Don’t Forget

By Nicolette DeFraine, SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER—Find out if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers your engagement ring; if not, purchase additional coverage.

Consider taking out a wedding-insurance policy to protect yourself against unforeseen cancellations and/or damage to important items.

Paperwork can be problematic. Check county and state laws for the required documents you’ll need to obtain a wedding license ahead of time (just in case you need to order a new copy of a birth certificate or divorce papers, etc.), and renew your passport and refill prescription medications long before your honeymoon.

Be sure to have plenty of items on your gift registry well ahead of your bridal shower(s), and be ready to add more afterward. If your guests run out of items to choose from, you’ll likely end up with gifts you don’t want or can’t use.

Check on the parking situation at your venues, You may want to look into parking/valet services for your guests if the facilities are far away from your venue, especially if you have guests who may require assistance getting in and out.

Pack an emergency kit for your wedding day. Include extra nail polish, both clear (to stop stocking runs) and the color of your manicure and pedicure (to fix chips); bobby pins; breath mints; bandages; basic over-the-counter medicine (ibuprofen, antacid); hairspray; a stain-removing stick; and any cosmetic tools that you might need to freshen up your look.

Ask someone in your bridal party to have a “doggie bag” set aside for you — after all that time you spent picking out a menu, you’ll be so busy running around your reception that you might miss out on enjoying the food.

Thank those who helped and offered support along the way — not just the bridal party. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family friends may have been instrumental in your wedding’s success, so don’t forget to buy gifts and write thank-you notes.