WEDDING CHECKLIST
As part of the Something Blue™ Bridal Helper we’ve prepared a helpful Wedding Planning Checklist to help you prepare for your big day!
Wedding Planning Checklist
Checklist Items |
Considerations |
Groom |
|
| Find out what he values in the wedding. Make him as involved as he wants to be but don’t pressure him to be more involved than he’s comfortable with. | What are his priorities? |
| Appreciate your fiancee every day. Don’t let the craziness of wedding planning get in the way of what’s most important! | What would make the wedding most enjoyable for him? |
Wedding Planner |
|
| Research – Get Quotes | How hands on will the planner be? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | What do you need or not need? |
| Preliminary Meeting | How much planning would you realistically like to do yourself? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Get them working for you on the rest of this list! | |
| Check in with the wedding planner regularly, according to your contract with them. | |
Reception Venue |
|
| Research- Get Quotes | What’s included? Furniture, décor, linen, AV, etc. |
| Preliminary Site Visits | What are the setup and take down times? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Anything you can exclude to save money? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | Ceremony options onsite? |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Ceremony Venue |
|
| Research – Get Quotes (if different from the Reception venue) | What’s included? Chairs, PA, etc. |
| Preliminary Site Visits | What are the setup and take down times? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Anything you can exclude to save money? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | Ceremony options onsite? |
| Confirm details of their package | Wet weather alternative onsite? |
| Sign contract | Guest transport to and from ceremony? |
| Pay deposit | |
Stationery |
|
| Research styles & suppliers | What’s included? Save the Dates, wedding invitations? What about place cards, menus, table numbers, thank you cards, ceremony programs, seating plan? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Will there be additional postage costs based on the envelope size? |
| Check that the supplier is available to meet your timeframe | How much lead time do they need? |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Include all benchmark dates in your calendar and follow up to make sure everything goes out on schedule | |
Save the Date |
|
| Send out a Save the Date as soon as you have your venue(s) secured. | You might need to adjust your date according to the availability of the venue, so lock in to the venue first. |
Bridal Gown |
|
| Research options | What are the extra costs, such as alterations and dry cleaning? |
| Book appointments so that you’ll be well attended for your shopping experience | What lead time will be required for alterations and/or ordering? Note: no ordering required when you shop at Second Dance. |
| Decide who will accompany you | Do they carry accessories like veils, jewellery, etc.? Note: Second Dance carries accessories and is a one-stop bridal shop with a personal touch. |
| Bring pictures of what you like, but keep an open mind | Do they also carry bridesmaid dresses? Note: Second Dance offers the sensational, reasonably priced, and ehtical dresses from Mimetik Barcelona. |
| Find the dress of your dreams! | Don’t forget to check our Wedding Dress Calculator! |
| Arrange for alterations, as necessary | |
| Decide where you’ll store the gown | |
| Acquire all lingerie, shapewear, and hosiery that you’ll need to go with the dress | |
| Set dates for fittings | |
| Pay the deposit | |
| Confirm when the dresses will all be ready | |
| Pay the balance when you pick up the dress/on the required date | |
Bridesmaids |
|
| Decide your Maid of Honour and bridesmaids | Ask their input (within reason) about the bridesmaid dresses |
| Invite them to be part of your wedding party | |
| Create a shared calendar with the party to help facilitate bridesmaid shopping | |
| Research bridesmaid dress options | What lead time is required? |
| Book appointments so that you’ll be well attended for your shopping experience | Note: Second Dance carries Mimetik Barcelona dresses that are reasonably priced ($145-$195), ethical, and can be worn again. They’re a huge hit with bridesmaids! |
| Bring pictures of what you like, but keep an open mind | |
| Arrange for alterations, as necessary | |
| Set a date for your fitting | |
| Pay the deposit | |
| Pay the balance when you pick up the dresses/on the required date | |
| Bridesmaid Gifts | |
Groom, Groomsmen’s Suits, Accessories |
|
| Have the groom decide his Best Man and groomsmen | What’s included? Alterations, dry cleaning, pressing? |
| Invite them to be part of your wedding party | How much lead time is required for ordering? |
| Create a shared calendar with the party to help facilitate suit fittings | Do they carry accessories like ties, etc? |
| Research suit suppliers (hire/buy) – Get Quotes | |
