The Final Countdown to Your Wedding Day

05/03/23 • 28 min

Unveiling Paradise: Your Go-To Destination Wedding Podcast

We’re back! It’s season 3 and we’re stoked to bring you our fresh new episode - the final countdown to your wedding day. In this episode, Joe and I talk about what happens 1 month before your wedding, 1 week before your wedding, and 1 day before your wedding. Sit back, relax and get ready for... the final countdown!
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
ONE MONTH TO GO:

Collect your RSVPs: You should ideally have your final guest count 1 month out. Share this number with your rental company, caterer and anyone else who needs to know.
Get your marriage license: This timing will differ in different states, so check with the state/country that you’re getting married.
Final dress fitting: Get fitted, and do the alterations as needed.
If you’re planning to write your own vows, give yourself the time and space to do it before the wedding day!
Thank you speech: Just like your vows, don’t wait until the last minute to write your thank you speech. Spend time thinking about everyone who has helped you during your engagement. PRO TIP: Don’t forget to thank your parents!
Create a wedding timeline (if you don’t have a wedding planner) that lists the following information: when is everyone arriving - vendors and guests, what is the flow of the day, when does the venue need to be fully cleaned up and empty? Put as much info as possible into this timeline so everyone knows where to be.
Start working on your photo list - who do you want pictures with, what family combinations?
Start working on your song list, too. What song do you want when you walk into the ceremony? What about the first dance? Think about these songs now because there are A LOT of great songs.

ONE WEEK TO GO:

Pack your overnight bag (make sure you include your invitation suite for photos)
Do a wardrobe check - do you have the right undergarments? Do your rental tuxes fit? Do you have socks?
Break in your shoes so your feet don’t hurt! Joe’s counterpoint - don’t break in your shoes - they’ll look dirty for your photos.
Plan ahead and wrap all gifts for your wedding party and family.
Pack your welcome bags now - don’t wait until the last minute.
Hand off your ceremony and reception items to someone in charge - a wedding planner or someone else in charge.

ONE DAY TO GO:

Do your wedding rehearsal. PRO TIP: Do it 2 days before so you have the day before your wedding to relax. Don’t forget to practice your kisses!!
REST! Don’t drink too much, stay out of the sun, and try to stay rested and calm
Write your vendor thank yous and pack their tips to hand off to your wedding planner or someone else in charge.
Double check your attire - is everything ironed or steamed? Do you have access to a steamer if not? Don’t forget to think about bridesmaid dresses, too!
Chill your champagne, and make sure you have glasses to toast. Cheers!

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Collect your RSVPs: You should ideally have your final guest count 1 month out. Share this number with your rental company, caterer and anyone else who needs to know.
Get your marriage license: This timing will differ in different states, so check with the state/country that you’re getting married.
Final dress fitting: Get fitted, and do the alterations as needed.
If you’re planning to write your own vows, give yourself the time and space to do it before the wedding day!
Thank you speech: Just like your vows, don’t wait until the last minute to write your thank you speech. Spend time thinking about everyone who has helped you during your engagement. PRO TIP: Don’t forget to thank your parents!
Create a wedding timeline (if you don’t have a wedding planner) that lists the following information: when is everyone arriving - vendors and guests, what is the flow of the day, when does the venue need to be fully cleaned up and empty? Put as much info as possible into this timeline so everyone knows where to be.
Start working on your photo list - who do you want pictures with, what family combinations?
Start working on your song list, too. What song do you want when you walk into the ceremony? What about the first dance? Think about these songs now because there are A LOT of great songs.

ONE WEEK TO GO:

Pack your overnight bag (make sure you include your invitation suite for photos)
Do a wardrobe check - do you have the right undergarments? Do your rental tuxes fit? Do you have socks?
Break in your shoes so your feet don’t hurt! Joe’s counterpoint - don’t break in your shoes - they’ll look dirty for your photos.
Plan ahead and wrap all gifts for your wedding party and family.
Pack your welcome bags now - don’t wait until the last minute.
Hand off your ceremony and reception items to someone in charge - a wedding planner or someone else in charge.

