Your Ultimate Wedding Morning Checklist

The wedding morning is one of the most exciting - and emotional - parts of the big day. 

Whether you're a bride, groom, or part of the wedding party, knowing what to do the morning of the wedding can help keep nerves at bay and the vibe relaxed. 

That’s where a simple checklist for the morning of the wedding can make all the difference. Jess Ghansah, owner of on-the-day wedding coordination service Occasion Queens says that one of the biggest mistakes couples make on their wedding morning is: "Not giving yourself enough time. If things start running behind, it's going to make you feel stressed and that feeling will stay with you through to the ceremony."

To help everything run smoothly and minimise stress, we’ve put together a wedding morning checklist tailored to every key role - for a bride, a groom, a mother of the bride and your for any bridesmaids and / or groomsmen. If you have a role outside of this, these checklists will still help - simply build your own by taking what you need from each one. 

Your Wedding Morning Checklists

• Bride's wedding morning checklist
• Groom's wedding morning checklist
• Wedding morning checklist for the mother of the bride
• Bridesmaid wedding morning checklist
• Groomsmen wedding morning checklist

Why You Need a Wedding Morning Checklist

A wedding morning can be a blur of excitement, hair and makeup, flower deliveries, and last-minute checks. 

It’s easy to forget something important - like writing that letter to your partner, or eating breakfast!

Whether you're after a simple checklist for your wedding morning or more detailed guidance on what to do the morning of the wedding, we’ve got you covered with tailored checklists for every important role.

Wedding Morning Checklist for the Bride

You’ve planned every last detail of the day - now it’s time to enjoy it. Here’s what to do on the morning of your wedding to stay calm and in control.

Bride’s Morning Checklist:

• Eat something! Check out our wedding breakfast ideas if you’re stuck for ideas.
• Sip water regularly (no one wants a dehydration headache).
• Wear a button-down top or dressing gown (so you don’t ruin your hair and makeup when you need to get changed).
• Hand over your phone to someone you trust - your only job today is to enjoy.
• Do you have gifts to give to your wedding party? Make sure you have them handy!
• Have your wedding playlist ready - our morning of the wedding playlist is full of feel-good tunes.
• Exchange gifts or letters with your partner - we’ve got great ideas for letters to the groom. You can pass these on through someone else if you don’t want to see them
• Pack your essentials in a bag for someone in your wedding party to carry: perfume, lipstick, tissues, mints, flat shoes for dancing etc.
• Make sure you have your vows and rings handy, unless someone else is looking after them.
• If you’re giving a bride's speech, take a minute to run through it again.
• Breathe. Take a few quiet moments to soak it all in!

Wedding Morning Checklist for the Groom

It’s not just a bride who needs a plan. A calm and well-prepared groom sets the tone for the whole day.

Groom’s Morning Checklist:

• Charge your phone - then hand it to your best man or someone else in your wedding party.
• Pass on a love letter to your partner.
• Have breakfast (we can’t stress this enough).
• Double-check your outfit: shirt, shoes, socks, cufflinks, watch, aftershave etc.
• Pack emergency items: deodorant, mints, hair product, tissues and give them to someone to keep handy.
• Go over your vows or speech one more time.
• Get a few relaxed photos with your wedding party.
•  Arrive at the venue with plenty of time to spare.

Mother of the Bride Morning Checklist

As one of the most important people in the bride’s life, the mother of the bride often plays a big role in helping everything come together.

Mother of the Bride Checklist:

• Offer emotional support (and tissues!) as needed.
• Be on hand for any last-minute questions or issues from guests or vendors.
• Ensure the bride eats and stays hydrated.
• Have your own outfit, shoes, and accessories prepped.
• Take a few quiet moments with your child - it’s a big day for you both.

Bridesmaid Wedding Morning Checklist

Bridesmaids are there to support the nearlywed - emotionally, practically, and sometimes logistically.

Jess says: "If you don’t have a coordinator, I always recommend assigning someone to act as the “timekeeper” for the morning. This person can make sure things stay on track.

"Whether it’s keeping an eye on when hair and makeup is done, reminding everyone to get dressed on time, or making sure you’re all ready to go when it’s time to leave for the ceremony, and not forgetting the rings!"

