Your complete

WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE

CALL: 1300 618 033 PILLINGERS HIRING SERVICE

1
 CONTENTS

Introduction 3
1. Wedding planning checklist 4
2. Budget 6
3. Engagement Party 10
4. Date and venue 12
5. Wedding Planner 15
6. Bridal Party 18
7. Guest List 20
8. Save the date and invitation 21
9. Celebrant 22
10. Photographer and videographer 23
11. Entertainment 25
12. Catering and alcohol 27
13. The dress 29
14. Rings 35
15. Wedding register 39
16. Florist 41
17. Decorations 44
18. Transport 46
19. Timeline of the day 47
20. Rehearsal dinner 50
21. Cake 51
22. Other outfits 53
23. Hair and makeup 55
24. Marriage license 56
25. Vows 57
26. Speeches & Readings 58
27. Gifts 59
28. Last Minute 60
Resources 60

2
 INTRODUCTION

So you’re going to get married! Congratulations! But where exactly do you start? We all know that
planning a wedding is a huge task, and can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or what
to prioritise in the tasks ahead. Here’s where this guide comes in handy. With sections outlining
everything you need to know, from the budget through to last minute details, you’ll find helpful hints
to remember when dealing with vendors and deciding on the finer details, as well as useful links to
inspire and inform.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

This complete guide is set out to prioritise the tasks you need to plan and organise earlier than others.
Before you start, we recommend you look over the broader sections of the guide before honing
in on individual tasks. To help keep you on track, we’ve included a checklist to help you plan your
engagement from start to finish - whether it’s three months or two years time!

WHERE TO START:

Before you jump head first into the wedding planning process, here are some helpful tips to help keep
your wedding planning simple and stress free.

1. Do your research - look around and don’t rely too heavily on one resource
2. Make a list of resources you find useful and that mirror your style (our resources list right at
the end of this guide is a great place to start)
3. Keep note of items you might need to hire as you find or think of them
4. Be realistic with your budget
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends!

3
 1.YOUR WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST

The best way to keep track of what you have to do

and what you’ve already done is, of course, with a
checklist. We’ve included a checklist for you with
a helpful timeline. This will help you to determine
which tasks are more urgent, such as venue
and celebrant - both services that book out far in
advance - and which tasks can be left to complete
a little closer to the big day.

Keep in mind that this checklist is based on an

engagement of 12 months. So if your engagement
is shorter or longer, your priorities may
vary slightly.

DOWNLOAD
our PDF Wedding Planning checklist

4
 2. BUDGET

We’re sure you’ve heard it before, but we’ll say

it again: weddings can be expensive.
IN FACT THE
AVERAGE
Before you jump into planning your big day AUSTRALIAN
and locking in venues and vendors, decide on
your budget. How much can you afford? And
WEDDING
who will be paying for what? COSTS $36,000
Traditionally, the bride’s parents covered the majority of the wedding costs, however today,
increasingly couples are footing the bill themselves, or sharing the cost of their wedding with both the
bride’s and groom’s parents.

Luckily there are a few simple, effective ways to trim costs from your wedding without compromising
too much on the style of day you’re dreaming of. Here are our top tips:

DON’T GET MARRIED ON A SATURDAY

Saturdays are the most sought after, and therefore expensive, day of the week for weddings. The
venues, wedding planners, photographers, transport and even hair and makeup costs can jump just
by being booked on a Saturday. Instead, have your wedding on a weekday or even on a Sunday to
trim the costs. Give your guests enough notice and they will happily take the time off to be at your
wedding. If they don’t, do you really want them present after all?

BORROW WHAT YOU CAN

Plenty of items at weddings are used once and once only. Before you buy anything new, think about
family or friends’ weddings you’ve been to and who might have an item you could reuse. There might
be a family ring to pass down to you, a veil your sister or friend wore you can also use, vintage
suitcases that make for a perfect wishing well, or a gorgeous vintage car your uncle owns that could
become your wedding car on the day.

6
 ASK FOR FRIENDLY FAVOURS

Before you book a vendor, think about the talents of your friends and family. You might have some
crafty mates who can help make decorations or design the invitations for you. You could get big ticket
items like photography or entertainment at a discount, or if they can do it as a favour, the gift you give
them will likely be much less than the original cost of paying for it.

ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

If you book a vendor, be sure to ask your friends and family who likely have recommendations for
excellent vendors they used. Wedding vendors often have partnerships or work closely with other
vendors that they can recommend. You can save money by booking a venue and using their preferred
photographers or hair and makeup artists as your whole package price will usually be brought down.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before locking in a vendor, look around and get a few quotes for the same thing. This will educate you
on different prices and quality, making you better equipped to make the right decision and know when
you’re getting a good deal.

SALES SALES SALES!

The earlier you can decide on the items you want, the longer you will have, and therefore better
chance of getting them on sale. Waiting to purchase items on sale will not only save you money, but
you won’t be rushed making decisions and choosing gifts or accessories if you know where to buy
them and how much they usually cost.

DO IT YOURSELF

There are so many things you can DIY for a wedding, as long as you give yourself time. There are a
whole host of websites where you can create your own invitations (see section 8), blogs with DIY
activities for decorations (see section 17), wedding favours (see section 27).

7
 BEFORE YOU ALLOCATE ALL OF YOUR WEDDING BUDGET
TO THE BIG TICKET ITEMS, DON’T FORGET THESE UNEXPECTED
WEDDING COSTS:

• Marriage license - (See section 24)

• Pre-wedding beauty treatments (don’t forget hair and makeup trials, manicure and pedicure,

spray tan etc.) Look for deals on sites like Groupon or OurDeal.

