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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Send the formal Wedding Invitation once the full details have been confirmed: venue(s), times, suggested accommodation (if applicable), gift registry, etc. | |
Catering |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Make arrangements as necessary | Will you have guest favours? |
Wedding rings |
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Don’t forget the rings! |