It's wonderful to hear that you are planning a wedding.

EncorENTERTAINMENT congratulates you and your fiancé and we are happy to provide you with this wedding checklist. It will make planning this special event much easier.

Most of the important details you will need to consider are included on the list. Even so, each wedding is unique in its family traditions, personal preferences and ethnic and religious heritage. You may wish to modify the checklist to suit your own needs and desires.

Planning is everything when it comes to the real important events in life. As your plans unfold, look to us to make your wedding memorable.

EncorENTERTAINMENT specializes in providing the best in entertainment to fit all kinds of party plans. Please feel free to contact us at 508-993-1999 to assist with your wedding needs.

Six to Twenty-Four Months Ahead

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  Inform your families and close friends of your decision. Traditionally, the bride's parents are informed first (the groom may or may not ask her father's permission), then the groom's parents. However, if either of you have children, they should be the first to know.
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  Once all parties are informed, send an official engagement notice to your hometown newspapers.
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  Determine your budget and the kind of wedding (informal, formal, etc.) you desire, also decide where the ceremony will take place.
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  Consult your priest, rabbi, minister or other official to choose a date and time for the ceremony. There may be some restrictions on the date (e.g. no weddings during Lent) or time of day (e.g. Jewish weddings held on Saturdays must be delayed until one hour after sunset). If a civil ceremony is being planned, a license can be obtained much later.
  Remember to call EncorENTERTAINMENT for just the right music during your ceremony.
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  Plan your reception. It is best to sit down, in consultation with both families and decide on the time and place of the wedding reception. While together, you should also draw up a preliminary list of guests and an invitation list.
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  Contract a caterer if your reception site does not offer a catering service. Decide on your budget, style of service and menu.
  EncorENTERTAINMENT can refer you to excellent catering services.
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  Choose your attendants (Maid of Honor, Best Man, Ushers, etc.).
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  Enroll with the bridal gift registries of all your favorite department and/or specialty stores.
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  Select your dress, veil. accessories and bridesmaids' dresses.
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  Select a men's formalwear specialist.
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  Select photographer and/or videographer, florist, musicians.
  
  EncorENTERTAINMENT provides highly professional musicians. From jazz to big band, classical to rock, EncorENTERTAINMENT tailors the music to suit your needs. And, EncorENTERTAINMENT offers excellent DJ's, karaoke, as well as professional video and photography.

Four to Six Months Ahead

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  Order your invitations, personal stationary, notepaper and thank-you notes.
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  Discuss and finalize the guest list with both families.
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  Plan accommodations for out-of-town guests.
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  Arrange for your rehearsal dinner.
  EncorENTERTAINMENT will be happy to arrange musical entertainment with a classical ensemble, harpist, jazz trio or music of your own preference.
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  Make formalwear rental arrangements for groom, fathers and the ushers.
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  Consult travel agent and plan your honeymoon.
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  Have mothers choose their dresses.
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  Visit your doctor for a complete physical exam, set date for blood test.

Two to Four Months Ahead

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  Start making plans to acquire your marriage license.
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  Select your wedding reception music.
  EncorENTERTAINMENT will plan music and songs to suit your musical taste.
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  Contact your jeweler and buy wedding rings; order engraving.
  Pegasus Jewelry will design your wedding rings and customize wedding bands. Call for details.
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  Meet with stationer and place your order for invitations and stationery. This should allow you plenty of time for corrections, addressing, mailing, receipt by guests and responses. If you are inviting many guests from out-of-town, you will want to send out invitations sooner.
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  Meet with your priest, rabbi, minister or other clergy to plan your wedding ceremony.
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  Plan transportation for you (and possibly the wedding party) to the ceremony, reception and wedding night destination.
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  Make sure all overnight accommodations for out-of-town guests have been arranged and confirmed.

One to Two Months Ahead

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  Mail out invitations
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  Select and purchase gifts for attendants.
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  Select and purchase a gift for your groom/bride.
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  Consult beautician and/or hair stylist about possible styles, beauty concerns and appointments for you and your bridal party.
  Have final wedding dress fittings.
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  The best man should coordinate the final fittings for the groom and ushers and arrange for picking up the rental garments.
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  Finalize arrangements with:
  -Photographer
  -Videographer
  -Florist
  -Transportation
  -Reception &/or Caterer (confirm final number of guests and draw up seating plan)
  -Travel Agent
  -Musicians
  Contracting EncorENTERTAINMENT ensures a perfect party. Throughout the planning, we are always available to help you complete your entertainment plans.
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  Start planning your honeymoon wardrobes and luggage needs. If you are going abroad, make sure that you both have valid passports and any immunization shots necessary.
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  Pick up wedding rings.
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  Purchase wedding license.

One to Two Weeks Ahead

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  Arrange to pick up bridal ensemble (dress, veil, shoes, etc.).
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  Send your wedding announcement to your hometown newspapers.
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  Prepare announcements to be mailed immediately after the wedding.
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  Prepare envelopes with payments for ceremony officials (priest, rabbi, minister, altarpersons, musicians, etc.).
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  Have final consultation with:
  -Caterer
  -Florist
  -Photographer &/or Videographer
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  Hold bachelor party
  Call EncorENTERTAINMENT for surprise entertainment: belly dancers, costumed singing telegrams such as a French Maid, Blond Bombshell or Lady Gorilla. Always fun-filled and in good taste.
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  Hold bachelorette party.
  EncorENTERTAINMENT adds zest and good-natured humor to your party by providing a costumed male dancer . Performer appears dressed as a Policeman. Construction worker, Cowboy, etc.
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  Confirm rehearsal plans with clergy and attendants.
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  If you plan to change your name on Social Security, driver's license, credit cards and/or bank accounts, contact the necessary officials to obtain the required forms.

The Night Before

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  Finish packing for the wedding night and honeymoon.
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  If you are having a rehearsal party, arrive with gifts for the attendants
  You can be sure all details will be in place when EncorENTERTAINMENT is hired for music. A harpist, jazz duo, classical ensemble, DJ or the music of your choice will create the right mood.
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  Entrust the payment envelopes to the best man for delivery after the services.
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  Relax, you're almost there!
  

Your Wedding Day

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  Don't forget:
  -Car Keys
  -Wedding Rings
  -Marriage License (if not already given to the priest, rabbi, etc.)
  -Keys to your home
  -Change of clothes
  -Airline tickets
  -Passports
  -Money
  -Hotel Confirmations
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  If a limousine is driving you to the wedding ceremony, plan to have someone drive your car to the reception site with your honeymoon luggage in the trunk.
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  Be dressed and ready for the photographer at the time agreed.
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  The bride should transfer her engagement ring to her right hand.
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  Enjoy your day and Congratulations!
  
  
  EncorENTERTAINMENT wishes you a wonderful, love-filled life together. We look forward to helping make this special day one you'll treasure forever.