Sixteen to Nine Months Before WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST Sarnia Golf & Curling Club Start your personal wedding folder Begin looking through Bridal, Lifestyle, Fashion, Design & Food Magazines for inspiration. Collect your favourite pieces or articles and make notes on what you like. Determine your budget Decide how much you have to spend by taking into account your own contributions and that of your families. Pick your wedding party As soon as you are engaged, people will start wondering who is in! Start the guest list Create a database of tentative guests to use throughout your planning process, including columns for contact information, RSVPS, gifts, and other pertinent information. The best way to keep your costs low is by limiting the guest list. Choose carefully! Reserve your date and venues for your ceremony and reception Book your of ciant Research photographers, bands, & orists Store their contact information in your wedding folder. Remember, these services will determine the look, feel, and remembrance of your special day so be sure to read reviews.
Page 2 Eight Months Before Hire the photographer and the videographer, if desired No need to talk speci cs yet, but be sure that the people you hire are willing and capable of doing the shots that you want and t within your budget. Book the entertainment, including ceremony music Attend performances and book your favourite. Purchase your wedding dress Custom gowns can take months to make and even if you are buying your dress off the rack, you still need to schedule time for at least three ttings. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests The Sarnia Golf & Curling Club is able to provide you and your guests with discounted room rates. Register for your gift registry Sign up at as many retailers as you like. It is best to register at stores that are located in several areas as your guests may be coming from different locations. Seven to Six Months Before Select and purchase invitations Addressing cards is time-consuming so you need to budget your time accordingly. Start planning your honeymoon Make sure that your passports are up-to-date and schedule doctors appointments for any shots you may need. Shop for bridesmaids dresses Allow for at least six months for the dresses to be ordered and sized. Meet with the of ciant Map out the ceremony and con rm that you have all the of cial documents for the wedding. If one of you is converting to a new religion, you may need to schedule the requisite counseling. Send save-the-date cards
Page 3 Seven to Six Months Before Reserve any outside equipment rentals if needed The SGCC will provide a cordless microphone free of charge and other audio-visual equipment for an extra fee. Book a orist Florists can serve multiple clients on one day, which is why you can wait a little longer to con rm one. By this point, you have a good idea of what your wedding theme will be so you can choose owers accordingly. Arrange transportation for the wedding party Consider limos, buses, vans, etc. Start composing a day of timeline Design a schedule of the event, such as a time for cake-cutting, the rst dance, and so on. Five to Four Months Before Book the rehearsal and rehearsal-dinner The rehearsal-dinner is just as important as the rehearsal itself. The SGCC is happy to accommodate wedding rehearsals and rehearsal- dinners for you and your party. Check on the wedding invitations Ask the stationer for samples of the nished invitations and revise them according to your preference. Select and order the cake Some bakers require a long order time. Attend several tastings before committing to any baker. Purchase wedding shoes and start your dress ttings Bring the shoes along to your rst dress tting so the tailor can properly determine the appropriate length for your gown. Schedule hair and makeup artists Make a few appointments with local professionals for a trial-run. Choose your music What should be playing when the wedding party is announced? During Dinner? To kick-off the dance party? Make a list of what you want and do not want played.
Page 4 Three Months Before Two Months Before Finalize the menu and owers Meet with Event Coordinator Patti Mathieson to nalize your menu options. Con rm your owers with your chosen orist. Order favors, if desired Make a list of the people giving toasts Finalize your list and let them know of your request. Decide on a Master of Ceremonies Determine who you would like to guide your reception. Create place cards or programs, if desired No need to go to a printer if that s not in your budget. You can easily create these on your own. Look online for some ideas. Send the invitations Sending the invitations now will give you time to con rm your nal head count. The RSVP deadline should be set at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. Finalize your ceremony and reception timelines Send your event schedule to your vendors. Providing them with a draft allows ample time for adjustments and feedback. Purchase the rings This will give you time for resizing and engraving. Meet with the photographer and touch base with the vendors Discuss shots, locations, and moments that you would like captured with the photographer. Make sure you answer any questions the vendors may have about your timeline. Meet with the DJ Though you probably won t be able to dictate every single song played, come prepared with your wish list and review the playlist the DJ will use. Enjoy a bachelorette party Have a night out with your girlfriends!
Page 5 One Month Before Enter RSVPS in your guest-list database Phone people who have not yet responded. Get your marriage license The process can take up to six days but it is always safe to think ahead. Visit your bridal shop for your last tting For peace of mind, you may want to schedule a tting the week of your wedding. If you try on the dress and it ts perfectly, you can always cancel the appointment. Con rm dates for hair, makeup and all vendors Email and print directions for drivers of transport vehicles Include a timeline for the drivers so they can schedule transportation accordingly. Assign seating for dinner guests Our Event Coordinator will work with you in customizing your oor plan. Your task is to determine where your guests will be seated in the room. Purchase bridesmaids gifts and present them at the rehearsal dinner Get your hair cut and colored, if desired Week of the Wedding Recon rm arrival times with vendors Delegate small wedding-day tasks Your bridesmaids are there to help! Choose someone to bustle your dress, someone to carry your things, someone to be in charge of gifts, someone to hand out tips, and someone to be the point person for each vendor. Send a timeline to your bridal party Include every member s contact information, along with the list of two or three point people you ve asked to deal with vendors if problems arise. Supply your photographer with a nal list of moments you want captured Set aside checks for the vendors Place tips in envelopes to be handed out at the conclusion of the event.
Page 6 Week of the Wedding Book a spa treatment for you and your bridesmaids Make appointments for manicures and pedicures a day or two before the wedding. (You might want to get a stress-relieving massage, too.) Send the nal guest count to wedding-related venues The SGCC requires the guaranteed number of guests 48 business hours before the event. Others typically hold to this standard as well so be on top of it! Break in your shoes Turn up the stereo and see how they feel! If you don t think you can wear them all night, pack some ats just in case. Pack for your honeymoon Thank You For Considering The Sarnia Golf & Curling Club