Weddings are a special combination of traditional customs and individual expressions. And like the couples embarking on this magnificent journey, no two weddings are exactly alike. Whether it's seaside casual or sophisticated city gala, each event is a beautiful reflection of personal style and taste. So, for this extraordinary occasion, we have gathered together a list of local merchants, venues and support people to help you start planning your special day. We also have included a wedding check list to help make the planning easier and more fun. Remember, with every engagement ring we sell at Suncoast Gem Lab we will give you a wedding planning guide too!
Wedding Planning Tips
12 to 18 months | 4 to 6 months | 2 to 4 months | 1 to 2 months | 2 weeks | 1 week | day before | wedding day
12 to 18 months ahead of the wedding
- Determine your budget and the type of wedding (formal, informal)
- Choose a location for the wedding (banquet hall, church, etc)
- Visit your officiate (church) or clergyman/woman with your fiancee
- Agree with your spouse-to-be and your family on your wedding date
- Plan and attend several bridal shows for ideas
- Choose your attendants (wedding party/guest list)
- Hire a wedding planner/coordinator, if you choose
- Write up a tentative invitation list, for number of guests
- Select your entertainment: band or disc jockey (DJ)
- Choose your location for the reception; call around compare prices and services
- Plan the reception. Most services will require a deposit
- Plan and agree upon the rehearsal site
- Pick your date, determine day or evening, color schemes, etc.
- Enroll with a bridal registry at your local department store
- Look for your dress, veil, accessories; allow time for alterations/fittings
- Call up and select the bridesmaids
- Select your bridesmaid's dresses
- The groom consults with a formal wear specialist
- Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses
- Choose a beautiful place for your honeymoon
- Select photographer and/or videographer
- Select a florist or floral supplier, determine fresh or artificial flowers
- Shop for a caterer
- Apply for passports and/or acquire appropriate proof of citizenship if needed
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Four to six months ahead of the wedding
- Shop for and order invitations, calligraphy, announcements & thank you notes
- Order napkins, matchbooks and personalized favors
- Plan accommodations for out-of-town guests
- Arrange for your rehearsal dinner
- Select a baker for your wedding cake. Decide the configuration of the cake(s)
- Make airline & hotel reservations for the honeymoon
- Fine tune the guest list
- Shop for and order wedding favors
- Draw a time line for the wedding reception
- Call the photographer to set up a time for the bridal portrait
- Book a limousine company for transportation on your wedding day
 Shop for a Party rental place and make reservations for any rentals - Agree on a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake
- Share and discuss the reception timeline all parties involved
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Two to four months ahead of the wedding
- Address, stuff and seal wedding announcements
- Draw up a seating plan for invited guests
- If you're planning on a custom-made wedding cake top, order at this time
- Select music for your church service (if any)
- Choose and purchase gifts for your attendants (bridal party)
- Buy your wedding rings together (at Suncoast Gem Lab, of course)
- Make a date to get your marriage license
- Make a map to the church and reception hall, for local and out-of-town guests
- Mail wedding announcement to guests living abroad
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One to two months ahead of the wedding
- Buy wedding gift for your future spouse
- Make appointment with hairstylist, manicurist, etc.
- Have final dress fitting, bride and bridesmaids
- Groom verify all groomsmen have been fitted for their outfits
- Mail all other invitations
- Visit the photographer to have formal wedding portrait taken
- Pick up your wedding rings
- Confirm with all hired professionals correct dates and times
- Discuss with the officiate the specifics of the wedding ceremony
- Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner
- Choose gifts for the groom and the attendants
- Make final alterations and fittings for the wedding gown
- Contact out of town guests and make necessary hotel reservations
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Two weeks ahead of the wedding
- Send your wedding announcement and photo to local newspaper
- Review seating plan for reception
- Confirm your honeymoon arrangements
- Meet with DJ to select music and special events during the reception.
- Make reservations for bridesmaids' luncheon.
- Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time
- Fill out and submit application for the marriage license
- Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ
- Attend showers
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One week ahead of the wedding
 Have final consultation with caterer and florist - Write checks (or get cash) for hired professionals, give to best man to distribute
- Verify tickets and seating (if flying), make sure all travel documents are handy
- Start packing for your honeymoon - try to do most of it
- Visit Suncoast Gem Lab to have your engagement ring cleaned and polished
- Discuss final details of the ceremony and reception with the pertinent parties
- Get final guest counts to necessary hired service professionals
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The day before...
- Visit the beauty salon for manicure and pedicure
- Attend the rehearsal and dinner
- Make sure the ushers have the final guest list
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The wedding day...
- Make sure you eat something
- Visit the beauty salon for hair styling & make-up (bring veil/headpiece)
- Make sure your wedding gown is pressed and steamed
- Bring a change of clothes if you are leaving for your honeymoon
- Try to relax... unwind yourself... and savor your special day
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Suncoast Gem Lab's Wedding Referral List
attire| cake | caterer | florist | honeymoon | invitations | music | photographer
planning | venues | miscellaneous | transportation | videographer
Bridalwear & Tux Rental
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 Cakes
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Caterers
- Broadway Catering | 6409 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton FL
(941) 792-4997
- Café L'Europe | 431 St Armand's Circle, Sarasota FL 34236
(941) 388-4415 | http://www.cafeleurope.net/catering.html
- Michael's on East | 1212 East Avenue S, Sarasota FL 34239
(941) 366-0007 | http://www.michaelsoneast.com/catering.html
- Nellie's Deli Market & Catering | 3688 Webber St, Sarasota FL
(941) 921-4571 or (941) 924-2705 | www.nelliescataering.com
- Orange Blossom Catering | Bradenton FL
(941) 747-1827
- Simply Gourmet Caterer | 4783 Swift Rd, Sarasota FL
(941) 929-0066 | www.simplygourmetcaterers.com
- Sun Dance Catering | 243 Field End St, Sarasota FL
(941) 341-0803
- Wild Monkey Gourmet | 5789 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton FL
(941) 761-4466
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Florists
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Honeymoon Travel
- FloridaTravelnet.com | 5931 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota FL 34232
(800) 720-9005 | www.floridatravelnet.com
- Gem Travel Consultants Inc | 3737 Bahia Vista, Suite 2, Sarasota FL
(941) 951-0046 | www.gemtravel.com
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Invitations
- Amy's Hallmark | DeSoto Square Mall, 303 301 Blvd W #221, Bradenton FL 34201
(941) 747-6266
- By Invitation Only
(941) 739-5161 | www.byinvitation.cceasy.com
- Décor More | 6713 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton FL
(941) 792-4235
- Elaine's Bridal Boutique | 5238 East State Rd. 64, Bradenton FL 34208
(941) 747-8576 | www.elainesbridalboutique.com
- Ltm Party Stores | 7373 52nd Place E, Bradenton FL 34203
(941) 751-1766 | www.ltmweddings.com
- Personally Yours (Debra Lehman), Bradenton FL 34201
(941) 792-2500 or (941) 794-2837
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Music: Wedding & Reception
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Photographers
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Planning, Coordinators & Officiates
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Reception & Wedding Locations
- Beach Bistro Banquets At Island's End | 6600 Gulf Drive N, Bradenton Beach FL
(941) 778-6444 | www.beachbistro.com
- Bayside Banquet Hall | 4628 119th St W, Cortez FL 34215
(941) 798-2035 | www.baysidebanquethall.com
- Chart House | 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key
(941) 383-5593 | www.chart-house.com/loc-longboat.html
- Chelsea Center | 2506 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota FL 34231
(941) 927-7689 | www.chelseacenter.com