ONE DAY TO GO:

Do your wedding rehearsal. PRO TIP: Do it 2 days before so you have the day before your wedding to relax. Don’t forget to practice your kisses!!
REST! Don’t drink too much, stay out of the sun, and try to stay rested and calm
Write your vendor thank yous and pack their tips to hand off to your wedding planner or someone else in charge.
Double check your attire - is everything ironed or steamed? Do you have access to a steamer if not? Don’t forget to think about bridesmaid dresses, too!
Chill your champagne, and make sure you have glasses to toast. Cheers!

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Previous Episode

You Asked, We Answered!

HOT DAMN... We did it! We made it through season 2. Quick update: Tessa and Joe didn’t kill each other, and are STILL BFFs. #winning
Here’s the deal - In the middle of season 1, we stopped answering our listener questions. Why? Because we realized that we talk way too much, and the episodes were getting soooo long! We had to make the tough decision to cut them (OK, Joe made that decision so blame him). The good news is that we’ve gathered all of those questions to answer today, on the last episode of season 2. Sit back, tune in, and enjoy our season 2 wrap.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
We got a TON of great questions, so we picked our faves to answer in this episode. Listen in hear what Tessa and Joe have to say... as usual, they’re not on the same page for most.

What do we need to consider when we’re looking for flowers? Where do we start? What’s a nice budget and what should we consider?
What are your thoughts on book rooms? Do we think we need a travel agent? Should we meet them in advance to make sure they’re a good fit for our wedding?
When you’re choosing your wedding party, how do you choose? Do you pick your best friend or sister? Or someone who would do the best job?
Do you think we should spend so much money on your wedding - a one night party, or spend it on something more long term, like a house? How do we prioritize?
How do we navigate the outside voices that are “helping” us with our wedding planning, and how do we keep the peace? “I want to invite 100 of my friends to your wedding”, “I’m paying so I should be able to pick your photographer”... What do we do??
When should we send save the dates and let people know about our wedding? Is there such a thing as too soon?

Ahhhh, we miss you all already, but we will see you soon in SEASON 3!!
Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Or find us here:
Email [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com
Wanna join our email list? Email us and let us know!

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Next Episode

Avoid These 5 Wedding Day Emergencies

From weather disasters to wedding dress debacles, we’re talking about 5 of the most common wedding day emergencies. As a professional photographer and wedding planner, we’ve been through more wedding day emergencies than you can imagine. Hurricanes? YES! Food poisoning? YES! False Missile Alerts? ALSO YES! Tune in to this episode to hear our pro tips and advice to plan and prepare for these wedding day emergencies and so much more.

Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise

Avoid these common wedding day emergencies and have a plan for them

As Tessa always says, “hope for the best, plan for the worst” - chaos mayhem manager
FACT: 911 is not the emergency number is every country - be aware if you’re getting married in another country
#1: WEATHER
Common weather emergencies: rain and heat → tents are a great option for rain or heat, indoor venues are a great backup, also consider fans and umbrellas (need shade), and water = HYDRATE.
Less common weather emergencies: hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes → get creative: move the dates, move your venue, shift your wedding as needed. It’s rare, but it can happen.
#2: SICKNESS OR INJURY
If a guest is sick, hopefully if there’s enough time to update your caterer, seating chart, etc. If it’s too close to the date, you won’t be able to adjust anything.
If a guest gets sick at your wedding, designate someone to take care of that person.
What if guests are too drunk? Have a designated driver, who’s in charge of managing this? Plan in advance if you know people are drinking.
#3: VENDORS
What if your vendors get sick/injured? Most professionals will have a backup plan but check your contract. Some contracts will say they will cancel and refund so finding a new vendor is on the client. Read and understand what to expect.
#4: WEDDING DRESS IS STAINED OR DAMAGED
Where is the stain and how important is it to clean it up?
NOTE: Colored flowers (red roses, dyed orchids) can stain a dress if pressed up against the dress so be careful!
Assess where it is, and how to clean the fabric - Tide pens, Shout wipes and hand towels are key.
Grooms will often step on their bride’s dress and rip the bustle or a hook - safety pins are so important, even better than a sewing kit.
#5: UNINVITED GUESTS
Wedding crashers vs invited guests who forgot to RSVP
Talk about it in advance - what do you want to do if people show up with their kids, a plus one, or someone uninvited.
TIP: Increase your rental counts to give a buffer

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents

Email [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com