Bride's Guide: Q&A for the Big Day

April 16, 2010— -- When you're planning a wedding, there are a lot of lists. The guest list. The registry list. The vendor list. The do-not-play list. And most important, the to-do list.

Luckily, I love lists.

During the past year, I have come to appreciate the benefits of technology in the wedding-planning process. Scanning and e-mailing vendor contracts is much more efficient than faxing or mailing them. The online gift registry is essential. And I'm very attached to my Google Doc RSVP list, which I can tap into and update from any computer and share easily (CLICK HERE to see a sample template).

But I still haven't found any feature on my computer or BlackBerry that replicates the satisfaction of crossing items off a handwritten list as you accomplish them.

Celebrity wedding planner and author of "The Wedding Book" Mindy Weiss is answering some of my questions as I count down the final 30 days to my wedding. When I asked her to share her expert advice for a bride for the last month before the big day, I was thrilled when she sent me a list of her Top 10 Tips.

Even better, many of those tips include … making lists!

1. You must confirm with all your vendors and go over your expectations for the wedding day. Make sure that your vendors are paid ahead of time, so you're not writing checks before you walk down the aisle. Also talk to your officiant to go over last-minute details.

3. Make your seating chart early. Even if guests cancel, it's nice to have that out of the way. The list can get to the calligrapher or printer for the seating cards and you can fill the tables in the week of the wedding. (For advice on how to approach guests who haven't RSVP'd, CLICK HERE).

4. Don't try any new products on your face, because you could have an adverse skin reaction.

5. Assign someone a list of tasks that you are worried about, and consider a "day of" wedding coordinator so you don't have to worry about whether your vendors are showing up on time.

6. Schedule the pick-up of your dress and walk in your new shoes two weeks before the big day to break them in. It's a good idea to have a second pair of shoes to change into during the reception, because you don't want to end up walking barefoot. (Mindy said she had a bride step on glass midway through the evening!)

7. Have your wedding license and any items you need for the ceremony compiled in a box so as not to forget anything. You can't be too prepared -- it doesn't hurt to have items like matches for a unity candle handy if need be. Make sure all your clothing for the bride and groom are all together ... many of Mindy's couples seem to leave their shoes or bow ties at home, she said.

9. Practice dancing a bit for your first dance, especially if you haven't taken lessons.

10. Nothing is perfect … let go and find your sense of humor!

I'm still working on that last one. I'll have to put it at the top of the list.

Continue Reading:
CLICK HERE for Day 26, Weiss' suggestions for great gifts for the attendants in your wedding party.

More:

CLICK HERE to visit Mindy's Web site.