| Decide the supplier | |
| Arrange for your party to be fitted | |
| Arrange for alterations, as necessary | |
| Pay the deposit | |
| Book the final fitting and the pickup date | |
| Groomsmen Gifts | |
Wedding Stylist |
|
| Research – Get Quotes | What’s included? Lighting, stationary, table settings, etc. |
| Shortlist your favourites (1-2) | Who performs the work on the day of the wedding? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | What time do they setup? Pack up? |
| Confirm details of their package | Share a Pinterest board with them? |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Arrange another meeting to finalize details | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Gift Registry |
|
| Research options | Do they provide a personalised service? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Do guests choose items online or in store? |
| Arrange a meeting for details | Gift wrapping? |
| Confirm details of their package | Returns? Exchanges? |
| Sign contract | Are items picked up or delivered? |
| Pay deposit | |
| Include information on your invitation | |
Invitations |
|
| Send the formal Wedding Invitation once the full details have been confirmed: venue(s), times, suggested accommodation (if applicable), gift registry, etc. | |
Catering |
|
| Research – Get Quotes (if different from the venue) | |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | |
| Go in for tastings | |
| Check availability for your wedding date | |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Alcohol & Beverages |
|
| Research – Get Quotes (if different from the venue) | |
| Shortlist your favourites (1-2) | |
| Check availability for your wedding date | |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Cake |
|
| Research – Get Quotes (if different from the venue) | |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | |
| Go in for tastings | |
| Check availability for your wedding date | |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Photographer |
|
| Research – Get Quotes | What’s included? (Number of photos, engagement session, thank you cards, albums, etc.) |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | How long will they be on site, how much is it to extend the timing (if necessary)? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | Method of receiving the photos? |
| Confirm details of their package | Turn around time? |
| Sign contract | Cost of extra prints? |
| Pay deposit | Do they provide a Photobooth? If not and you would like to have one, follow the same booking process for the Photobooth vendor |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Videographers |
|
| Research – Get Quotes | What’s included? (Length of video, format, etc.) |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | How long will they be on site, how much is it to extend the timing (if necessary)? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | Method of receiving the finished product? |
| Confirm details of their package | Turn around time? |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Minister/Officiant |
|
| Research | When do they arrive? |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Is the rehearsal included or extra? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract | |
| Pay deposit | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Flowers |
|
| Research options – get a quote (if not provided by wedding stylist) | Bridal bouquet, bridesmaid flowers, buttonholes, corsages, throw bouquet, flower girls and page boys |
| Shortlist your favourites (2-3) | Delivery or pickup? |
| Check availability for your wedding date | Is special storage required? |
| Arrange a meeting for details, bring examples of what you want | Are they providing full service setup of centrepieces, etc.? |
| Confirm details of their package | |
| Sign contract (if necessary) | |
| Pay deposit (if necessary) | |
| Set a calendar date to go through the details again (4 months before the wedding) | |
| Re-confirm details (2 months before wedding) | |
Wedding Band/DJ |
|
| Research live bands and/or DJs | What’s included? AV? Effects? Lighting? |
| Short list your favourites | Setup time? Pack down? |
| Check your wedding date is available with preferred band/DJ | Check samples of their song lists and performances. |
| Arrange a meeting to get a quotation and general details – (extra tips/questions below) | Can they provide music for the ceremony? What about pre-dinner drinks? |
| Confirm details of their package | Can they provide a microphone for speeches? |
| Sign contract (if necessary) | |
| Pay deposit (if necessary) | |
| Re-confirm details (3 months before wedding) | |
Guest Favours |
|
| Make arrangements as necessary | Will you have guest favours? |
Wedding rings |
|
| Don’t forget the rings! |
Hours of Operation
Monday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
ACCOLADES:
- Winner GNCC Business Achievement award for 1-10 employees
- Niagara’s Top Forty Under 40
- Niagara Women In Business Emerging Business award 2018
