Wedding Dress Show Checklist
A wedding dress show needs more than dresses and models. You’ll need a firm schedule for venue booking, fittings, alterations, invitations, guest registration, catering and deliveries. Work backwards from the show date so the bridal wear, running order, music, stylist and makeup artist are confirmed before invitations go out. This checklist also covers details people often leave too late, such as dietary requirements, name badges, mirrors, changing areas and a printed run sheet.
The plan, step by step
Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.
Preparations
Confirm date and time
2 people
Reserve venue
Book models
2 people
Select bridal wear
2 people
Reserve photographer
Book catering
Design invitations
2 people
Send invitations
2 people
Open the registration form
Put together show program
2 people
Choose music for the show
2 people
Book host
Book stylist
Book a makeup artist
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Confirm guest details
Schedule deliveries
Try on dresses
4 people
Alter dresses
3 people
Set the running order
3 people
Print the run sheet
Prepare name badges
2 people
Check route to venue
Inventory dresses
2 people
Sort accessories
2 people
Finalize presentation texts
2 people
Test music files
2 people
Send confirmation to guests
Do the shopping
2 people
Prepare dresses for transport
3 people
Prepare decorations for transport
2 people
Event
Open venue
2 people
Receive deliveries
2 people
Check rooms
2 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Mark off the walking route
2 people
Place the backdrop
2 people
Hang decorations
3 people
Set up lighting
2 people
Connect sound equipment
2 people
Test the music
2 people
Set up catering
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up the reception desk
2 people
Hang out dresses
4 people
Lay out accessories
2 people
Have the models change outfits
4 people
Hair and makeup styling
3 people
Walkthrough with models
6 people
Welcome guests
3 people
Check registration
2 people
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
Open show
Guide the first show block
5 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Announce break
Guide fitting room
3 people
Assist the Second Show Block
5 people
Answer guest questions
2 people
Guide the photo moment
3 people
Serve light meals
4 people
Support the third show segment
5 people
Present accessories
3 people
Collect audience questions
2 people
Run a giveaway
2 people
Wrap up show
See off guests
3 people
Aftercare
Pack dresses safely
4 people
Clean up catering
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Take down the decorations
3 people
Switch off equipment
2 people
Collect waste
2 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Sort borrowed items
2 people
Return materials
2 people
Return dresses
2 people
Secure photo materials
Send thank-you message
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Reception desk
- Tall cocktail tablesqty 6
- Round guest tablesqty 10
- Standard chairsqty 80
- Cocktail table coversqty 6
- Table linenqty 10
- Clothes racksqty 8
- Changing room screensqty 4
- Mirrorsqty 6
- Try-on mirrorsqty 2
- Coat racksqty 4
- Shoe benchesqty 4
- Storage tablesqty 4
- Waste binsqty 8
Tableware
- Wine glassesqty 100
- Water glassesqty 100
- Coffee cupsqty 80
- Dessert platesqty 100
- Dinner platesqty 90
- Pastry forksqty 100
- Dinner cutlery setsqty 90
- Serving spoonsqty 20
- Carafesqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 20
Decorations
- Flower arrangementsqty 12
- Flower vasesqty 12
- Welcome sign
- Program boardsqty 4
- Backdrop cloth
- Balloon archesqty 2
- Ribbonsqty 12
- Table decorationsqty 10
- Name card holdersqty 80
- Photo wall accessoriesqty 20
- Changing room signsqty 4
- Tapeqty 8
- Double-sided tapeqty 6
- Cable tiesqty 100
- Scissorsqty 6
- Ropeqty 2
Equipment
- Laptopsqty 2
- Tabletsqty 2
- Wireless microphonesqty 2
- Speakersqty 2
- Mixer
- Microphone standsqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 8
- Power stripsqty 8
- Clothes steamersqty 3
- Camera
- Tripodqty 2
- AA batteriesqty 24
- AAA batteriesqty 24
- USB sticksqty 3
- Charging cablesqty 6
- Power banksqty 4
Lighting
- LED spotlightsqty 8
- String lightsqty 10
- Ring lightsqty 2
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Coolersqty 4
- Serving traysqty 12
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Kitchen knivesqty 4
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Thermos flasksqty 6
- Ice cube traysqty 4
- Aluminum foilqty 4
- Food storage containersqty 12
Catering
- Groceries
Cleaning
- All-purpose cleanerqty 4
- Glass cleanerqty 2
- Microfiber clothsqty 20
- Mopsqty 4
- Bucketsqty 4
- Broom setsqty 2
- Floor squeegeesqty 2
- Vacuum cleaner
- Toilet brushesqty 4
Clothing
- Wedding dressesqty 12
- Petticoatsqty 8
- Hoop skirtsqty 6
- Veil collectionqty 12
- Bridal beltsqty 8
- Bridal coatsqty 6
- Bridal hairstylesqty 10
- Bridal bouquetsqty 6
- Bridal shoesqty 12
- Glovesqty 8
- Clothing coversqty 20
- Clothes hangersqty 30
- Pin cushionsqty 4
- Sewing kitsqty 4
- Fashion clipsqty 40
- Clothes brushesqty 4
- Lint rollersqty 8
- Garment bag labelsqty 30
Tips
- Book the venue and confirm the date before contacting models, the host or suppliers. Allow at least 8–12 weeks for invitations, fittings, alterations and delivery planning.
- Schedule the first dress fitting no later than 4 weeks before the show. Keep a written inventory of every dress and confirm which model is wearing each one.
- Close guest registration 5–7 days before the event, then collect dietary requirements and confirm guest details. Print name badges and an updated attendee list after registrations are processed.
- Create the running order at least 1 week before the show and print the final run sheet on the day before. Share the order with the host, stylist, makeup artist, photographer and music operator.
- Set up a dedicated changing area with screens, mirrors, clothes racks and shoe benches. Check that storage tables, coat racks and waste bins are in place before the first model arrives.
Frequently asked questions
- How far in advance should I plan a wedding dress show?
- Start planning 8–12 weeks before the event. That gives you time to reserve the venue, book models and suppliers, send invitations, complete fittings and handle alterations.
- When should wedding dress show invitations be sent?
- Send invitations 4–6 weeks before the show and keep registration open for around 2–3 weeks. Close registration 5–7 days before the event so you can confirm guest details and dietary requirements.
- How many dresses should each model try on?
- Plan around 2–4 dresses per model, depending on the show length and changing time. Schedule fittings at least 4 weeks beforehand and allow 10–15 minutes between quick changes in the running order.
- What should be ready on the day of a wedding dress show?
- Have the dresses inventoried, altered and arranged by running order before models arrive. Set up the reception desk, changing screens, mirrors, racks, seating, program boards, welcome sign and catering area at least 2 hours before guests enter.
Start this plan in Lizzt
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