PRE-wedding checklist.
To make the planning process easy, we have highlighted our most preferred vendors.
We have many other options in our recommended vendors list and others we can supply, should you wish to explore further.
PREFERABLY 12 or More Months Before
▢ Book a date with your chosen Wedding Venue (hopefully Songbird Retreat!)
▢ Pay the deposit to secure your booking.
▢ Create a wedding budget.
▢ Book a meeting with our wedding coordinators to discuss their packages
Alex idoweddingsnz
Samantha: www.weddingsbysamanthanz.com
Deb: Wildly Madly Deeply
▢ Begin selection of a Caterer. *
▢ Choose your wedding party and confirm the participants.
▢ Choose your wedding rings.
▢ Draw up an initial guest list.
▢ Organise your engagement party.
9–12 Months Before
▢ Order your wedding dress and attendants’ attire.
▢ Choose Professional Photographer / Videographer / DJ *
We recommend www.katelittlephotography.com/
▢ Meet with and book your wedding celebrant
Sophie Morris www.sophie-morris-celebrant.com/
▢ Compose a guest list.
▢ Determine to use Songbird triangle or rectangle arch, plinth, chair and table hire or choose alternatives from hire companies
▢ Book your Beverages company or caravan. * www.somekindofwonderful.co.nz
▢ Discuss table linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware hire with hire
companies
▢ Book a chiller trailer if not already arranged by Songbird Retreat*
▢ Book your live entertainment or DJ. *
▢ Reserve your florist We recommend Where Rosemary Grows or Wildly Madly Deeply or Orchard Lane Florals. *
▢ Reserve your Hair and Makeup Artist. * We recommend Pure Makeup
▢ Order your wedding cake. *
▢ Organise gift registry.
▢ Research accommodation for out-of-town guests. **
▢ Plan your honeymoon destination.
6–9 Months Before
▢ Decide on your menu..
▢ Choose any musicians or soloist for your ceremony.
▢ Reserve any limousine service for the bride
▢ Reserve taxi or bus service for guests
▢ Order your invitations and any other stationery.
▢ Order any wedding favours for your guests.
▢ Choose outfits for the mother of the bride and mother of the groom.
3–6 Months Before
▢ Finalise your guest list.
▢ Choose the reader(s) for your ceremony.
▢ Finalise your order with the florist.
▢ Reserve the men’s wedding attire.
▢ Make an appointment with your hairdresser
▢ Make final payment to Songbird Retreat Wedding Venue
3 Months Before
▢ Send invitations.
▢ Decide on your wedding vows or compose your own.
▢ Finalise the reception menus.
▢ Order any additional chairs and tables, cutlery, crockery, glassware from Carlton Hire
▢ Order any additional furniture - we recommend Flock Events
▢ Purchase any gifts for parents and attendants.
▢ Make appointments for nails and make-up and hair. *
▢ Schedule final dress fitting.
1 Month Before
▢ Apply for a marriage license. **
▢ Plan the rehearsal dinner.
▢ Meet with photographer and videographer. *
2 Weeks Before
▢ Have a party for the attendants.
▢ Draft the speeches.
▢ Finalise reception details.
▢ Call any guests who have not replied.
▢ Meet with your make-up artist and hairdresser.
▢ Deliver song lists to musicians or playlists to the disc jockey.
▢ Confirm honeymoon reservations.
1 Week Before
▢ Meet with your Songbird Wedding coordinator online or in person to
discuss plans, timeline and vendor arrangements to enable her to
work with your vendors (celebrant, catering, beverage service,
photographers etc) to coordinate requirements and timings.
▢ Finalise seating plan.
▢ Determine the order for the procession.
▢ Pick up the attire for the groomsmen.
▢ Deliver your marriage license to the officiant.
▢ Confirm the final numbers with the caterer.
▢ Confirm details with any limousine company.
▢ Draw up a reception seating arrangement and write place cards.
▢ Choose someone to hand out any wedding favours.
▢ Choose someone to return any rented items after the wedding.
▢ Make payments required for the wedding day.
▢ Pack for your honeymoon