Quick Answer

What Should Be on a Family Reunion Day-Of Checklist?

Arrive 60–90 minutes early. Verify tables, power, ice, and food setup. Have a printed guest list. Confirm the activity schedule with volunteers. Designate a single point person so you can actually enjoy the reunion.

The Complete Day-Of Checklist

60–90 Minutes Before Guests Arrive

Arrive at venue and do a full walkthrough

Confirm all tables, chairs, and linens are in place

Verify power outlets, extension cords, and speakers work

Check that ice is available for drinks and food

Confirm caterer or food setup is on schedule

Set up registration/check-in table with name tags and guest list

Set up kids' activity station with supplies

Walk the parking area and confirm overflow parking is clear

Brief all volunteers on their roles for the day

Set up shade structures or canopies if needed

30 Minutes Before — Final Checks

Confirm first activity is ready to start on schedule

Check that food is at safe temperature (hot food hot, cold food cold)

Put out activity schedule and any printed programs

Set up welcome area — balloons, signs, or directional markers

Confirm photographer is in position for early arrivals

Brief the registration table host on the check-in process

Test any microphone or PA system

During the Reunion

Give the group photo announcement 45–90 minutes in

Check on food supply midway through — does anything need restocking?

Check in with kids' activity coordinator every hour

Check on elderly guests — are they comfortable, shaded, hydrated?

Keep the schedule moving — give the MC or emcee time cues

Handle any unexpected issues as the "point person"

Remind guests of shared photo album link for uploading photos

Last 30 Minutes + Departure

Give a 30-minute warning announcement so guests can say their goodbyes

Hand out keepsakes or T-shirts if not distributed earlier

Collect any unpaid fees or reunion fund contributions

Remind guests about the post-reunion photo album link

Take photos of setup/venue for future planning reference

Begin cleanup with designated cleanup crew — not last-minute volunteers

Return venue to original condition per rental agreement

Confirm nothing is left behind (equipment, personal items, decorations)

The Most Important Role: The Day-Of Point Person

The biggest mistake reunion organizers make is trying to handle every problem themselves all day. If you're chasing down ice, troubleshooting the speaker, and coordinating the group photo simultaneously, you never get to enjoy the reunion you planned for months.

Designate a day-of point person — someone other than the primary organizer — whose job is to handle logistics and issues throughout the day. They have the vendor contacts, the backup supplies list, and the authority to make decisions. The primary organizer's job on the day of the reunion is to be present for family, not logistics.

The day-of point person should have: a printed copy of the schedule, all vendor and volunteer phone numbers, the venue emergency contact, and a physical checklist they can work through.

How Reunly Helps on the Day Of

Reunly's day-of schedule view gives your point person a real-time view of the schedule on their phone — activities, meal times, and key milestones. The guest list is accessible digitally for check-in, and you can print it directly from Reunly for the registration table.

If anything changes during the day — a late speaker, a moved activity — you can update the Reunly schedule and any guest checking the app sees the current plan.

Related:Volunteer RolesRegistration Table SetupCleanup PlanTypical Schedule

🚀 With Reunly

Build your day-of schedule in Reunly

Reunly's schedule tool keeps activities, meals, and milestones organized — printable for your point person, accessible on any phone.

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