gratuity is customary
Use digital payment apps if agreed upon in advance, but always confirm email or phone details before the wedding day!

✨ One Last Thought…

You don’t need to have all the answers—that’s exactly what I’m here for. My job is to think through these little details so you can be fully present and soak in every moment.

Planning a wedding and want to chat more? Let’s set up a free consultation—I’d love to help make your day feel effortless, joyful, and so you.

With Amore,

Laoise

5 Things Most Couples Forget to Plan—But Shouldn’t!