• Hens party - while traditionally the bridesmaids will cover the cost of the bride to be, if

you’re planning a weekend getaway hens party, you may need to pay for your own airfare or

accommodation.

• Day-of Stationery - place cards, menus, programs etc.

• Postage - if you choose to send your ‘save the date’s’ and wedding invitations by mail, be sure

to budget for this.

• Hotel room for the night before the wedding

• Food on the wedding day - don’t forget you and your bridesmaids will need to eat before the

wedding or you’ll likely starve as soon as the nerve subside and hunger strikes post ceremony.

• Lingerie to wear under your dress - (See section 13)

• Pre-wedding party dresses - for the hens party, rehearsal dinner and day-after brunch, wear

dresses you already own to save money on buying new ones.

• Welcome packs - when hosting out of town guests, leave them a note, map, city attractions

and schedule of events to make them feel welcome and in the loop.

• Gifts - wedding favours, presents for parents and friends who’ve helped out.

(See section 27)

• Meal Count - Don’t forget to include yourselves and your vendors in the meal count! Couples

often forget to include themselves in the table count. And don’t forget to supply a meal for your

vendors - they will be with you for around 8 hours after all!

8
 HOT Don’t forget to include a buffer of cash for unexpected items
TIP! such as if the wedding runs overtime and you need to pay
vendors overtime, if you need extra decorations at the last
minute, unexpected guests and last minute beauty treatments.

The average Australian wedding may cost $36,000, but how much should you spend on individual
items? This extensive and useful budget planner from True Bride includes the average Australian
cost of each item, and allows you to add in or disregard any items appropriate to your wedding.

9
 3. THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

Once the initial excitement of the engagement calms down and you’ve shared the news with your
family and friends, it’s time to think about a party. Having an engagement party is not necessary,
seeing as it’s rarely used to announce the engagement anymore. That being said, having a party is a
wonderful way to celebrate and introduce your family and friends to one another before your wedding.
If you’re planning on a short engagement and choose to give the engagement party a miss altogether,
skip to the next section. If not, here are a few things to consider.

FIRST THING’S FIRST: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

How will you announce your engagement? It’s a common courtesy to call or send a note in the mail
to your close family and friends before sharing the news on social media. If you want to surprise your
family and friends, you could throw a spontaneous party to share the news with them in person.

ENGAGEMENT PARTY GUEST LIST

The first of many rules when it comes to wedding guest lists is, only invite them to the engagement
party if you’ll be inviting them to the wedding as well. That is, of course, unless you choose to have an
intimate wedding with few people from the other side of the world. A general rule of thumb is to first
think about how big you want your wedding to be, and make the engagement party the same.

WHO’S HOSTING?

Traditionally the bride’s parents host the engagement party, however as with most traditions, these
lines are blurred today. Speak to your parents or close friends and decide how you want to celebrate
- if at all. If the bride and groom come from different places, you may want to have two parties to
celebrate with friends far away.

10
 SET THE STYLE

The engagement party kick starts the wedding celebrations, so it’s fitting for the party to set the tone
for the style and theme of the wedding. If you’re planning on having a low key backyard wedding,
having a glamorous cocktail engagement party may not suit and vice versa.

GIFTS

Typically speaking, it isn’t common for the bride and groom to specify to receive gifts for their
engagement as this usually happens at the wedding.

HERE IS A HANDY CHECKLIST FOR PLANNING YOUR

ENGAGEMENT PARTY:

Agree on the host or venue

Decide on a date

Set the guestlist

Organise and send the invitations

Plan the party decorations

Set the menu and drinks

Prepare any ice-breaking activities for your friends and family to mingle

Plan your outfits (you are the engaged couple, after all!)

11
 4. DATE AND VENUE(S) FOR YOUR WEDDING

Are you going to have a destination wedding, or tie the knot closer to home? Have you always had
your heart set on a beautiful church, or perhaps having the party in your own backyard? Wherever
you choose to have your wedding, the venue and time of year are two of the first things you need
to secure.

Firstly, the time of year. Do you want a summer evening wedding, or perhaps a cosy winter one? Think
about the dress (section 13), the style of food (section 12), the flowers (section 16), the photos
(section 10) and the time of day (section 19). These will all change depending on the season you
choose.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING AND

SECURING A VENUE?

NUMBER OF GUESTS

The venue you choose is dependent on the size of wedding you plan to host. If you’re planning on
having an intimate gathering of 50 guests, it probably isn’t too wise to look at venues that can cater for
300, and vice versa. You don’t need to have your guest list set in stone, just an idea of the number of
guests you’d like to have. See section 7 for more on the guest list.

HOT
TIP! If you’re struggling to decide on numbers, booking a venue with limited capacity
is also a good way to limit your guest list.

12
 TIME OF DAY

When booking the venue you may be required to also book a time, especially at venues that may be
large enough to cater for more than one wedding per day. Before locking this in, consider the time of
year and timing of the day (see section 19). This will also affect your photos (see section 10). The
best time of day to take photos is generally the hour or two before sunset, commonly referred to as
Golden hour. Chat to your photographer about the best way to fit this in around your ceremony and
reception.

HOT Consider having a morning ceremony and brunch or lunchtime reception.

TIP! This can both save you money as this time of day is generally cheaper at
venues. And you’ll get to spend more time on your wedding day with your
new husband!

OTHER VENDORS

It is important when booking a venue to ask about other vendors. Some venues have preferred
vendors such as celebrants, photographers and caterers that you must engage. Others are happy for
you to book and use whatever professionals you choose.

