Things couples forget

Things Couples Forget

None of this is glamorous. Every one of them has saved someone a frantic drive or a ruined photo.

42 products, each chosen by I Do with a note on why.

Prices marked ~ are estimates. Check the retailer for current prices and availability.

Order these early20

  • Cake Knife and Server (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Cake Knife and Server Set

    For the cake cutting photo, and plenty of couples use it every anniversary after.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Cake Knife and Server (opens in a new tab)
  • Card Box with Lock (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Wood Card Box with Lock

    Cards often hold cash.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Card Box with Lock (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Glass Card Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Okllen Glass Card Box with Lock

    A glass box with a lock, for a more modern table.

    ~$35 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Glass Card Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Guest Book and Pen (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Gold Foil Guest Book with Pen and Sign

    Put it somewhere guests pass on the way in, not tucked in a corner.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Guest Book and Pen (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Personalized Guest Book (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Linen Photo Guest Book with Names and Year

    The guest book is the thing you keep forever, so this is the one to personalize: linen.

    With your names and date

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Personalized Guest Book (opens in a new tab)
  • Vow Books (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Leather Vow Books, Set of 2

    Reading from a small book looks better than reading from a phone, and you keep it after.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Vow Books (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Personalized Vow Books (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Linen Vow Books with Names and Year, Pair

    The vow books, with your names and the year on the covers, kept together afterwards.

    With your names and date

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Personalized Vow Books (opens in a new tab)
  • Clear Bubble Umbrellas (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: totes Clear Bubble Umbrella

    See-through dome umbrellas keep you dry without hiding you from the camera.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Clear Bubble Umbrellas (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Scalloped Clear Umbrella (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: ShedRain Scalloped Clear Dome

    The same see-through dome with a scalloped edge.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Scalloped Clear Umbrella (opens in a new tab)
  • Foldable Ballet Flats (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Foldable Ballet Flats with Carry Pouch

    You will want out of your heels by the first dance.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Foldable Ballet Flats (opens in a new tab)
  • Comfort Insoles (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Dr. Scholl's Ball of Foot Cushions for High Heels

    Gel inserts make heels and new dress shoes bearable for a very long day.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Comfort Insoles (opens in a new tab)
  • Ring Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Jomelly Wooden Double Ring Box

    A two-slot box for the ceremony and for the ring shots your photographer will want.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Ring Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Another option

    Engraved Ring Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Engraved Flip-Top Wooden Double Ring Box

    A wooden ring box engraved with your names or initials and the date, for the ceremony and the ring shots.

    With your names and date

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Engraved Ring Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Personalized Bride Hanger (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Personalized Wooden Bride Hanger

    For the dress photos in the morning.

    With her surname and date

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Personalized Bride Hanger (opens in a new tab)
  • Wide Suit Hangers (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: HOUSE DAY Wooden Suit Hangers, 2 Pack

    A wide wooden hanger keeps the jacket shoulders in shape between the tailor and the ceremony.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Wide Suit Hangers (opens in a new tab)
  • Flower Girl Basket (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Ivory Flower Girl Baskets, Set of 2

    Check whether your venue allows real petals before you fill it.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Flower Girl Basket (opens in a new tab)
  • Ring Bearer Pillow (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: HONEYGIFTS Lace Ring Pillow

    Tie on decoy rings and give the real ones to the best man.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Ring Bearer Pillow (opens in a new tab)
  • Boutonniere Magnets (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: BoutStix Floral Magnets

    Pinning a boutonniere through a lapel takes five fumbling minutes and leaves holes.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Boutonniere Magnets (opens in a new tab)
  • Crystal Toasting Flutes (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Parihy Crystal Champagne Flutes, Set of 2

    Toasting glasses and the cake knife are the two things couples most often say they almost forgot.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Crystal Toasting Flutes (opens in a new tab)
  • Amazon Prime (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Amazon

    So much of a wedding arrives in boxes: favors, signs, the emergency kit, the thing you remember on Thursday.

    Paid plan, trial if eligible

    View on Amazon: Amazon Prime (opens in a new tab)

Some product links may earn I Do a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Don't forget, nothing to buy

  • A details box for the photographer: an extra invitation suite, the rings in a box, heirlooms and the perfume, handed over at 9 a.m.
  • If you want to keep the bouquet, drying has to start within two days; decide before the wedding, not after.
  • Vendor meals, counted and told to the caterer, for the photographer, DJ and planner.
  • Ask the photographer to shoot the signage and centerpieces so resale listings have real photos.