- Crosley Museum | One Seagate Drive, 8374 North Tamiami Tr., Sarasota FL 34243
(941) 722-3244 | www.powelcrosleymuseum.com/pages/rentals.html
- Gamble Plantation Historic State Park | 3708 Patten Ave, Ellenton FL 34222
(941) 723-4536 | www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation
- Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel | 1540 Ben Franklin Dr., Sarasota FL 34236
(941) 388-2181 | www.helmsleysandcastle.com/contact-sarasota-hotels.asp
- Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort |
4711 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key FL 34228
(941) 383-2451 | www.longboatkeyhilton.com
 Holiday Inn Riverfront | 100 Riverfront Dr W, Bradenton FL 34205
(941) 747-3727 | www.holidayinn.com- John and Mabel Ringling Estate |
5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota FL 34243
(941) 359-5700 | ext 6 & sub-ext 1 | www.ringling.org
- Lake Manatee State Park | 20007 State Road 64, Bradenton FL 34212
www.floridastateparks.org/lakemanatee/ParkSummary.cfm
- Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club | 7650 Legacy Blvd, Bradenton FL 34202
(941) 907-4700 | www.lakewoodranchgolf.com
- Legacy Golf Club | 8255 Legacy Blvd, Bradenton FL 34202
(941) 907-7920 | www.legacygolfclub.com
- Lido Beach Resort | 700 Ben Franklin Dr | Sarasota FL
(941) 388-5627 | www.lidobeachresorts.com or www.greatresortweddings.com
- Manatee Riverhouse at Regatta Pointe, Inc | 995 Riverside Dr, Palmetto FL 34221
(941) 721-3800 | www.manateeriverhouse.com
- Manatee Village Historical Park | 1404 Manatee Ave East, Bradenton FL 34208
(941) 741-4075 | www.clerkofcourts.com/ClerkServices/HisVill/mchvillage.htm
- Marina Jack | 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota FL 34236
(941) 366-9255 | www.marinajacks.com
- Mattison's (Twin Dolphin Marina) | 1200 1st Ave W, Bradenton FL 34205
(941) 748-8087 | www.mattisons.com/weddings.cfm
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | 811 S Palm Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
(941) 366-5731 | www.selby.org
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium | 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota FL
(941) 388-4441 | www.mote.org
- Palma Sola Botanical Park | 9800 17th Avenue NW, Bradenton FL 34209
(941) 761-2866 | www.palmasolabp.com/events.asp
- Palmetto Historical Park (Heritage Chapel) | 515 10th Ave W, Palmetto FL 34221
(941) 723-4991 | www.clerkofcourts.com/ClerkServices/HisVill/palmetto_park.htm
- Peridia Golf and Country Club | 4950 Peridia Blvd E, Bradenton FL 34203
(941) 758-2582 | www.peridiagcc.net
- Ritz-Carlton Sarasota | 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota FL 34236
Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club | 7295 Lorraine Road, Bradenton FL 34202
(941) 309-2000 | www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Sarasota
- River Club | 6600 River Club Blvd, Bradenton FL 34202
(941) 751-4211 | www.riverclubgc.com
- Sarasota County Parks |
www.scgov.net
- Sarasota Polo Club | 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota FL 34240
(941) 907-0000 | www.sarasoatapolo.com
- South Florida Museum | 201 10th St W, Bradenton FL 34205
(941) 746-4131 | www.southfloridamuseum.org/rental.asp
- Stardust Event Center | 2571 12th St, Sarasota FL 34237
(941) 744-1185 | www.stardusteventcenter.com
- Stonybrook Golf Club | 7515 Grand Harbor Parkway, Bradenton FL 34212
(941) 746-2696, www.stoneybrookgolfbradenton.com
- Tropical Breeze Resort | 5150 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota FL 34242
(941) 349-1125 | www.tropicalbreezeinn.com/TBmeetings.html
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Rentals and Miscellaneous
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Transportation
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Videographers
- Imely Photography & Video |
2424 Whipporwill Circle, Sarasota FL 34231
(941) 927-7032 | www.imelylphoto.com
- Sage Photo & Video Art | 2749 Siesta Dr, Suite C, Sarasota FL 34239
(941) 923-4333
- Studio 26 Productions Inc | Bradenton FL
(941) 751-2600 | www.studio26weddings.com
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Aunt Helen's Saddle Creek Florist |
5829 26th St W, Bradenton FL 34207
Katie Beyer Photography | (941) 708-3379
Executive Limousines | Sarasota, FL