CATERING OPTIONS

Wedding reception venues often have an inhouse kitchen and offer catering services. The style of
food and range of options for different dietary requirements will obviously impact your decision. If
the venue offers different packages, it may also be possible to bring an external catering company
in. Consider the style of event you would like, as venues will often have different prices and
accommodate different numbers for cocktail and sit down dinner events. Take a look at section 12
for more on catering and alcohol.

13
 5. WEDDING PLANNER

DO YOU NEED A WEDDING PLANNER?

Many couples don’t ever consider hiring a wedding planner. They see the extra cost as exactly that.
But in reality, a wedding planner can save you time, stress, and sometimes even money.

Some couples have a clear vision of exactly how they want their special day to go, and are naturally
organised enough to make this happen. Others may know what they want their day to look like, but
have no idea how to make it happen. This is where a wedding planner can step in and help.

WHAT IS A DOP (DAY-OF-PLANNER) AND

WHY DO YOU NEED ONE?

You may be a very hands on bride, excited and organised enough to do most of the planning yourself.
But it’s unlikely, even then, that you or your groom will want to be running around the night before, or
even day of your wedding finishing last minute touches.

Most wedding planners offer a DOP service. Despite its name, this service generally takes over the
reigns from the bride and her family during the week leading up to the wedding. A Day-of-planner
generally takes care of the following things:

• Confirms all bookings and payments for vendors (photographers, celebrants,

flowers, cake)
• Either organises or helps to organise setting up of the venue the night before, confirming
catering numbers, place settings etc.
• Confirms time and location for cake, flowers and other deliveries on the wedding day
• Ensures all vendors are in the right place at the right time
• Helps to organise guests for ceremony, photos, reception
• Deals with any hiccups that may occur

For an excellent real life account from a bride who didn’t hire a wedding planner, but in retrospect can
see the benefits, this Huffington Post article is worth reading.

15
PROS & CONS
OF WEDDING PLANNER

PROS
They handle a lot of the organising for you,
saving you time and stress

They have a range of industry contacts and

recommendations

They think of things you may not even consider

necessary

They can save you money by avoiding

dodgy vendors, and they know how
much services should cost

They’re experienced
professionals who do this every day!

Pillingers Hiring Service.

PROS & CONS
OF WEDDING PLANNER

CONS
Initially it costs money to hire the planner

They may direct you to use their

preferred vendors who are
not right for you

You may not want someone

else organising your big day

Pillingers Hiring Service.

 6. BRIDAL PARTY

Who do you want by your side at the alter? Perhaps you want a simple wedding with no bridesmaids
or groomsmen; or maybe you want a long line of your closest friends by your side. If you’re thinking
about the latter, here are some quirky ways of asking your bridesmaids and groomsmen to be by
your side:

ASKING THE BRIDESMAIDS:

• Hosting a ‘bridesmaids high tea’

• Slipping a sweet, handwritten letter into their handbag explaining why you need them
there on your big day
• Gift your bridesmaids matching rings or bracelets to wear on your wedding day

ASKING THE GROOMSMEN:

• Custom label alcohol bottles or beer glasses with their name or a personal message
• Plan an event to hang out and ask your best man or men the big question
• Gift them a bowtie to wear on your wedding day
• Colourful, patterned socks for the groomsmen to wear on the wedding day

For some more ideas head to these two curated Etsy pages, which are filled with bridal party
inspiration.

Popular items for asking groomsmen Popular items for asking bridesmaids

HOT While you may want your childhood bestie to be by your side on your
wedding day, remember the role of your bridal party and consider if they suit.
TIP! Bridesmaids and groomsmen are there to help out the couple organising both
in the lead up and on the day of the wedding, so choosing friends who are
organised and take initiative will take a lot of pressure of you.

18
 HOW TO GET YOUR
GUEST LIST RIGHT!

1. Make four guest lists and label them 1 to 4, or A to D

2.
The first list includes the most important people who you could
not possibly imagine getting married without (ie. best friends,
parents, siblings)

3. The second should contain Uncles, Aunts, cousins and other

close friends you’ve stayed in touch with

4. The third list should contain family friends you’ve known forever,
close co workers and other friends you keep in touch with

5. Your final list should include distant relatives, friends you may
have lost contact with and others your parents may want to invite

6. Set a target number and start cutting the numbers back from list
D until you reach your target. It’s not always easy, but it works well

Pillingers Hiring Service.

 7. GUEST LIST

For many couples the hardest part of planning a wedding is, not surprisingly, the guestlist. You might
have a short list of your closest friends to celebrate with and not many more. But chances are, your
parents, new in-laws and maybe even extended family have a few more to add to the list. Luckily, there
is a fairly simple way to get a handle on your guestlist by prioritising.

HOT It can be difficult deciding who you should and shouldn’t invite. People who you only

TIP!
see through other friends are not your friends - and don’t need an invite. If you’re
unsure about some friends who you see on a regular or semi-regular basis, consider
- would it be awkward if we didn’t invite them? - if the answer is yes, it’s probably
best to include them on your list.

SOME OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN

PLANNING YOUR GUEST LIST:

• How many people does your desired venue accommodate? This will likely dictate numbers
• What will the seating arrangements be? (Spacing, table shape and size)
• Will you include the ‘and guest’ with your single friend invitations? A good rule to go
by if you’re unsure is “no ring, no bring” or similar
• Will you invite friends’ children?
• If you’re planning on inviting an ex, remember your fiancee has absolute power to veto the
invite
• Who will be paying for the wedding? If your parents are helping foot the bill, they should have
at least a little say in some invites
• Any guests you’re unsure of, consider what kind of guest they will be - if they’re good at
sparking conversation with people they don’t know, they’ll likely be excellent for getting other
guests to mingle
• Again for guests you’re unsure of, ask yourself ‘Will I likely still be friends with this person in 5
years time?

