Two weeks out, the planning phase is over. Everything you do now is execution — confirming, collecting, and closing loops. This is where details slip if you’re not systematic. Work through this list category by category and you’ll arrive at your wedding day with nothing left to chance.
Vendor Confirmations
This is the most critical task of the two-week window. Every vendor you’ve booked needs a direct confirmation call or email — not a text, not an assumption that the contract is enough.
What to confirm with each vendor:
- Exact date, time, and address (including which entrance to use)
- Your cell phone number and a backup contact’s number
- Final payment amount and accepted payment methods
- Any logistics specific to your venue (parking, load-in restrictions, elevator access)
Go through this list vendor by vendor:
Caterer — Confirm the final guest count you submitted, the meal breakdown (how many of each entrée if applicable), dietary accommodations, and what time they’ll begin setup. If they’re handling the cake, confirm delivery time separately.
Photographer and Videographer — Share the finalized shot list. Confirm what time they’re arriving and where (getting-ready location vs. ceremony venue). Confirm how many hours are covered and when overtime kicks in. If you have a second shooter, make sure they have all the same info.
DJ or Band — Go over the must-play and do-not-play lists one final time. Confirm the ceremony music, processional, recessional, first dance, parent dances, and any special requests. Make sure they have pronunciation guides for any names they’ll announce.
Florist — Confirm delivery time and location for every item: bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony arrangements, and reception centerpieces. Confirm who’s receiving the delivery if you won’t be there.
Officiant — Do a full run-through of the ceremony script if you haven’t already. Confirm pronunciation of all names. If you’ve written personal vows, make sure they know the structure so they can cue you properly.
Transportation — Confirm pickup times, addresses, and the number of passengers for every vehicle. Share the wedding timeline so the driver understands the full picture, not just their leg of it.
Hair and Makeup — Confirm the start time for the first person in the chair, the order of everyone getting ready, and the address. If the team is traveling to you, confirm parking. Confirm the finish time and make sure it fits within your getting-ready window.
Venue Coordinator — Touch base to make sure everything is set. Confirm when vendors can begin setup, when the venue opens for guests, and who your point of contact is on the actual wedding day.
Final Guest Count and Seating
Your caterer and venue need a final headcount, usually due 10–14 days before the event. Submit it on time — late changes cost money and cause chaos.
- Finalize your RSVP list and lock the count
- Identify any last-minute no-shows or additions and handle them immediately
- Complete your seating chart if you’re doing assigned seating
- Print or finalize your escort cards and place cards
- Create a list of guests with dietary restrictions and make sure the caterer has it
Wedding Party Logistics
Everyone in your wedding party should have a written timeline two weeks out — not just a verbal heads-up.
- Send each person a document with call times, addresses, and what to bring
- Confirm that every bridesmaid and groomsman has their attire and knows where alterations are (if not already picked up)
- Confirm that everyone knows where to be for the rehearsal and what time
- If you’re gifting wedding party members, have those ready to distribute at the rehearsal dinner
- Assign roles: who holds the rings, who has the emergency kit, who handles the bustling of the dress
Attire Pickup and Final Fittings
Two weeks out is your last real window for alterations. Any later and you’re taking risks.
- Schedule your final dress or suit fitting if not already done
- Pick up the dress after the final fitting — don’t leave it at the bridal shop until the last minute
- Steam or press the dress, suit, and all wedding party attire (or arrange for someone to do this)
- Gather every item you’re wearing: undergarments, shoes, jewelry, veil, hairpieces
- Do a full dress rehearsal with your shoes to break them in
Ceremony Preparation
- Write or finalize your personal vows — don’t leave this until the week of
- Print vow cards so you’re not reading from your phone
- Confirm the ceremony order with your officiant
- If you have a ceremony program, finalize the content and send it to print
- Confirm the marriage license requirements in your county — some require it a certain number of days in advance. If you haven’t obtained it yet, do it this week
Payments and Tips
Go through your vendor contracts and identify every remaining balance due.
- Make a spreadsheet listing each vendor, what’s owed, when it’s due, and the payment method
- Prepare tip envelopes labeled with each vendor’s name
- Research customary tip amounts if you’re unsure (photographer: $50–$200, DJ: $50–$150 per person, caterer staff: 15–20% of the food bill split among the team, hair and makeup: 15–20%)
- Designate who is handing out the envelopes on the day — it shouldn’t be you
Timeline Distribution
Your wedding day timeline should be finalized and distributed to all key parties.
- The timeline should include vendor arrival times, getting-ready schedule, transportation pickups, ceremony start, cocktail hour, reception schedule, and vendor end times
- Send it to your photographer, videographer, DJ/band, venue coordinator, caterer, transportation, and any family members taking on day-of responsibilities
- Keep a printed copy in your emergency kit
Hotel Blocks and Guest Logistics
- Confirm room blocks are set up at the hotel and send the booking link to any guests who haven’t booked yet
- Confirm checkout times so guests aren’t scrambling the morning after
- If you’ve arranged shuttle service between the hotel and venue, confirm the schedule and share it with guests
- Prepare any welcome bags for out-of-town guests and arrange delivery with the hotel
Marriage License
If you haven’t done this yet, it is now urgent. Marriage license rules vary by state and county.
- Check the waiting period — some jurisdictions require 3 days between issuance and use
- Bring required documents (usually government-issued IDs, and sometimes divorce decrees if previously married)
- Know where the signed license needs to be returned after the ceremony and confirm your officiant knows this too
Emergency Kit
Assemble your day-of emergency kit and give it to your maid of honor or a trusted point person.
What goes in it:
- Safety pins and fashion tape
- Stain remover pen
- Blotting papers and touch-up makeup
- Pain reliever
- Antacids
- Breath mints
- Extra earring backs
- Clear nail polish (for stocking snags)
- Band-aids
- Phone charger and portable battery
- Printed copy of the timeline and all vendor phone numbers
- Cash for tips, parking, or unexpected needs
- Snacks — you will forget to eat
Personal Prep
- Schedule any pre-wedding appointments: spray tan, manicure, pedicure, brow shaping, massage. Book these for 2–5 days before the wedding, not the day before
- If you’re doing any kind of skin treatment, do a test run now — not close to the wedding where a reaction would cause problems
- Get your hair done as a trial run if you haven’t already
- Confirm your honeymoon bookings: flights, hotel, car rental, any tours or excursions
- Gather travel documents if you’re leaving immediately after the wedding
Digital and Practical Logistics
- Create a wedding day phone wallpaper or note with key vendor numbers — you won’t want to search through emails during the day
- Charge all devices: phones, cameras, portable batteries
- Test your playlist, vow cards, and any tech you’re using at the ceremony
- Delegate someone to manage your social media and announcements if you don’t want to do it yourself
- Set up an out-of-office if you’ll be on your honeymoon
The Week Before — What’s Coming Next
Once this list is done, the week before is smaller: picking up the dress, attending the rehearsal, the rehearsal dinner, delivering welcome bags, and resting. The groundwork you lay in these two weeks determines how smoothly that final stretch goes.
Most wedding day disasters aren’t random — they’re the result of a confirmation that never happened, a payment that wasn’t ready, or a vendor who had the wrong address. Work through this checklist methodically and you remove almost all of that risk.
The wedding is two weeks away. Start making calls today.