Here are our helpful suggestions and insider tips on the best people and places to call to make your wedding day the best that it can be.

ONE YEAR BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

Choose your month. Pick a month, any month. The most popular season to get married on Nantucket is the fall. Fall is an ideal time to have your wedding on Nantucket because of the amazing weather, and the summer crowds die down a bit.

If you have a large guest list, do yourself a huge favor and book accommodations on the island as far in advance as you can.

INNS

If you’re looking for an inn, The Brass Lantern Inn (508-228-4064) is a downtown favorite. Owner Michelle Langlois runs a family and pet friendly inn, which is a short walk from the ferry docks.

RENTALS

If you’re looking for a rental, we suggest checking in with John Merson at Sconseteer Properties and taking a peek at his newly renovated home at 46 Fair Street (508-257-9021). This beautiful and historic renovation can accommodate a number of people in your wedding party, and is also located downtown, near the ferries and right off of Main Street.

6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING

REGISTRY

Here’s the fun part: your gift registry. Save your guests from stressing out over getting a gift off-island, and register on-island at Nantucket Looms (508-228-1908). Their friendly and helpful staff can help you and your guests pick out beautiful, local, handmade gifts that will forever remind you of your Nantucket Wedding.

GIFT SHOPPING FOR THE BRIDAL PARTY

Another ideal place for gifts for anyone in the wedding party is Nantucket Natural Oils (508-228-4740); owner John Harding offers hundreds of designer perfumes in the form of an oil that last much longer than normal perfumes, bath & body products, and more. Order online or stop in during your time on Nantucket.

JEWELRY

If you're in the market for fine jewelry, wedding bands, bridesmaid gifts, and other Nantucket-inspired ideas, look no further than the beautiful collection from jeweler Susan Lister Locke (508-228-5531). Susan Lister Locke is an artist who makes classic, sculptural and organic jewelry in 18K gold and sterling silver, with gorgeous pieces inspired from Nantucket's unique beauty.

PHOTOGRAPHY

You want your wedding memories to last forever, and for that, we recommend calling either Zofia Photography or Pixel Perfect to capture those moments. Both highly talented photographers, they provide outstanding quality images without the hassle of bringing a photographer to Nantucket.

Zofia Photography . . .

With a background in fashion, and over a dozen years as a wedding photographer, Zofia Photography (508-221-4693) keeps up with current trends yet preserves classic traditions. Photographer Zofia combines style, love and art in everything she creates. Zofia takes the time to get to know her couples, from her unique Engagement Sessions to the wedding day.

Pixel Perfect . . .

Book your event with photographer and Pixel Perfect owner Laurie Richards (508-325-7270) for truly magical memories of your wedding day. Laurie has made a name for herself on Nantucket for years, photographing some of the most serene and glorious weddings around the island. Her photos can be described as “fresh” and “whimsical”; be sure not to miss out on having her preserve your biggest day in photographs you’ll look back at for years to come.

PLACESETTING & SPECIAL DECOR & TOUCHES

Get your decorations, caterer, wedding planner and tent rentals in order. This includes getting a referral from your caterer, decorator, or planner to Jennifer Shepherd & the experts at Placesetters, Inc (508-228-9192).

For more than 16 years, Shepherd has been delivering some of the most beautiful placesettings and other tabletop accessories for weddings on Nantucket, and your caterer, wedding planner, or florist can work closely with them to coordinate colors, placesettings, and more for your wedding day.

Sperry Tents offers everything you could need for the perfect Nantucket event, including tents, tables & chairs, flooring & lighting, cater equipment, and more.

Elegant companions to the New England landscape, Sperry Tents are a natural choice for weddings and special occasions. Hand-sewn sailcloth sweeps from tall peaks, while stately wooden poles punctuate their graceful curves. Inside, Sperry Tents are artistic; outside, they are poetic.