20
 8. SAVE THE DATES & INVITATIONS

It’s time to save the date! And there are so many different ways you can do it. But before jumping
headlong into designing and posting your invites, there are a few things to think about.

CONSIDER THIS:

• Think about the overall theme of your wedding day. The invites should be a sneak peak into
the style of wedding your guests can look forward to
• If you’re having an engagement party, to save postage costs and time send out your save the
date cards with the engagement party invites
• You know you don’t have to send out paper invites. You can save cost on postage, paper, time
and be environmentally friendly by emailing your invites to your friends and family

SO HOW DO YOU GET THE PERFECT STATIONERY

SET FOR YOUR INVITES?

Think about the overall theme of your wedding day. The invites should be a sneak peak into the style
of wedding your guests can look forward to

• There are a heap of talented designers who create themed and custom stationery sets. Do a
quick search on Etsy to find some that suit your style

• Ask a friend! Most of us have a talented friend of two, so why not ring in a favour, or buy them
a bottle of their favourite red in exchange for an invite design?

• DIY - you can basically DIY anything you want these days, and wedding stationery is a pretty
easy one to do yourself. There are a heap of great websites that allow you to choose a design
(or get one custom created), and input the relevant details. Some offer printing services, and
some you can save the PDF and take to your nearest printing store to have them put on the
craft card you choose.

21
 9. CELEBRANT

There are a few things that are obviously more important than others at a wedding. Who will be
officiating the ceremony is one of these. It is important to research and choose someone who has
similar ideas and an understanding of who you are and how you want your day to go - whether that’s
a civil celebrant or a priest in a religious ceremony.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR

MARRIAGE CELEBRANT:

• What does marriage mean to them?

• What are their qualifications or registration?
• How do they like to run the ceremony?
• Can you write and say your own vows if you wish?
• Can you proof your ceremony wording before the day?
• Will the celebrant submit your application for a marriage certificate or do you need to do this?
• Does their personality, confidence and attitude match what you want from your ceremony?

For a more complete list of questions to ask your celebrant, take a look at this post on the Polka Dot
Bride blog.

22
 10. PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER

Similar to the celebrant, choosing a photographer and or videographer who really understands your
vision for your day is important. The photographer is one person who will be with you for the entire
day, so being on the same page and feeling comfortable with them is really important. Choosing a
photographer whose photos you fall in love with is also a top priority, because the photos will, after all,
be your memories from the day for many years to come.

HOW TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER

WHOSE STYLE YOU LOVE:

This is where the bridal blogs and magazines come in handy. Ask friends for recommendations of
wedding blogs and magazines they like. When looking at these, focus your attention on the real
wedding features. If there is a wedding with photos you really like, take note of the photographer and
look up their website. You’ll soon know if their style suits yours.

SOME GREAT AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL

WEDDING BLOGS AND MAGAZINES TO
START YOUR SEARCH:

HELLO MAY - Australian blog and magazine

WHITE MAGAZINE - Australian blog and magazine

POLKA DOT BRIDE - Australian blog

NOUBA - Australian blog

STYLE ME PRETTY - International blog

GREEN WEDDING SHOES - International blog

23
 WHAT PHOTOS DO YOU WANT CAPTURED
AT YOUR WEDDING?

At this point you may want to begin thinking about what photos you want on your wedding day. Wheth-
er you want to do a first sight or have the first sight at the altar. If there are any special locations at
your venue you’d like to capture in the photos, make note of these. And think about how much cov-
erage you’ll want on the day - do you want the photographer there to capture the getting ready shots
right through to the farewells? Or would you prefer them to shoot the ceremony and some newlywed
photos and nothing else? Remember, photographers are professionals who do this every weekend,
so ask them for ideas, they’re bound to have plenty!

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING

A PHOTOGRAPHER:

• What style do they like to shoot in? Do they set up photos or capture the day as it naturally
unfolds?
• Are you able to have an engagement shoot or couples shoot before the wedding day to get to
know them a little better?
• Do they charge a flat rate for whole day coverage or have different packages to choose from?

It sounds simple, but when choosing a wedding photographer,

go with the one whose photos you love. Do you want a
HOT photographer who captures the emotion and connection between
TIP! you? Do you want the photographer to capture all of the details
of the day? Look for these things in their portfolio. Of everything
on your wedding day the photos are the thing that lasts a
lifetime, so try not to choose solely on budget.

24
 11. ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC & PLAYLIST

What mood do you want at your wedding? A relaxed affair with soft acoustic or blues music playing
in the background? Or do you want it to be a big, happy celebration with a live rock or pop band that
gets everyone in the mood to dance? Or maybe you want a bit of both.

WHEN CHOOSING WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC YOU WANT AT YOUR WEDDING

YOU NEED TO CONSIDER A FEW THINGS:

• The venue
• The size of wedding
• The mood
• How you want it to vary from ceremony to reception
• Budget

Many couples will opt to have live music, whether a string quartet or acoustic duet for the ceremony
and then a DJ or playlist for the reception when they want their favourite pop songs played - and to
save a bit of money. Alternatively, you could choose to have particular songs played with a recording
at your ceremony and then have a full live band at the reception.

