New England Weddings - Wedding services and Wedding resources:
Wedding Planning Guide

You are getting ready to plan one of the most exciting and anticipated days of your lives, your New England wedding. Our Wedding To-Do Checklist is designed to help you plan and organize everything you need in order to make your wedding day perfect. Use this checklist to help with the many time-sensitive details involved in planning a wedding. Keep in mind that is only a guide and that although these tasks and timelines apply in most cases, some weddings will require different lead times and involve different tasks.

• 12 or More Months Before
  • Determine potential dates and times for your wedding.
  • Decide on the size, formality and setting of your wedding.
  • Create a wedding and engagement budget.
  • Reserve the locations for your wedding and reception.
  • Meet with and book your wedding officiant or clergy.
  • Choose your wedding party and confirm the participants.
  • Choose your wedding rings.
  • Draw up an initial guest list.
  • Organize your engagement party.

• 9–12 Months Before
  • Order your wedding dress and attendants’ attire.
  • Book your photographer and videographer.
  • Reserve a caterer.
  • Arrange for decor, chair covers and linens.
  • Book your live entertainment or DJ.
  • Reserve your florist.
  • Order your wedding cake.
  • Reserve any rental items from the rental company.
  • Register your gift choices at your favourite stores.
  • Research accommodation for out-of-town guests.
  • Plan your honeymoon.

• 6–9 Months Before
  • Decide on your menu.
  • Reserve the musicians and soloist for your ceremony.
  • Reserve your limousine service.
  • Order your invitations and any other stationery.
  • Order bombonieres for your guests.
  • Choose outfits for mother of the bride and mother of the groom.
  • Check marriage licence requirements.

• 3–6 Months Before
  • Finalize your guest list.
  • Choose the reader for your ceremony.
  • Finalize your order with the florist.
  • Reserve the men’s wedding attire.
  • Make an appointment with your hairdresser.

• 2 Months Before
  • Mail the invitations.
  • Decide on your wedding vows or compose your own.
  • Finalize the reception menus.
  • Confirm the wedding details with the musicians and clergy or officiant.
  • Have the programs printed.
  • Purchase gifts for parents and attendants.
  • Make appointments for nails and make-up.
  • Schedule final dress fitting.

• 1 Month Before
  • Apply for a marriage licence.
  • Plan the rehearsal dinner.
  • Meet with photographer and videographer.

• 2 Weeks Before
  • Have a party for the attendants.
  • Draft the speeches.
  • Finalize reception details.
  • Call any guests who have not replied.
  • Meet with your hairdresser and make-up artist for consultation.
  • Deliver song lists to musicians or playlists to DJ.
  • Confirm honeymoon reservations.

• 1 Week Before
  • Finalize seating plan.
  • Determine the order for the procession.
  • Have your rehearsal.
  • Confirm accommodation reservations.
  • Pick up the attire for the groomsmen.
  • Confirm the final numbers with the caterer.
  • Confirm details with the limousine company.
  • Deliver your marriage licence to the officiant.
  • Draw up a seating arrangement for the reception and write out the place cards.
  • Choose someone to hand out the bombonieres.
  • Choose someone to return any rented items after the wedding.
  • Write any cheques required for the wedding day.
  • Pack for your honeymoon.

• On the Day
  • Give the wedding bands to the best man.
  • Give the best man any cheques that need to be given out that day.
  • Present the attendants and parents with their gifts.
  • Relax and enjoy your special day!

• After the Wedding
  • Make a gift list and send out your thank-you notes.
  • Send thank-you letters to suppliers and attendants.
  • Arrange for cleaning and preservation of your gown.