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The Wedding Checklist

Planning your wedding is an exciting journey, but it can also come with a whirlwind of emotions. This is why our team at Mon Bijou Bride have compiled a list of helpful tips for planning your special day!


STRESS-FREE TIPS FROM THE TEAM AT MON BIJOU


Start with a clear vision and define your priorities for the big day. What elements do you want to include? What aspects of your wedding matter most to you and your partner? It is important to ensure that you are both on the same page.


SET A BUDGET EARLY ON

Determine your total budget and allocate funds accordingly. Research the cost of venues and other wedding day essentials. Factor in what we call “hidden costs” such as gratuities, alterations, and transportation. Things can add up quickly!


CHOOSE A THEME

CREATE A MOOD BOARD (E.G., PINTEREST)

A mood board is a visual “collage” arranged to evoke a particular feeling, style or concept. Personalize your own to help define the aesthetic and vision you want for your wedding day. (Pro tip: having a clearly defined mood board that conveys your colour scheme and overall vision is also incredibly helpful for your vendors!) 


HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER

Connect and chat with Living it Up Laura! As a wedding planner, she helps reduce stress, save you time and money but most of all she ensures your wedding day will run smoothly. Let her help you bring your wedding vision to life!

Laura Klinger

Instagram: @livingituplaura 


GUEST LIST AND INVITATIONS

Compile your guest list and ensure that your invitations include a clear RSVP deadline. Keep track of responses via a digital spreadsheet. (Pro tip: creating a wedding website is also a good way to keep track!) 

We recommend sending your wedding invitations at least three to four months before the big day. This will give your guests enough time to clear their schedules and plan accordingly. (Consider earlier timelines if you have guests attending from out of town.)


It is also important to decide ahead of time how you want to invite your guests. Will you send Save-the-Dates before the official invitations? Will you be sending e-vites via email, physical invitations, or a combination of both? Consider all available options ahead of time and be sure to research websites whose pricing options align best with your budget.

Some of our favourites include: 


FIND YOUR WEDDING ATTIRE


WEDDING DRESS

Here at Mon Bijou Bride, we recommend starting the process of dress shopping at least 10-12 months before your wedding. Wedding gowns can take up to 28 weeks to arrive once ordered, and you’ll also need to factor in time for alterations. Starting early gives you more than enough time to explore different styles and avoid any last minute pressure. When it comes to your dress, finding “the one” is a process that shouldn’t be rushed!


WEDDING SHOES

When choosing your wedding shoes, always elect comfort over style! You will be in the shoes all day long so you’ll want to make sure the pair you buy are comfortable. (Pro tip: some brides choose to switch from heels to sneakers for the dancing portion of their reception!)


If you are looking for something unique and special, we recommend Juls Bridal Shoes. Juls creates custom hand painted designs on any style shoe or pair of heels that you love. You decide your comfort level by providing the shoes, and she brings your vision to life!



CHOOSE YOUR SUIT

Grooms and groomsmen, choosing the right suit for you comes down to your personal style, budget and comfort. For a once in a lifetime occasion like your wedding, it’s worth investing in something that fits just right. Check your preferred store for “off the rack” (OTR) options, which typically means you “try and buy” the garment as is.


Almost 99% of the time, you’ll need alterations which for OTR can take up to 1-2 weeks. Made-to-Measure (i.e., custom suits) typically take anywhere between 4-6 weeks for production time and delivery. 


Start by choosing your fabric and finding the perfect styling details, then get expertly fitted. If you still don’t find what you’re looking for, consider collaborating with a personal tailor.


DESIGN YOUR WEDDING CAKE 

Designing your dream wedding cake can be a fun process! We recommend local vendor, Cake and Crumb. It’s best to put in your order at least 9 months to 1 year before your wedding. As mentioned above, leverage your Mood Board for inspiration on cake design. When placing your order, it’s important to provide your cakemaker the address of your venue as well as the expected number of guests. This plays a role in determining the size, number of slices, and cost of the cake. Cake tastings are held once a month and you can book online via their website. 



CEREMONY AND RECEPTION

Plan your seating arrangements, finalize decor and entertainment needs. This can be the fun part of planning your wedding as you can truly decide how you want the feel of your day to be. Consider personalized vows and/or unique traditions that are meaningful to you. (Pro tip: your mood board will come in handy as inspiration!)


OBTAIN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENCE

Apply online for your marriage licence at least 90 days before your wedding date. After your application is complete, you will need to book an in-person appointment at your local City Hall to process the application and receive your license.


AND MOST IMPORTANTLY… 

Always remember the bigger picture—your wedding is about celebrating your love and not perfection. Enjoy the journey, savour the moments, and trust that everything will come together beautifully as it was meant to be!



RECOMMENDED VENDORS

It’s important to be 100% certain before booking a venue and/or securing your vendors. Review preferred options with your partner and discuss all the details. Conducting adequate research and planning everything in advance will allow you to enjoy your special day, hassle-free! 


 We’ve included for your consideration below a list of local vendors that we’ve collaborated with and trust. 



SEAMSTRESSES/TAILORS


Melanie Vandenberg


Laleta’s Alterations



ALTERATIONS & CUSTOM DESIGN

Prinx Lydia

Prinx specializes in queer and gender-neutral clothing as well as bridal and wedding attire. They provide alterations and custom work for any person of any gender, guaranteeing a safe space for people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community so they can feel comfortable during the entire process.



SUIT STORES


Moores


Harry Rosen


Sur Mesur


Ludlow’s Menswear



HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTS (HMUA)



Lisa Nguyen

Based in Brantford, Lisa and her team provide makeup and hair services. Lisa recommends brides to book 8-12 months in advance. The sooner, the better to secure your date! Find her work on her website and get in contact with Lisa and the team. 


MAKEUP ARTISTS (MUA) 


Lindsay Scarfone

With 20 years in the beauty industry, Lindsay is a well established makeup artist based in Norfolk County. Lindsay recommends her brides to book at least 8 months to one year out for a wedding. Makeup trials and wedding day bookings can be done via her website.



VENUES

Cranberry Creek

Located in Delhi, Ontario, Cranberry Creek is open for bookings for 2027 weddings. Their wedding season bookings open every November. Visits are by appointment only.


River’s Edge

Located in Paris, Ontario, River’s Edge recommends booking one to two years from your desired wedding date (for Saturdays or Sundays). They still have some availability for 2026 weddings.



FLORISTS


Forest of Flowers

At Forest of Flowers it’s best to finalize your wedding florals a month before your wedding date. Consulting with a knowledgeable florist is beneficial to inform and suggest the best possible choices for your wedding and to bring your floral vision to life! 



Windflower

Windflower is a full-service wedding floral studio and they specialize in creating romantic, garden-inspired designs that feel both elevated and natural. They’re all about thoughtful details, unique colour palettes and bringing couples' vision to life through flowers. Typically brides should reach out 8-12 months in advance.



PHOTOGRAPHERS 

Once you finalize your wedding date, it’s best to book your photographer right away. Find a photographer that not only has a signature style but one that can match your vision. Make sure your photographer understands who you are as a couple. This is super important as they are capturing the magic of your love story on the big day! 


Ridout Photography (Mark)


Blackbird (Melissa)



CATERING 


Devlin’s Country Bistro & Catering

Devlin’s Country Bistro & Catering is happy to offer their services all across Ontario. No event is too big or too small, their catering services are happy to serve you all. While booking, the most important thing they need to know is the date, location/venue, amount of guests at your wedding and the style of meal you are looking to serve. You can find their menu packages online at the link below and get in contact!




 
 
 

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