NOW FOR CHOOSING THE ACTUAL SONGS. HERE IS QUICK GUIDE FOR
CEREMONY SONGS:

25
 A WEDDING CEREMONY USUALLY HAS
FIVE MAIN PIECES OF MUSIC:

1. Prelude - played while your guests take their seats before the ceremony starts
2. Procession - played as the bride and her bridesmaids enter. You can choose to have one
piece of music for the bridesmaids with a pause before a new piece for the entrance of the
bride
3. Ceremony - You might choose to have a string quartet, a choir or soloist to play at different
points during the nuptials
4. Recession - the joyful music to be played at the end of the ceremony
5. Postlude - This is usually an upbeat piece of music that continues playing as guests all leave
the ceremony after the newlyweds

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING

MUSIC FOR THE CEREMONY:

• The style of ceremony you want - religious, outdoors, formal

• The setting of your ceremony
• How many songs you need to cover the ceremony - this will include the number of guests to
be seated, how long the ceremony will last, any special cultural inclusions
• Will you have a main instrument for your ceremony music?
• Run through your music run a few weeks or a month before the ceremony to give yourselves
time to add or remove any songs as needed

FINALLY, WHEN SELECTING SONGS TO PLAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY

AND THE RECEPTION, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER:

• Talk to one another about what makes a song meaningful to you - is it the lyrics, or association
with a memory that makes a song important to you?
• Give yourselves plenty of time to choose music - about 6 months is a good place to start,
giving you time to revisit the playlist before your wedding day
• Begin with your existing music collection - a perfect song is a very personal decision
• Break up the playlist into the different sections of the day to make it a little less daunting -
ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing

If you’re feeling totally trumped for where to start, this helpful article on Beaucoup gives some good
examples of songs for traditional, most popular and modern song choices.

26
 12. CATERING AND ALCOHOL

This will largely be determined by the style of wedding, venue and any cultural traditions. When
selecting a wedding venue (see section 4), one of the main selection criteria will likely be the menu. If
you choose a venue that includes catering, look at their menu options and do a tasting. If you decide
to go with an external catering company, think about the style of food, celebration and location of your
wedding.

Before doing a generic Google search for wedding catering, think about the

HOT food you want - do you want a BBQ, buffet, mexican street food or a gourmet
vegetarian feast? This will broaden your search and potentially lead you to
TIP! more interesting and suited catering options you might first have overlooked,
like that food truck you love to visit on a Friday lunchtime, or that tapas bar
you and your partner enjoy.

When selecting a catering company, think about what you see as important in a vendor:

• Quality of food
• Origin of produce
• Range of menu selections
• Dietary considerations
• Choosing a local business or bringing them in from interstate
• Your budget
• Recommendations from friends or family
• What will happen to any leftover food?

27
 WHAT ABOUT ALCOHOL?

One of the biggest expenses at a wedding can be the alcohol. Many venues include an alcohol
package with their catering, offering a choice of wine, beer and even spirits. When engaging an
external catering company, you can often have the alcohol included or opt to supply your own. It really
is a matter of taste and style. If your reception is at a winery, you’re most likely limited to their wines,
but you get the venue, catering and servers all included. If your wedding is at a private venue, you can
choose to purchase as much or as little of each tipple you like, however you may need to organise
cool boxes, ice and a drinks area yourselves.

HANDY HINTS FOR SAVING MONEY ON

YOUR WEDDING MEAL:

• Don’t have servers - let your guests serve themselves

• Opt for simple over fancy when it comes to starters and appetisers
• Supply your own alcohol to avoid overhead prices a venue charges
• Serve only wine and beer - skip the spirits
• Serve non alcoholic beverages
• Serve one signature cocktail - gin and tonic, whisky and lime, or your favourite drink to have
with your better half
• Have a family style meal where dishes are brought to the table and passed around to share
• Or don’t have a sit down dinner at all - instead have tapas style appetisers throughout the
evening
• Serve smaller slices - instead of an extravagant 5 tiered cake, have a smaller cake,
cupcakes as a cake, or a sweets bar for dessert - your guests will be none the wiser
• Have a daytime wedding - brunch and lunchtime meals are often significantly cheaper than
evening meals

For some more tips to save money on your wedding meal, take a look at this Money Crashers guide.

28
 13. THE DRESS

As a bride what is the most important part of your wedding? The dress - of course! Whatever kind of
bride you are and whatever sort of wedding you want, whether that means an extravagant fairytale
gown, or recycling your mum’s wedding dress, there are a few things you need to consider.

HOT Buy the size dress that fits now, not the size you want to be for your
wedding day. Dresses are much easier, and cheaper to take in than
TIP! to let out!

HERE ARE A LIST OF THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN FINDING

THE BEST WEDDING DRESS FOR YOU:

GET AN EARLY APPOINTMENT

Most bridal boutiques will require you to make an appointment. Try to get the first appointment of the
day and only visit two boutiques in a day. The shop sales assistants will be fresh and focused and you
won’t be overwhelmed from seeing too many dresses in one day.

HOT The same rule applies for when you start looking for your dress.
Keep in mind that a wedding dress can take 6-8 months to make and
TIP! up to 2 months to alter, so give yourself time to avoid stress.

29
 DOCUMENT YOUR FAVOURITE DRESSES

If you can, take a photo of a dress when you try it on. Mirrors are designed to sell dresses, photos
don’t lie. Unfortunately, most bridal boutiques don’t allow you to take photos of dresses you try on -
only the one you purchase. If this is the case take a notebook and get your bridesmaid or mum to
write notes describing each so you can remember them later.

HOT Don’t go with a trend. Your wedding dress will be present in your
wedding photos for a lifetime, so think about whether you’d be
TIP! happy to wear the same dress in 10 years time.

GIVE THE DRESS A CHANCE

Dresses look different on hangers to on a body - so even if you don’t think it looks fantastic on the
hanger, try on a few different dresses. You never know, the one that looked unimpressive on the rack
might transform into the one when you slip it on.

