Planning your wedding means juggling countless details, such as florals, timelines, menus, outfits, and more. But there’s one surprisingly simple (yet critical) detail that many couples overlook on their wedding day: the marriage license.

I recently had the honor of contributing to Boho Weddings’ expert round-up, “The Sneaky Details That Can Derail Your Wedding Day – And How to Prevent Them”. In this feature, I shared my insight as a seasoned wedding planner on how to avoid one of the most heartbreaking (and avoidable) wedding day mistakes.

So, here’s the expert tip I shared:

On a day full of flowers, outfits, and emotions, it’s surprisingly common for the legal part of your wedding to slip through the cracks.

“Forgetting the marriage license,” says Kawania Wooten, Principal Consultant at Howerton+Wooten Events. “Most officiants won’t officiate a wedding ceremony (specifically the vows) if the marriage license isn’t present. So, we encourage couples to send a photo or a scanned copy of the marriage license to the officiant in advance.”

To prevent a last-minute scramble, here are my two simple, but powerful recommendations:

✅ Pack it early. Place the marriage license in your overnight bag or a folder with your wedding day essentials at least a week before the big day.

✅ Assign a point person. Make a copy and give it to your wedding planner or a trusted member of your wedding party who will be with you on the morning of your wedding. That way, it’s one less thing on your mind as you focus on the joy ahead.

It may not be the most glamorous item on your checklist, but let’s be honest—it’s kind of the whole point, right? You can read the full feature on Boho Weddings here.

Why This Matters for Your Wedding Day
As a wedding planner, I’ve seen how small details, like a missing marriage license, can cause big stress on a day that’s meant to be all about love and celebration. My job (and my passion) is to help couples stay ahead of these challenges so they can be fully present and enjoy every single moment.

If you’re in the midst of wedding planning and want expert guidance to create a seamless, stress-free wedding day, I’d love to help. Together, we’ll make sure no detail (big or small) slips through the cracks.

Are you ready to plan your worry-free wedding? Contact me today.

Love and Soul Always, Kawania

Photography: Shutterstock