Ten Minute Planner

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The Wedding Essentials Shopping List

Every pick from the Wedding Essentials Shopping Guide, in one live, up-to-date place.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you buy through them, TenMinuteWedding may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change often and are shown on the product page when you visit. We only list items we would genuinely suggest to a friend planning a wedding.

Getting-Ready Essentials

The morning sets the tone for the whole day - small things that keep everyone photo-ready.

Matching robes or button-down shirts

Front-opening styles that protect finished hair and makeup - and look lovely in the morning photos.

Handheld garment steamer

Fast heat-up and a decent tank will carry you through every dress, veil and suit.

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Matching slim hangers

Non-slip velvet for dresses, sturdy wood for suits - one consistent style tidies every photo.

Portable speaker for the playlist

Battery for a full morning and enough volume for a bridal suite. Download the playlist in advance.

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Breakfast and hydration supplies

Non-messy food, bottled water and straws (straws protect lipstick) for the getting-ready room.

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Ceremony Essentials

Small, close-up details that the camera loves.

Ring box (double-slot velvet box)

Slim, secure and made for the close-up ring-exchange photo.

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Vow books (a pair)

Lay-flat, thick pages - one each, so nobody reads from a folded sheet of paper.

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Unity ceremony set

A complete candle or sand kit with holders; choose wind protection for outdoor ceremonies.

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Reserved seating signs and aisle markers

Front-row reserved signs plus ribbon, posies or lanterns to dress the aisle.

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Flower girl basket and ring bearer cushion

Light enough for small hands, with the real rings kept by an adult until the last moment.

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Reception and Decor

Versatile basics bought in sets, with a few statement pieces doing the heavy lifting.

Table numbers and holders

Large, high-contrast numbers on stands that will not topple. Buy a spare or two.

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Centrepiece vessels (vases, bud vases, lanterns)

Buy in sets, mix two or three heights, and check every vessel is watertight.

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Table linens and napkins

Order around ten percent more napkins than your guest count for drops and spares.

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Cake stand and serving set

At least as wide as the bottom tier, and sturdy enough not to wobble at the first cut.

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Card box for gifts and cards

A slotted, ideally lockable box that sits naturally with your decor.

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Guest book alternative

An instant camera with plenty of film, or an audio guest book - plus a sign explaining it.

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Signage and Paper Goods

Good signage quietly runs the day. Keep one style across every piece.

Welcome sign

Big readable type on foam board, acrylic or wood - check your easel can hold its size.

Easels (floor and tabletop)

At least two: one for the welcome sign, one for the seating chart. Ask the venue what is included first.

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Seating chart or escort cards

Alphabetical escort cards are fastest for guests to scan. Finalise after RSVPs close.

Place cards and menu cards

Mark the cards of guests with allergies or special meals - it saves awkward moments at the table.

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Ceremony programmes (or programme fans)

The order of service and who is who; as a fan, it doubles as a cooler for summer ceremonies.

Thank-you cards and stamps

Buy before the wedding so the post-wedding thank-yous are painless.

Lighting and Ambience

The biggest atmosphere upgrade you can make - planned around warm LEDs.

String and festoon lights

Shatterproof warm-white LED bulbs on connectable, outdoor-rated strands.

LED pillar candles and tealights

A timer and remote save lighting a hundred candles; most venues ban naked flames anyway.

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Uplighting units

Battery units go anywhere without cables - match them to your palette.

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Fairy-light curtain or backdrop lights

A twinkle backdrop behind the head table is a photo magnet all night.

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Lanterns for pathways and outdoor areas

Guide guests safely between spaces after dark; battery LED beats solar for reliability.

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The Day-Of Emergency Kit

Pack it a week ahead, give it to one named person, and forget about it.

Mini sewing kit, safety pins and fashion tape

Pre-threaded needles, spare buttons and pins, plus tape for necklines and hems.

Stain remover pen and wipes

One pen in the kit and one in a pocket; white chalk hides scuffs on a white dress.

Comfort supplies

Blister pads, plasters, pain relief, tissues, breath mints and deodorant wipes.

Fix-it extras: clear nail polish, super glue, white chalk

Stops runs in tights, rescues buttons and covers marks. Tiny, cheap, legendary.

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Power bank, cables and snacks

A charged power bank with both cable types, plus water and wrapped snacks for the couple.

Send-Off and Farewell

Your last photo of the night. Check venue rules first, then pick your effect.

Long-burn wedding sparklers

The longest wedding length burns slowly enough for a full tunnel of light and great photos.

Sparkler station: bucket, sand or water, and long lighters

Safe disposal is non-negotiable - a metal bucket of sand or water, plus long lighters and a sign.

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Bubble wands

No flame, no mess, no permit - the venue-friendly classic send-off.

Ribbon wands and LED alternatives

Ribbon wands for daytime, LED wands for evening exits and the dance floor.

Getaway car finishing touches

A 'just married' sign and glass-safe window markers - check hire-car rules first.

Biodegradable confetti

Tissue or dried-petal confetti in cones, where the venue allows it.