Wedding dress sizes aren’t always the same as high street clothing
HOT sizes. Some designers sizes are tiny, others large. Don’t focus on

TIP! the size of the dress, focus on the fit. Again, don’t buy a smaller size
because you plan to lose weight, buy the one that fits now.

DON’T TAKE TOO MANY PEOPLE

Don’t bring too many people along when you go dress shopping - it can make it more stressful than it
needs to be. Choose a couple of friends, mum or your sister whose judgement you can trust and who
know your taste well.

30
 WEAR YOUR BEST LINGERIE

Before you go dress shopping, head to a department store or lingerie store and have a proper bra
fitting. When trying on dresses, you’ll spend a fair amount of time in your underwear. So wearing a
nice underwear set will make you feel beautiful, putting you in the right mindset to try on dresses.

FOCUS ON FINDING THE BEST SILHOUETTE

FOR YOUR BODY

As you probably already know, there are certain dress shapes that do and don’t suit your body type.
Finding a dress that fits your body shape will not only make you look a million dollars, chances are it’ll
be more comfortable so you’ll also feel like a princess.

31
 DON’T JUST STAND THERE, BUST A MOVE

You want your dress to look spectacular, but even more importantly, can you move in it? Your wedding
dress needs to be comfortable enough for you to take part in any activities you have planned. If you
can’t eat or dance, let alone sit down in it, is it really your dream gown?

BUDGET

When considering the budget for your dress, don’t forget to include any accessories (veil, headpiece),
alterations, steaming and even shoes to be included in this total.

ACCESSORIZE

If you have a special necklace or earrings that you know you want to wear, be sure to take these
along to your dress fittings - making sure they match the dress you choose.

GET A GUARANTEE

Prior to paying your deposit, ensure all of the details are correct and in writing. Double check the
designer, manufacturer, style number, colour and size. Also double check the estimated time the dress
will take to be made, and an approximate cost for alterations.

HOW MANY FITTINGS DO YOU NEED?

Once your dress has been made you’ll need a couple of fittings to ensure it fits like a glove.

The first fitting is usually about two months before your wedding day. Make sure you wear your
undergarments and perhaps do your hair similar to how you will have it on the day. This fitting exists to
make sure you can move freely (lift your arms, sit down) and to plan any alterations if necessary.

The final fitting, usually a week or two out, is when you should take one of your bridesmaids, mother,
or someone who will be helping you into your dress, so they can learn how to tie it up on the day.

33
HOT
TIP!

If, like many brides, you find the idea of spending money on a dress you’ll wear
once a little daunting, you’re not alone. There are a host of websites dedicated
to wedding gown hire and second hand wedding dresses. Take a look at these
Australian sites:

The barefaced bride Savvy Brides I Do Gowns

34
 14. RINGS

Just as your photos will be the lasting memories of your day, your engagement and wedding ring will
be with you for the rest of your life. Some couples choose matching wedding bands, while other like
to make each other’s ring themselves for a more personal touch. But the world of engagement and
wedding rings can be a complicated place.

THE ENGAGEMENT RING

Whether your beau chooses the ring himself and presents it to you, or you select a style together, it’s
important to understand what the jeweller is talking about when he runs you through a princess or
cushion cut ring.

WEDDING RING MATCHES

How your wedding and engagement ring fit together is important, seeing you’ll be wearing them
together. This will also depend on the size and shape of your engagement ring. Some engagement
and wedding rings can be purchased as a set, fitting together perfectly. Others, you will need to try a
couple of different style wedding bands to find the one that fits with your engagement ring best.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN DECIDING ON THE RIGHT

WEDDING RINGS FOR YOU:

• Add a personal touch by making your own or each others rings

• What material do you wear most? Silver, white gold, rose gold or yellow gold - select the one
that matches most of your existing jewellery
• Ensure to choose a ring that matches your lifestyle - if you’re not comfortable walking around
with a $16k ring on your finger then don’t choose that one
• Can you wear your wedding ring whilst at work? Will different styles be more suitable?
• Will you wear your rings everyday?

35
• Serve one signature cocktail - gin and tonic, whisky and lime, or your favourite drink to have
with your better half
• Have a family style meal where dishes are brought to the table and passed around to share
• Or don’t have a sit down dinner at all - instead have tapas style appetisers throughout the
evening
• Serve smaller slices - instead of an extravagant 5 tiered cake, have a smaller cake, cupcakes
as a cake, or a sweets bar for dessert - your guests will be none the wiser
• Have a daytime wedding - brunch and lunchtime meals are often significantly cheaper than
evening meals

36
 15. WEDDING REGISTER

Did you know that you don’t actually have to have a wedding register? Despite what your mother or
mother-in-law to-be may say, a gift registry is no longer an absolute requirement. Many couples live
together before tying the knot these days, often making a wedding register - traditionally used to kit
out the couple’s new home - redundant. The alternative is, of course, the wishing well.

IF YOU’D PREFER TO HAVE A WISHING WELL,

ASKING YOUR GUESTS FOR MONEY INSTEAD OF GIFTS,
HERE ARE A COUPLE OF TIPS TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS
AND NOT STEP ON ANY TOES.

• Tell your guests how you will use the money - this gives them an incentive if you’re saving
for a house or honeymoon together for example
• Explain it in the card - tell your guests your wishes in a sweet way, perhaps with a poem

THERE ARE, HOWEVER, SOME REASONS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER

HAVING A REGISTER:

• It makes it easy on your guests - they’re going to get you a gift either way, and a register
makes it easy to know what to get
• It makes it easy on you - if you make a list of things you might actually like, chances are
you’ll end up with more things you like than things you don’t like or need

If you do want to have a register but don’t necessarily need a whole lot of things think of it as an
opportunity to upgrade some items and to get some more useful and fun things.

