The Ultimate Wedding Day Checklist for Charleston, S.C. Brides

Plan Your Charleston Wedding with Confidence, Calm, and a Little Lowcountry Magic: The Ultimate Wedding Day Checklist for Charleston, S.C. Brides

Planning your wedding in Charleston South Carolina is an exciting adventure. Whether you dream of a romantic plantation ceremony, a waterfront celebration, or a chic downtown gathering, this wedding checklist will help you stay organized, calm, and ready to enjoy every moment.

This guide includes smart planning tips, local suggestions, and links to trusted wedding resources like The Knot, Zola, and WeddingWire.

Two Weeks Before the Wedding

• Final dress fitting with shoes and undergarments
• Break in your wedding shoes
• Confirm the final timeline with all vendors
• Send the day-of timeline to the wedding party and family
• Confirm headcount and meal selections with the caterer
• Prepare cash tips and vendor thank-you cards
• Final beauty appointments including waxing, facials, or hair color
• Use Zola’s Honeymoon Packing Guide

One Week Before

• Pick up wedding attire including dress, veil, suit, and accessories
• Create a wedding day emergency kit with pain relievers, sewing kit, mints, and other essentials
• Organize marriage license paperwork
• Practice your vows
• Final RSVP check
• Confirm transportation logistics for guests and wedding party
• Print or write vows, toasts, and speech notes
• Prepare welcome bags if offering them

Want to be sure you’re not missing anything? The Knot’s Weekly Wedding Checklist has you covered.

The Day Before

• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• Steam or press wedding outfits
• Give rings and marriage license to the officiant or trusted person
• Get a manicure and light spa treatment
• Layout flatlay items for your photographer such as invitations, jewelry, and perfume
• Hydrate and eat something nourishing
• Charge your phone and portable chargers
• Go to bed early

Need a wedding rehearsal timeline? WeddingWire’s Rehearsal Guide is a great resource.

Wedding Morning

• Eat a light, protein-packed breakfast
• Wear a robe or button-up shirt for hair and makeup
• Allow extra time for hair and makeup delays
• Play a calming or upbeat playlist
• Have snacks, straws, and water on hand
• Touch up your vows if needed
• Give your phone to your maid of honor or planner
• Be present and take it all in

For local hair and makeup, try Charleston favorites such as Blown Charleston or Jax Studio.

Before the Ceremony

• Take getting-ready and detail photos
• First look with your partner or parents if planned
• Wedding party and family portraits
• Bouquets and boutonnieres delivered
• Pack your emergency and touch-up kit
• Remember to breathe deeply and stay hydrated

Ceremony Time

• Cue music and wedding party procession
• Marriage license and officiant ready
• Have tissues for vows or emotional family moments
• Assign a point person for guest questions
• Walk down the aisle and enjoy the moment

Looking for ceremony inspiration? The Knot’s Ceremony Checklist helps with everything from order of events to music selections.

After the Ceremony

• Sign the marriage license
• Couple portraits during golden hour
• Cocktail hour photos if desired
• Confirm reception décor setup
• Touch up hair and makeup if needed
• Change into reception shoes or outfit
• Zola’s Wedding Reception Timeline has a great downloadable template.

Reception

• Grand entrance
• First dance and toasts
• Dinner served
• Parent dances
• Cake cutting and dessert
• Open the dance floor
• Optional bouquet and garter toss
• Grand exit with sparklers, bubbles, or other fun send-off

Want a downloadable version of your reception plan? Zola’s Wedding Reception Timeline has a great template.

End of the Night

• Assign someone to gather gifts, cards, and personal items
• Collect décor or confirm rentals pickup
• Change into travel outfit
• Take a to-go plate of food and dessert if desired
• Take a quiet moment with your new spouse
• Head off to your hotel, honeymoon, or afterparty

Charleston, S.C. Wedding Tips

Add some local flair with these ideas:

• Add local flair to your wedding day with these ideas:
• Hire a jazz or mariachi band for cocktail hour
• Serve Lowcountry cuisine like shrimp and grits or a gourmet oyster bar
• Get florals from local favorites such as Blush Charleston or Studio Bloom
• Plan luxury picnic setups for a bridal brunch with Charleston Picnics
• Schedule portraits at iconic Charleston locations like Waterfront Park, The Battery, Boone Hall Plantation, or Middleton Place

Final Thoughts

Planning a Charleston wedding should be as joyful as the day itself. Using this checklist will help you stay organized, grounded, and ready to soak in every unforgettable moment.

As a Charleston wedding photographer, I specialize in capturing your day exactly as it unfolds. I preserve the laughter, happy tears, and all the little moments you will want to remember forever. Working together, we can make your wedding day feel effortless, joyful, and unforgettable.

Reach out today to secure your date and start planning your Charleston wedding photography. Your love story deserves to be captured with care and creativity.

Lindsey Murphy | U.S. Air Force Veteran | Storyteller
Charleston Family + Wedding Photographer
www.lindseymurphyphotography.com

Ready to Tell Your Story?

Let’s create something unforgettable together.
👉 View my portfolio and book your session here.