Take Home the Invitation binder to shop for your wedding stationary needs in the convenience and
comfort of your living room.
Call 242-4440 for more info.
Congratulations on getting married! Here is a list to help you along in planning:
THE CEREMONY
Find an officiate:
Do you need a justice of the peace? They are 50.00 for the ceremony, plus you do need to pay them for traveling to your location
Discuss with the officiate what you would like your ceremony to be like
Are you writing your own vows?
Marriage License
Can be purchased at A La Mode, as well at many wedding/jewelry stores, visit the saskjustice website for a list.
Expire 90 days after purchase so do not get to ahead of the game
Both of you must be present at purchase
Valid driver’s license or birth certificate necessary
Location... Location!
Ceremony Location- _____________________________________
Ask questions!!!
Rehearsal provided? Schedule it.
Restrictions for photographer and videographer?
Decoration rules? No candles? Are flower petals, etc. allowed? Must you clean everything up yourself?
Is a sound system provided? A pianist?
What is the max. seating capacity? ______ Minimum guests? ______
Can you dress there or must you arrive ready to go? Where do the bride and bridesmaids, flower girls, etc. typically go prior to the ceremony?
Think temperature of the location… A summer wedding in an non air-conditioned building is no fun; similarily, think about how late in the year it’s going to be for an outdoor ceremony.
Do you need an aisle runner? Decorations forthepews/chairs? Items for the ceremony such as candles? A table to sign the license at? Decorations for the table?
Is the location accessible to guests who may have troubles getting around? IE, ramps or elevators versus just stairs.
Choose participants
Attendants
Who will do readings? Solos?
Ushers
Are guests being given something to throw as the couple leave such as bubbles, flower petals, bird seed, etc. ( Rice is a bad idea as bird eat it and it expands in their stomachs)
THE RECEPTION
How many people can your venue hold?
Will you be charged if you invite more people the dance? Many places charge a fee of a dollar or two for each extra guest
Are linens supplied?
Are candles allowed? If not but you really had your heart set on them, we rent battery powered “candles” that look similar but are allowed. If you can have real candles, what will be used to light them that evening? Who will do it?
Discuss floor plans
Does your venue do catering or must you find your own? Discuss menu options plus any special requests you have
What type of favors do you want to give out?
If you are outdoors, do you have an alternative to your location should the weather not be cooperative?
Will you have reserved seating? A seating plan?
Are you having chair covers? Do you need to supply special colored napkin? We carry white 4 way stretch chair covers with a tie back. If your plans include colored sashes, these as well as napkins take 8 weeks to do up. Book well in advance.
Decide on special people in the reception
MC
Make sure to provide your mc with an agenda of when you want certain events to take place, such as speeches, cake cutting, certain dances
Who is doing toasts?
Is someone doing grace?
Do you need to purchase a liquor license? Bar tickets? Do certain people get complimentary tickets?
Are you planning any games? IE, newlywed game or are there rules about what must occur if your guests want the couple to kiss?
Will the venue supply you with a table for guest book and gifts? Make sure there are several pens at the table! Do you need a mailbox/basket to keep any cards received organized?
Will you be provided with a cake table? Do you need a cake topper? Cake knife? Decorations for the table? Do you need a cake stand? Decide when the cake is to be served during the reception
Have you decided on whether you’re having a traditional wedding cake? You’ll need to find a bakery, go for a tasting, discuss how the cake is to look.
Who will be in charge of decorating the venue? Who will be cleaning up after the party?
RENTALS
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER
Book early, these guys book up fast
Make sure you leave enough time between the ceremony and the reception for your photos
Will your photographer be around for the whole day (From getting dressed until the couple leaves) or are you simply having a formal photo shoot with your attendants and family?
If you’re doing the photos outside, do you have an alternative if it’s raining?
Do your photographer or videographer have any rules about guests taking photos or video as well? Most prefer that no one takes shots while the formal photos are being taken, make sure your guests know this
Prepare a list of pictures you want the photographer to take, a list of events you especially want the videographer to capture
THE MUSIC
Is someone performing at the ceremony? Who will be providing music at the reception?
If you’re having a do, supply him/her with the music you would like played and music you absolutely do not want to hear
Decide which songs will be played for important dances such as the first dance, bride and father, groom and mother dance, etc.
Shop for
Your dress, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, mother of the bride (and groom) dresses/outfits WELL in advance. It can take up to 12 weeks for some things to be ordered in and then they still may need altering which can take several weeks as well
When you go for fittings, make sure you take the shoes you will be wearing during the big day as well as any special undergarments you need. Same goes for your bridesmaids so make sure they know!
Do break in your shoes well in advance, nothing is worse than spending the day with sore feet
You also (may) need: A veil, a garter (Or possibly two if you’re planning to throw away one), jewelry, shoes, undergarments, a handbag, crinoline, a cape/jacket, an umbrella
Rent the tuxedos/suits. Do the men a favor and consider the temperature before forcing them to wear heavy suits in the middle of summer!
Do you have your wedding rings yet? Are they sized? Are you engraving them?
INVITATIONS
Determine the times of the wedding events quite early, you need to print them on the invitations
Invitations should be ordered atleast three months in advance, possibly more if you’re getting married at peak wedding times
Invitations should go out six weeks in advance although early isn’t always a bad idea, especially if you know your invitations are going out at a peak mail time such as December, February, May, or around many holidays.
Do you need to enclose maps? Suggestions for hotels? Did you know Costco sells rolls of 100 stamps for a better price than Canada Post?
Are you having programs done? Menu cards? Do you need place cards printed? Numbered table signs?
ACCOMODATIONS
Do you need to reserve a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests?
Will you be creating welcome baskets for out of town guests?
Where is the bridal party staying for the weekend?
Do you need to book a room for the wedding night?
Is your honeymoon booked yet? Make sure you’ve got passports!
FLOWERS
Book a florist
What type of flowers do you want?
How many bouquets do you need? Are you having a toss bouquet? How many boutonnieres and corsages? If you’re having flower girls, what are they throwing? Do you need arrangements for the ceremony or the reception? Are you picking the flowers up or will they be delivered? For double duty arrangements, who will be moving them from the ceremony location to the reception location?
Who is responsible for handing out flowers to those who need them?
TRANSPORTATION
How is everyone getting around during the day?
What will you be leaving in at the end of the night?
MISCELLANOUS
Have you booked hair appointments? A trial? Massage? Manicures/pedicures? Are you the nly one getting your hair/makeup done or is the whole bridal party? Mothers? Flower girls?
Have you purchased gifts for your bridal party?
Make an emergency kit: tissue, band aids, pantyhose, lipstick, Tylenol, safety pins, hair spray, brush, mouthwash, mints, needle, white thread, thread to match bridesmaids dresses, stomach aids (Tums, etc), chalk to cover smudges/stains on brides gown. Don't forget FootGlide for blister free feet and to help make those shoes as comfy as slippers or the BodyGlue for all sorts of wardrobe malfunctions.
Who is hosting the rehearsal dinner? Will there be a gift opening? A post-wedding brunch for bridal party and out of town guests and anyone else you want there?
Do you need dance lessons?
Where are you registering?
Do you have thank you cards?