39
 CLEVER WISHING WELL ITEMS INCLUDE:

• Board games
• A tent or camping gear
• Travel guidebooks
• Cookbooks
• A picnic blanket or set

HOT
TIP! If you really don’t need or want anything, why not pay it
forward by registering with a charity and asking your guests
to donate on your behalf.

40
 16. FLORIST

How to choose the perfect bridal bouquet? There are so many things to consider - the dress, the
venue decorations, your fiance’s outfit - when choosing the right flowers to carry on your wedding day.
Luckily, florists are professionals who do this everyday, and usually have an excellent eye for selecting
a bunch that perfectly suits you.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR FLOWERS:

THE DRESS

Make sure you’ve picked your dress before your bouquet. Take a picture of your dress to show the
florist so they can design a bouquet that fits in. The bouquet shouldn’t clash with the dress shape,
frame or colour. The most important thing is that your bouquet works with your dress. See section 13
for more on the dress.

IN SEASON

Always choose flowers that are in season. This ensures you’ll have fresh, vibrant flowers, and you’ll
likely save money as there are an abundance available.

SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE BOUQUET

It’s important to consider that the size and shape of your bouquet suits your body shape and size. As
a rule of thumb, make sure your bouquet is at least an inch narrower than your hips. If it’s too small it
will make your hips look bigger, but if too large, it will drown you out. Also, consider the height of your
husband - if he’s shorter or the same height as you, ensure your bouquet doesn’t elongate you in
any way.

41
 COMFORTABLE

When choosing the size and shape of your bouquet, make sure you’ll be comfortable - you will be
carrying it around all day after all. Make sure it’s fairly easy to hold and isn’t too heavy.

HOT Don’t forget to talk to your florist about using flower

TIP! arrangements to decorate your ceremony or reception venues,
accents for the groomsmen and any other special guests like
the mothers of the bride and groom. Often if you choose a
package deal your florist can give you a better price.

42
 17. CEREMONY & RECEPTION DECORATIONS

Now that you’ve got your venue booked, and your dress and bouquet design chosen, it’s time to think
about decorations. Whether you choose to DIY the decorations or engage a vendor to do it for you,
developing a vision for your setting is important.

THE KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECORATING

YOUR VENUE

ONE LOCATION OR TWO?

If your ceremony and reception will be at different locations, or all in the same place, this will
influence your decorating style. Having two locations means you can simply separate the ceremony
and reception areas, in style and space. Opting for one location over two, you can eliminate travel
time and expenses (see section 19), but might want to consider using decorations to separate the
ceremony and reception areas. Think about colours lighting or strategic pieces of furniture to set
the scene.

OUTDOORS OR INDOORS?

Selecting a venue will, of course, have a huge influence over your decorating style. If the venue is an
established location, with a distinct charm about it, you may need little or no decorations at all. If on
the other hand, your wedding is an outdoor one, or in a marquee, you have a blank canvass, ready
to bring your vision to life. husband - if he’s shorter or the same height as you, ensure your bouquet
doesn’t elongate you in any way.

44
 HOT
If you want the best of both worlds, consider having a marquee. You can
TIP! choose a full or partial clear ceiling and walls to make the most of the
outdoors while staying protected. Don’t forget you can bring the space to life
with elegant ceiling drapes, fairy lights and coloured accents.

SPACE TO MOVE AROUND?

One of the most important things to think about for your wedding is the seating plan. Not only do
you need to consider who knows who, and who might get along with who - think about yourselves.
We don’t mean where you will be seated, but will you have room to move around and say hello to
everyone at your wedding? As the newlyweds, you will need to at least say hello to everyone at your
wedding, and if you’re planning to do this at the reception, leaving enough space to do so is important.

HOT
TIP! Don’t forget to think about your elderly guests and children. It’s usually best to
position elderly guests close to the door, where it’s easy for them to get in and
out. And try to place children where there’s some extra space for them to play.
Even including a little activities box to keep them happy is a great idea.

To give you some starting inspiration, take a look at this WEDDING DECORATION IDEAS
page on Pinterest.

45
 18. TRANSPORT - BRIDAL PARTY/GUESTS

First things first, are you going to have your ceremony and reception nearby, far away or all in the one
location (see section 4 for more on the venue)? This will determine what transport and how much
of it you’re going to need. If your wedding ceremony and reception are both going to be in the middle
of the city, you probably only need to think about bridal party cars (you might not even need these!)
Whereas if you’re planning on a country wedding, transporting your guests from in town might be
necessary.

While it is not always the responsibility of the bride and groom to organise transport for their guests,
as many are happy to drive, or it is their decision how they get there and back home again. If you’re
having a country wedding many couples organise a bus leaving from a central place in town at a
specified time, which takes their guests to the wedding location, and again back into town at the end
of the night. Look at local bus hire companies for specials and ask around for recommendations.

HOT
TIP! Consider having your ceremony and reception in the one location - you will save
on transport costs, logistics and the time needed to travel between the two.

ASK YOURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS WHEN

THINKING ABOUT TRANSPORT

• How far away from the nearest town is the wedding?

• Do most of your guests live locally, or have they travelled for the wedding?
• How close together are the ceremony and reception?
• How will the bridal party get to the ceremony, to a photo location and then the reception?

46
 19. TIMELINE OF THE DAY

WHAT TIME SHOULD YOUR WEDDING START?

