Wedding Planning Guide

Have you always had an idea in your mind about your perfect wedding? Whether it be a simple wedding ceremony at a scenic spot at sunset followed by cocktails; or big church wedding with a full nuptial mass and a formal wedding dinner in one of the best hotels, good planning can help you achieve the wedding you want with a minimum of stress on your big day. The following wedding planning guide has some tips to help you.

Planning a wedding is a huge job. If you plan your wedding well, you will be able to sit back and enjoy your big day. The first things to consider when you start planning your wedding are your budget, the amount of time you have to devote to the planning, and the amount of control you want to have over the final result. If you have a big budget and very little time, a professional wedding planner may be the way to go. They can assist you with all of your planning needs from booking a marriage celebrant to organising room decorations, wedding music, limousines etc. On the other hand, if you would like to have more control over things and want to have control over your budget, you may like to do your own wedding planning.

Stage 1:

Get your wedding venue and marriage celebrant sorted

Don’t set your date yet! You need to decide upon your ceremony and reception venues. At this stage, if you are having a civil ceremony, you need to make enquiries and secure the services of a marriage celebrant. The date that these are available may affect your choice of wedding date. Do you have your heart set on a particular church or reception venue, or is it more important to you to secure a particular celebrant?

Some popular venues and celebrants can be booked out many months or even years in advance. It is a good idea to be flexible with your wedding date until you have checked out their availability. It may be necessary to have your wedding on a Sunday or a Friday evening so that you can get what you want.

Finding a Wedding Reception Venue

A great venue is essential to the success of your wedding. Most venues have a function coordinator who will manage your wedding. You need to feel comfortable with the function manager as they will play an important roll. If you have a small number of guests a smaller, more intimate venue with a lovely view may be nicer for an afternoon wedding, but the view is not as important if they wedding reception is in the evening.

Important questions you must ask:

• Do they have a room suitable for the number of guests you are planning?

• What different packages do they provide for different budgets and styles of wedding?

• Do they provide a drinks package or do they sell alcohol on consumption?

• Are they flexible with regards to vegetarian options/ special dietary needs?

• At what point do you need to finalise the numbers? Will you have to pay for guests who are unable to attend?

• Can you make an appointment to be shown through the venue by the function coordinator?

• Can you make an appointment to try the food and wine they have on their menu?

• What kind of deposit is due upon booking?

• When is the final balance due?

• If you are planning to have live music, is amplification allowed?

You need to find someone who can share your vision of your wedding ceremony.

Do they have a set format they like to use or are you able to design your own wedding ceremony? Ideally, you might have a combination of your own words and suggestions by the celebrant.

If you are having a religious wedding ceremony you should find out what the religious requirements are. Many religions will require you to go to pre-marriage counselling or participate in other special preparations.

Once you have set the date, you need to choose and invite your brides maids and groomsmen.

Once you decide to marry, you are required to give a marriage celebrant at least one month and one days notice (and not more than 18 calendar month's notice) of an intended date of marriage.

Once you choose a marriage celebrant, they will ask you to complete a Notice of Intended Marriage form which they will provide to you. Alternatively, you can download the form from the Attorney General's website.¹

More information on planning a wedding...