Bridesmaid Checklist:

• Check your dress, shoes, and accessories are ready.
• Have an emergency kit prepared with plasters, needle and thread, mints etc.
• Be available for tasks like steaming dresses or collecting bouquets.
• Help keep the mood calm and positive - the bride will follow your lead.
• Be selfie-ready, but don’t forget to be present too.
• Keep snacks and water nearby for the group.
• Deliver any messages or gifts between the happy couple.

Groomsman Wedding Morning Checklist

Like bridesmaids, groomsmen play a key part in keeping the day moving - and the nearlywed calm.

Groomsman Checklist:

• Ensure your outfit is clean, pressed and complete.
• Help the groom stay on schedule (and calm).
• Keep emergency items on hand - lint roller, safety pins, mints, plasters.
• Take care of any last-minute errands (like picking up buttonholes).
• Be ready for photos - no pint in hand just yet (okay...maybe just one).

Wedding Morning Ideas to Make It Extra Special

Looking for thoughtful wedding morning ideas to make those pre-ceremony hours even more memorable? Try:

• Writing a letter or filming a short message for your partner to have before the ceremony.
• Getting up early to go for a walk, do some yoga, meditate - something to calm and centre you.
• Gifting your bridesmaids or groomsmen something small to thank them.
• Creating a calm wedding morning space with scented candles and a curated playlist.
• Arranging a special wedding morning breakfast to enjoy with your ‘I do’ crew.

"One of the loveliest things I’ve seen - and it always gets me - is when couples write personal letters to each other to read on the morning of the wedding," says Jess from Occasion Queens. "These are usually exchanged via a trusted bridesmaid, groomsman (or us!), and they create such a grounding, emotional moment before the day really kicks off.

"It’s a chance to pause and reconnect with why you’re doing all of this, just before walking down the aisle. It also makes for a beautiful photo opportunity (and sometimes a few happy tears!). It doesn’t have to be long or formal - just heartfelt. A little reminder of how much you mean to each other can go a long way in calming any nerves and setting the tone for the rest of the day."

Dealing with Stress or Nerves on Your Wedding Morning

It's normal to feel anxious or nervous on the morning of your wedding - it's a big day! But Jess has some tips on how to manage nerves on the morning of your wedding: "It's okay if everything doesn’t go exactly to plan. Trust your team of suppliers to handle the details, so you can focus on enjoying the day. Stay hydrated, eat a good breakfast, and remind yourself that this is your day to enjoy!"

The morning of the wedding is more than just a countdown to “I do” - it’s a beautiful and emotional part of the celebration. 

An Example Wedding Morning Timeline for Getting Ready

"Getting-ready timelines can vary a bit depending on how many people are having their hair and makeup done, but here’s a rough guide we often work from for a 1pm ceremony," says Jess.

"This is based on a traditional wedding party getting ready on site at the venue, but you can alter and adapt it to suit your needs:

• 12:00 - Hair and makeup complete
• 12:00 - Some relaxed pre-dress photos with your bridesmaids (robes, champagne etc.)
• 12:15 - Bride gets into dress (& bridesmaids get dressed). Groom arrives at ceremony for the interview
• 12:30 - Photographer gets bride's portraits and group photos with bridesmaids. Guests arrive.
• 12:45 - Final makeup touch-up, deep breath, and a quiet moment before heading to the ceremony. 
• 13:00 - Ceremony!

"I always advise the hair and makeup for the bride is complete an hour before she needs to leave for the ceremony so there's time for getting into the dress, photos, touch ups and no rushing," says Jess.

What time you start your morning prep will depend on how many people need to have hair and makeup done - for one bride and four bridesmaids for example, starting your prep at 8am works well.

What a Wedding Coordinator Does on the Wedding Morning

"On the morning of your wedding, our team arrives at your venue to take over as the main point of contact for all your suppliers," explains Jess.

"From managing arrivals to troubleshooting any last-minute questions, we ensure everything runs smoothly without anyone needing to call you whilst you're getting ready. The morning of your wedding you should be prosecco in hand, feeling chill whilst you're having your hair and makeup done!

"Meanwhile, we’re busy setting up your personal touches: stationery, signage, favours, guestbook, card box, candles, memory table - you name it. Our job is to make sure everything is exactly where it should be, so you can start your day feeling calm, confident, and completely cared for."

With a bit of planning (and a handy wedding morning checklist), everyone can feel calm, prepared and totally present.

If you need more advice, check out our guide to wedding party roles to help you.