Make Sure You Do These 4 Things the Night Before Your Wedding

In the month leading up to your wedding, you can expect final headcounts, walkthroughs, and other last-minute tasks. During the week before your wedding, you’ll probably pick up your day-of attire, help guests coordinate their arrival, get a mani-pedi, and maybe check in with your weather app every hour.

But on the eve of your wedding day, you can finally put all the planning behind you to focus on the momentous occasion. You’re getting married in a matter of hours! You likely have the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner scheduled for the night before, but once those end, how will you spend your final hours as a fiancé(e)?

Here are four pre-nuptial priorities to make the most of the night before your big day.

Special thank you to Key Moment Films for providing video highlights

Spend time with loved ones

Ask any married couple: weddings go by in a flash! With so many people sharing well wishes, your wedding day might feel like a matter of quantity over quality when it comes to getting face time with loved ones. 

That’s why many couples surround themselves with their closest friends and family on the eve of their wedding. After the rehearsal dinner, it can feel like the calm before the most pleasant of storms. Why not take advantage of the time with a low-key, pressure-free celebration with your VIPs?

“As stressful as your events can be, the evening before doesn’t have to be,” assures Jen Sulak, lead wedding photographer for Weirdo Weddings. “Take in a nice dinner, play games, and talk about life with everyone. You will find that connection to be very intense before the big day as emotions are high, and you support each other!”

But it’s all fun and games until you wake up with a headache the following day! Founder of Key Moment Films, Mary Angelini, encourages couples to enjoy a celebratory drink but “avoid excessive drinking to feel fresh and clear-headed on the morning of your wedding day.” If you partake, “make sure you have electrolyte drinks on hand and chilled in your room so you can fill up just before bedtime for extra hydration,” she says.

(Even if you don’t drink alcohol, hydration is your best friend! Drink plenty of water the night before the wedding to maintain energy and bring out your natural glow.)

Spending the evening with your favorite people before the wedding is the perfect way to kick off a celebratory weekend. Just make sure to be responsible and hit the hay early!

Do something special for your partner

On the eve of your wedding, you’ll undoubtedly feel immense love and gratitude for your partner. If you are spending the night apart, channel these emotions into a thoughtful gesture for your future spouse — a memento they’ll cherish for years to come.

Rosy Feliciano, co-owner of Rosy & Shaun Wedding Photography, suggests “writing a heartfelt note, expressing your love, gratitude, and anticipation for the day ahead.” You can have it delivered in the morning or share it with them during the first look.

If you’re reading this and have time to plan an extra special something, Feliciano recommends “sending a thoughtful gift or personalized keepsake to your partner to commemorate this special night apart.” 

For those spending the evening together, consider preparing a romantic surprise for the two of you, like a couple’s massage or a sweet video of your favorite moments. Think of it as a preview of your honeymoon!

Set yourself up for a stress-free morning

Before checking out of wedding planning entirely, take a moment for a final check-in to ensure you’ve tied up all the loose ends. You’ll feel much more prepared to take on the next day, knowing everything will run as it should!

“It’s essential to take a bit of time out to review your checklist and ensure all details are sorted,” confirms Rajbir Grewal, owner of Lux Affairs. “While most items should be completed prior, minor details can slip the mind. Confirming that all details are in place will provide peace of mind and help alleviate any stress.”

Revisit the wedding timeline, confirming when and where your day starts. How you start your day impacts the event’s flow, so make sure to set yourself up for success.

In addition to your day-of schedule, House of Joy’s creative director, Samantha Leenheer, offers a reminder to sort through your wedding day essentials. “Triple-check your bags and make sure everything is clearly labeled,” she says. “You’d be surprised how many times someone needs to get something for you, and having it all labeled is really helpful.”

Just a few minutes can make a big difference in how smoothly the morning goes, so don’t overlook this last review before your wedding. Then, once you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s, it’s time to take it easy and settle in for a quiet evening.

Prioritize R + R

You probably have an early start the next morning, so don’t stay up past bedtime! Getting plenty of time to unwind ensures you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to seize the day. Whether you two are staying together or separately, plan an evening of rest and relaxation to preserve your energy for the big day.

“If you plan to reside together the night before, prepare for a super low-key, romantic evening, complete with any amenities available so that you are pampered and stress-free,” says Sarah Chianese, owner of Mangia and Enjoy!

Otherwise, “prepare for something that pampers one another to offer that stress-free, pre-event vibe,” Chianese suggests. “If a soothing massage, a bubble bath with Prosecco and fruit, and a nice hot stone massage in your respective rooms delight you, go for it!”

You’ve worked so hard to get to this point! You’ve planned every detail, communicated with guests, and coordinated vendors — now is your time to sit back and soak it all in.

Angelini recommends squeezing in a gratitude practice to reflect on the moment’s magnitude. “Take a moment to reflect on the day that just passed and the moments that brought you here,” she says. “Silently or together, express gratitude for your relationship and the support of your family and friends.”

Then, when it’s time to hit the hay, “practice deep breathing or meditation to calm nerves and help you have a good night’s sleep,” Angelini adds.

As the night before your wedding ends, remember that this time is just as special as the big day itself. By checking off these boxes, you’ll feel fully prepared and energized to embrace the joy of your wedding day. Take a deep breath, savor the excitement, and prepare for the best day ever!

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.