Your day-of bag13

  • Stain Remover Pen (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Tide To Go Pen

    Red wine, makeup, lipstick on a collar.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Stain Remover Pen (opens in a new tab)
  • Travel Sewing Kit (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Fiskars 27-Piece Travel Sewing Kit

    A popped button or a dropped hem, fixed in five minutes.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Travel Sewing Kit (opens in a new tab)
  • Small Scissors (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Fiskars Travel Folding Scissors

    Tags, threads, ribbon and zip ties.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Small Scissors (opens in a new tab)
  • Dual-Voltage Travel Steamer (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Conair Travel Smart Mini Steamer

    Abroad, a single-voltage steamer either does nothing or trips the villa's power.

    ~$35 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Dual-Voltage Travel Steamer (opens in a new tab)
  • Fashion Tape (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Fashion Tape, 108 Strips

    Double-sided tape for necklines, straps and hems that will not stay where they should.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Fashion Tape (opens in a new tab)
  • Assorted Safety Pins (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Huhuhero Gold Safety Pins, 5 Sizes, 160 Pack

    A bustle, a boutonniere and a slipping strap each want a different size pin.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Assorted Safety Pins (opens in a new tab)
  • Blister Bandages (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Band-Aid Hydrocolloid Blister Bandages

    Hours in new shoes.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Blister Bandages (opens in a new tab)
  • Pain Reliever (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Advil Tablet Packets, 100 Count

    Two-tablet packets for headaches, tight shoes and long days.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Pain Reliever (opens in a new tab)
  • Antacids (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: TUMS Extra Strength, 3 Rolls

    Nerves, a rich dinner, or both.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Antacids (opens in a new tab)
  • Portable Phone Charger (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Anker 10,000mAh Power Bank

    Phones work all day as cameras, maps and timelines.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Portable Phone Charger (opens in a new tab)
  • Protein Bar Variety Box (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: RXBAR Protein Bars, 3-Flavor Variety, 10 Count

    Chips and cookies leave crumbs and grease on white satin, and a bride who ate nothing faints at the toast.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Protein Bar Variety Box (opens in a new tab)
  • Bridal Button Hook (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Nakpunar Bridal Button Hook

    Thirty satin buttons up the back take twenty nervous minutes by hand and three with a hook.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Bridal Button Hook (opens in a new tab)
  • Ready-Made Emergency Kit (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Bridal Emergency Kit, 30+ Essentials

    A pre-packed kit if you would rather not assemble one.

    ~$25 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Ready-Made Emergency Kit (opens in a new tab)

For the venue9

  • Vendor Tip Envelopes (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Tip Slips Gratuity Envelopes, 20 Pack

    Tips only get handed out if they are counted, labelled by vendor and given to one person before the ceremony.

    ~$20 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Vendor Tip Envelopes (opens in a new tab)
  • Clear Document Pouch (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: JAM Paper Clear Zip Envelopes, Letter, 12 Pack

    One clear zip pouch holds the license, vendor contracts, the timeline and the tip envelopes.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Clear Document Pouch (opens in a new tab)
  • License Signing Pen (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: uniball 207 Black Gel Pens, 4 Count

    Many counties reject a marriage license signed in gold, blue or erasable ink.

    ~$5 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: License Signing Pen (opens in a new tab)
  • Rechargeable Candle Lighters (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Flame bird Rechargeable Arc Candle Lighters, 2 Pack

    Someone has to light 80 votives in ten minutes before guests walk in.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Rechargeable Candle Lighters (opens in a new tab)
  • Gold Sign Easel (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Gold Adjustable Sign Easel

    Holds the welcome sign or the seating chart.

    ~$30 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Gold Sign Easel (opens in a new tab)
  • Weight Bags (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: ABCCANOPY Canopy Weight Bags, 4 Pack

    The welcome sign face-down in the grass is the first thing guests see at half of all outdoor weddings.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Weight Bags (opens in a new tab)
  • Command Hooks and Strips (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Command Clear Variety Pack

    Hang the seating chart, a garland or a sign anywhere without losing the venue deposit.

    ~$15 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Command Hooks and Strips (opens in a new tab)
  • Zip Ties (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: Cable Matters Zip Ties, 200 Pack

    Greenery to an arch, drapes to a tent pole, a wobbly sign to its easel.

    ~$10 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Zip Ties (opens in a new tab)
  • Cordless Glue Gun (opens Amazon in a new tab)

    Our pick: WorkPro Cordless Hot Glue Gun with 20 Sticks

    A cracked centerpiece, a hairpiece that will not sit, a sign letter that fell off.

    ~$35 (approximate)

    View on Amazon: Cordless Glue Gun (opens in a new tab)

Missing something?

Know a product that would help other couples? Let us know and we'll take a look.

Plan the rest in I Do

A checklist that tells you when you need each of these, plus your guest list, RSVPs, website and registry. Free to start.

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