Wedding Planner
Planning for your wedding, you’re engaged to be married. Congratulations! A wedding whether large or intimate can be a complex event to organise. We have put a wedding timeline you may wish to use if you have fewer than six months to plan your wedding. Don’t panic, just get started as soon as possible and never allow the details to overshadow the joy of the event.
Six or more months ahead
-Decide the size and style of wedding you desire: formal or informal, large or intimate. The time of year you want it to take place.
-Set a budget.
-Hire a wedding coordinator; if desired.
-Compile guest list and organise addresses.
-Select the ceremony and reception sites.
-Finalise the wedding date.
-Select the bridal party.
-Order the wedding cake.
-Select the wedding gown and accessories including the veil, gloves and jewellery.
-Select and book an officiant / marriage celebrant; if using.
-Book a cater.
-Select and book Botanic Flowers as your preferred florist, contact us on 1300 820 920 to discuss overall style.
-Book music for ceremony and reception.
-Book photographer and videographer.
-Plan and book your honeymoon.
Four to six months ahead
-Reserve rental equipment such as tables, chairs and marquee.
-Send save the date cards.
-Arrange transport for the wedding day.
-Order stationary, including invitations and thank-you cards, book calligrapher if using.
-Register for gifts.
-Select and purchase wedding rings.
-Purchase or reserve groom and groomsmen attire.
-Select bridesmaids and flower girl’s dresses.
-Purchase stockings and any special lingerie your wedding dress requires.
-Select and purchase bomboniere / wedding favours.
-Book wedding night accomodation.
-Select and purchase gifts for wedding party; if gifting.
-Reserve accomodation for out of town guests and overseas guests.
-Sign up for dance lessons.
-Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive.
Two to four months ahead
-Discuss details of the menu with the cater.
-Discuss service with officiant / wedding celebrant.
-Select readings for ceremony.
-Write you wedding vows, if you choose.
-Schedule rehersal time for ceremony.
-Trial out makeup and hairstyles with a professional.
-Mail invitations.
-Contact newspaper if publishing wedding announcement.
One or two months ahead
-Purchase guest book; if required.
-Have programs or order of service printed.
-Obtain a marriage licence and request certified copies.
-If changing your name, prepare the necessary documents.
Two weeks ahead
-Have a final dress fitting with wedding shoes and lingerie.
-Begin setting plan and write place cards.
-Notify cater or reception of final guest count.
-Write speeches for wedding reception.
-Address announcements, “For the first time as a married couple, let’s welcome (Full name & Full name).
-Break in wedding shoes at home.
-Designate someone to look after your home while you are in your honeymoon.
-Find out where your guests will be staying if you plan to deliver a welcome note or gift to their room.
One week ahead
-Finalise seating plan.
-Assign specific responsibilities such as handing out corsages of buttonholes to members of you wedding part.
-Collect your wedding gown.
-Confirm details with the cater ensuring special dietary accommodations.
-Confirm honeymoon arrangements, and give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member incase of an emergency.
-Pack for the honeymoon.
One day ahead
-Confirm transport arrangements for the wedding day and night if transport is required for wedding night accomodation.
-Give announcements to an attendant for mailing after the wedding, particularly following a micro-wedding or destination wedding.
-Book a spray tan; if required.
-Have a manicure and a pedicure.
-Rehearse the ceremony.
-If having a rehearsal dinner: give gifts to the bridal party and parents to thank them for their support.
-Prepare tip and payment envelopes for vendors and make arrangements for someone to distribute them.
Wedding day checklist
-Gown and veil.
-Shoes, hosiery, lingerie.
-Something old, new, borrowed and blue.
-Jewellery.
-Gloves.
-Makeup.
-Perfume.
-Nail polish and manicure kit.
-Emergency kit: including, asprin, needle & thread, bandaids.
-Hair necessities: dryer, curling iron, straightener, spray and hair pins.
-Toothbrush, toothpaste, breath mints.
-Tissues.
-Copies of a timetable of the days events for attendants and vendors.
-Wedding programs.
-If desired toasting glasses, cake knife and server.
-Written speeches.
-Marriage licence.
-Ring pillow.
-A copy of the vows or reading to be recited at the ceremony.
-Flower basket, if not delivered by the florist.
-Suitcases packed and ready.
-Travel tickets and passports.