FLOWERS

We also suggest calling Michael Molinar, expert florist, at Flowers on Chestnut (508-228-6007). His beautiful arrangements and bouquets will have you in awe in no time. And because he’s the best, you might want to call as far as a year in advance. Michael takes special pride in working with his couples to ensure that each and every floral arrangement suits your personal needs and event.

MUSIC

Finally, you can’t forget about boogying down at your reception. Shake your groove thing to the phenomenal sounds of Jeffrey Ross & The Atlantics (508-228-2825), trust us, you will not be disappointed. Jeff Ross & his rocking band have letters of recommendation stacked ceiling high, and an equally impressive resume. Plus, Jeff & his band play your favorite songs like you’ve never heard them before.

A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE THE BIG DAY

Send out your invitations and book your venue well in advance as well. Since many weddings happen around the same time on the island, you want to make sure your ceremony location and reception site are available on the same day.

BEACH CEREMONIES

Many people here opt for beach ceremonies, and there certainly is no shortage of beach on Nantucket. All beaches are public property, so take your pick of some of the most breathtaking backdrops for your big day.

TOWN CLERK & THE JP

If you're choosing to have your ceremony outdoors, we recommend calling a local Justice of the Peace on the island, either Town Clerk Catherine Flanagan Stover (508-228-7216) or Bette M. Spriggs, M. Ed (508-228-4819). Stover’s role as Nantucket Town Clerk has provided her with many amazing opportunities as a Justice of the Peace already, with letters of reference from dozens of happy newlyweds. Spriggs, another excellent choice, takes a unique approach to your wedding and personalizes it for the couple.

DRIVERS

Now you can’t forget about how you’re going to be getting to your ceremony, so let the experts at Highland Drivers (617-803-8382) take care of that. Owner Diane Coombs and her family run Nantucket’s only limousine service, with plenty of classy and pristine vehicles in their fleet to choose from.

RELIGIOUS LOCATIONS

Choosing a location to get married other than the beach? Nantucket has a number of religious organizations on the island to call to coordinate your wedding with:

* Baha'i Faith: 508-228-1861

* Christian Science Society: 508-325-5540

* Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 508-364-2099

* Congregation of Shirat HaYam Jewish-Pluralistic: 508-228-6588

* First Congregational Church: 508-228-0950

* Jehovah's Witnesses: 508-228-8816

* Nantucket Worship Center Interdenominational: 508-228-5616

* New Life Ministries: 508-825-0805

* Quaker Meeting of Nantucket: 508-228-1894 ext 131

* Religious Society of Friends Quakers: 508-325-4045

* 'Sconset Union Chapel Protestant: 508-257-6616

* Second Congregational: 508-228-5466

* St. Mary's - Our Lady of the Isle: 508-228-0100

* St. Paul's Episcopal Church: 508-228-0916

* Summer Street Church Baptist: 508-228-4930

* Unitarian Universalist Church: 508-228-5466

* United Methodist Church: 508-228-1882

CLEANING UP

Also, remember after the event that Ocean Breeze Cleaning (508-325-4503) is available to keep your venue looking beautiful on your wedding day, even after all the dancing, food, drinks, and entertainment. Owner Angel Conrad Frazier guarantees her work, and we know you’ll be more than pleased with their professional and courteous services no matter the size of your wedding.

THE WEEK OF YOUR WEDDING

Have your checklist ready. Make sure you have all of your bridesmaids gifts, parents of the bride and groom's gifts, appointments for all of your beauty needs, and, of course, check the weather. If you have a wedding planner, check in with them, and make sure they have everything they need for your big day.

A FINAL NOTE - WE WISH YOU LUCK!

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and the commitments you make to one another are forever. Sure, shopping for the rings, the dress, the tuxedo, or simply looking for that perfect venue is fun, but remember, your wedding day is all about you and your spouse-to-be, and being on Nantucket is just one of the many perks of it all.

Good luck with your planning! Feel free to leave comments and suggestions below, and stay tuned to Plum for all things Nantucket all year long.