The Most Commonly Forgotten Wedding Day Essentials—and How to Avoid Them
Don’t Forget These Wedding Day Must-Haves at your Adler Ranch Wedding, Alexandria MN
You’ve spent months planning, double-checking every detail, and now—finally—your wedding day is here! But between the excitement, last-minute jitters, and nonstop schedule, even the most organized couples can forget a few essentials. At Adler Ranch Wedding Venue near Alexandria, MN, after hosting weddings for a few years, and we’ve seen firsthand which items often slip through the cracks. From practical necessities to small details that make a big impact, we’re here to help you avoid those “oh no” moments on your big day.
One of the best ways to ensure a smooth, stress-free wedding is to plan ahead and work with a venue that has your back. Adler Ranch offers a one-of-a-kind setting for couples searching for affordable wedding locations near me, with plenty of experience to guide you through the process. If you’re still searching for the perfect Minnesota wedding venue—or just want a team that truly cares—reach out to us! We’d love to help you create an unforgettable day, minus the last-minute scrambling.
The Marriage License
It sounds like a no-brainer, but with all the moving pieces of a wedding, this critical document can slip through the cracks. Remember to sign it after, or during your ceremony, (another great photo opportunity), have your witness ready and ensure that your Officiant knows what should be completed.
Designate someone (maybe your maid of honor or best man) to be responsible for bringing it to the venue, have it in a waterproof folder of some sort and have it delivered directly back to your vehicle after it is signed.
Don’t lose the wedding license!
Have a waterproof folder to carry it in, know where it is kept, make arrangements for signing, (and the photos) and have it returned immediately to your vehicle. Here our wedding couple is signing their marriage license in the Adler Ranch Cabin after their outdoor wedding ceremony.
Madelyn B Photography
Food for Lunch
Getting ready for the ceremony can take hours, and it’s easy to forget to eat during the hustle and bustle. Skipping meals can lead to a hangry couples and wedding party! Make arrangements for lunch or snacks, especially for the wedding party, you’ll all need the energy to get through the day. One easy option is to ask your Caterer if they have an easy cold box lunch option that could be delivered to the venue at lunch time, that way no one has to leave and run the errand! At Adler Ranch we have catering vendors on our catering list that will easily add this task so you don’t have to think about it!
Champagne for Mimosas
What’s a bridal suite without some celebratory mimosas? Couples often forget to pack the champagne, so double-check that bubbly is on hand to toast while getting ready and get ready to pop those Champagne bottles OUTSIDE of the wedding party suite! At Adler Ranch we even provide antique Champagne buckets for chilling your Champagne!
Dont forget the Champagne
Open the Champagne outside and get great photos!
Kayla Hammer Photography
Heel Protectors for High Heels
Outdoor weddings can be tricky, especially if your ceremony is on grass. We’ve all done it, bought fabulous shoes for a wedding and then ruined the heels from walking on grass. Protect your heels and walk easier on the grass with these heel protectors.
Veil Weights
Sometimes an outdoor wedding can make wearing a veil a challenge and the wind can make managing the veil difficult. Veil weights help anchor it down, so you’re not fighting gusts during the ceremony or photos. They’re easy to attach, magnetic, they don’t show and a lifesaver for a windy day! We’ve found these on Amazon and they work great!
Sam & Josh say their vows at Adler Ranch. Max Craven Photography
Your Overnight Bag
If you’re heading straight to your honeymoon or staying overnight after the reception, pack an overnight bag with essentials ahead of time. Toothbrush, change of clothes, and skincare are easy to forget in the wedding chaos. Shampoo to wash out that fancy wedding hairstyle is frequently forgotten!
Vendor Tips and Final Payments
While not exactly “forgotten,” many couples realize too late that they need envelopes of cash or checks for vendors on the day of. Plan ahead to make sure all your vendors are taken care of, remember your payment arrangements or assign someone the task of handling payments. Make your arrangement early, if your venue requires wedding insurance and a damage deposit, take care of these a month or two in advance so your wedding day is less stressful and things aren’t forgotten. Check with your venue for their suggestions for companies that sell wedding day insurance. Here’s more information about cancellation insurance which is always a good idea to protect your investment.
That’s right, its a S’mores bar on the side of a vintage truck! Everybody loves S’mores at their wedding!
ONLY at Adler Ranch, MN Farm Wedding Venue!
Emergency Kit
An emergency kit with things like safety pins, band-aids, and double-sided tape, perhaps a Tide stain stick can solve a host of last-minute issues. You never know when you might need a quick fix! Here’s a link to a great emergency kit that will have everything you may need.
At Adler Ranch, while we hope to have safety-proofed almost everything at the venue, we still occasionally need a First Aid Kit for the wedding parties. Ask your venue, and pay attention to the emergency procedures to see if they provide a First Aid Kit and where it is located. (They might just give you a quick emergency training and you’ll also learn where the Fire Extinquishers are kept!)
The Adler Ranch Phone Booth
A totally fun photo opportunity!
Madelyn B Photography
With a little extra preparation and planning, you can avoid these commonly forgotten items and focus on enjoying your perfect wedding day. To learn more about Adler Ranch, reach out to us, we can’t wait to meet you!
Adler Ranch: Your Love, Our Legacy
At Adler Ranch, we take pride in being an independently owned and operated wedding venue, nestled in the picturesque lakes area of Alexandria, MN. When you celebrate your wedding with us, you’ll experience the care, dedication, and attention to detail that only a family-run venue can offer. Every detail of your day is handled with intention to make it as extraordinary as your love story. Hosting only a limited number of weddings each season allows us to provide the personalized attention and intentional moments that make your celebration unforgettable.
What truly sets Adler Ranch apart is our unparalleled collection of vintage signs—treasures we’ve lovingly gathered over 35 years. This carefully curated collection adds a unique charm, character and history to your wedding day, offering a backdrop like no other venue in the area. The signs tell their own story, creating the perfect setting for capturing memories that will last a lifetime and offering a setting for wedding photography like none other.
For more wedding inspiration, planning tips, and engagement advice, be sure to follow Adler Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Let’s make your dream day a reality! 💕Thanks for visiting! ~Marlys
Adler Ranch and it’s lighted sign collection
Adler Ranch is your dream destination for a truly unique wedding experience. As an independently owned and family-operated ranch wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Alexandria, MN lakes area; we pride ourselves on offering a limited number of weddings each season to ensure every couple receives the personalized attention they deserve. Embracing our roots, we support local businesses and create an inclusive, unconventional wedding venue that stands out from the rest. When you choose Adler Ranch, you're not just booking a venue; you're becoming part of our family and the vibrant Alexandria community. Fill out our contact form for more information about this most unconventional MN wedding venue! We believe in supporting other independently owned wedding venue businesses, we thank the following for their support and encouragement: Willow Sky Ranch Celebrations Event Center Agua Linda Farm The Hillcrest Estate Cedar Fox Weddings Blog The Hidden Abbey Blog Ellas Garden Blog Round Barn Farm Blog The Glade Venue Blog