This will depend on a few different factors. The time of year, your budget (daytime weddings are
usually cheaper than evening weddings) and the style of celebration (do you want an afternoon tea
wedding, or a sit down dinner?) will all play a major part. But there are a few things you may not have
considered, which will help you to plan out your day a little better.

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE

THOUGHT ABOUT

SPEAK TO VENDORS

Chat to your hair and makeup artists, photographers, celebrant and wedding planner to determine
how much time each thing is likely to take. They are professionals who have done this many times
before, so they will likely have a good idea of how long things should or need to take.

ADD A BUFFER TO EACH DRIVE TIME

If it usually takes 20 minutes to drive from where you’re taking photos to the reception, allow for extra
time. The last thing you want is to be an hour late to your reception thanks to bad traffic!

CONSIDER THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

The photos will be your memories of the day for many years to come, so think about how you want
these to look. Chat to your photographers about the style of photos you’re after and the best time of
day to capture these. If you’re after a golden glow and soft light, having your wedding photos at mid-

47
day when the sun is at its harshest is probably not a great idea. Your photographer will be able to
advise you the best time to capture the light you want. Then you might want to plan your ceremony
and reception timing around this.

HOT
TIP! Don’t forget to send the timeline of the day to your vendors,
so everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises
on the day.

48
 20. WEDDING REHEARSAL & REHEARSAL DINNER?

WHAT EXACTLY IS A REHEARSAL DINNER?

The purpose of a rehearsal dinner is to do a run through rehearsal of the wedding the day before
it actually happens. It is also a chance for the bridal party to get to know one another if they do not
already. It is also a chance for the bride and groom to thank all of the people who have helped them
out planning the wedding.

Traditionally, the rehearsal dinner has taken the form of a formal, sit-down dinner. You do not have to
do this however. The rehearsal dinner was typically paid for by the groom’s parents. Today, however,
many couples today share the cost of the wedding with their parents (or pay for it entirely themselves).
And having a formal rehearsal dinner can add a substantial amount onto the budget.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO INSTEAD?

If you are going to have a rehearsal the day before the wedding, it can be a quick 10 minute affair
before the groomsmen and bride and her bridesmaids head off to enjoy some time together. If you
choose not to have a rehearsal at all (which is completely up to the couple), you don’t need to do
anything at all.

To make the most of your wedding celebrations, and to spend time with guests who may have
travelled a long way for the wedding, an alternative is to have a casual dinner or party the evening
before the wedding with close family and friends. It allows the couple to spend some quality time with
and thank the people who have helped them bring their wedding planning to life.

Regardless of whether or not you have a rehearsal with the bridal party the

HOT day before the wedding, you and your fiancé should do a quick run through
of the ceremony a couple of weeks before the big day. This gives you a
TIP! chance to make sure the music fits, and if you have any questions for the
celebrant there is plenty of time to address them.

50
 21. CAKE

To cake or not to cake? The tradition of cutting a wedding cake has been around for centuries, starting
in Roman times when the groom would actually break the cake over his new bride’s head for good
luck. In modern times, the couple cut through to the bottom of the cake, symbolising the continuity
of their relationship. Despite the history and good fortune of a wedding cake, some couples today
choose not to have a cake at all. Modern alternatives include a lolly bar, desserts or a signature
dessert cocktail.

IF YOU DO DECIDE TO TAKE THE CAKE, HERE ARE A FEW

THINGS TO GET YOU STARTED:

START YOUR SEARCH ONLINE

One of the best places to start looking for a wedding cake baker is, of course, the internet. Many local
cake bakers will have a website, and be sure to check out local and wedding directories. Try these
wedding blogs for some inspiration:

HELLO MAY - Australian blog and magazine

WHITE MAGAZINE - Australian blog and magazine

POLKA DOT BRIDE - Australian blog

NOUBA - Australian blog

STYLE ME PRETTY - International blog

GREEN WEDDING SHOES - International blog

51
 HOT
TIP! If a bakery’s cake photos are out of date, their cakes probably are, too.

ASK AROUND

Ask your friends for any bakery recommendations, as you might find some excellent local bakers
don’t have a huge online or social media presence. Recently married couples will always have
recommendations around who to choose and who not to.

TASTE

Simple flavours like vanilla and chocolate can taste totally different from one bakery to the next. Don’t
just assume you know what you’ll get, do a taste test!

MAKE IT MATCH

When meeting with your cake designer, be sure to take along photos of your dress and any
decoration or theme ideas you already have. This way the baker can come up with a design that suits
rather than sticking out like a sore thumb.

TOP IT OFF

In doing your research, you’ll probably spot some trends that can give you inspiration. Think cupcakes
over a traditional tiered cake, a sweets bar and interesting cake toppers.

HOT
TIP! If you’re feeling creative, take a look at this helpful post from Hooray! magazine
with some DIY cake topper ideas and instructions.

52
 22. OTHER OUTFITS - GROOM, BRIDESMAIDS, SHOES ETC

The most important person on your wedding day, aside from the bride, is, of course the groom. You
spend months looking for the perfect dress, so why not spend as much time focused on the groom’s
outfit? If you’re having a vintage wedding, make sure he is dressed in a dapper suit and bowtie that
suits the theme. If you’re having a beach wedding and the bride is wearing soleless sandles, don’t
make your groom wear black laceups!

OUR TOP TIPS FOR STYLING YOUR GROOM:

• Fit with the style of your wedding - don’t forget about his outfit when you’re focusing on
styling the venue
• Buy rather than rent - an ill-fitting suit leaves a lot to be desired. Instead have your fiancé
properly measured and fitted, whether he’s wearing a tux or chinos and a shirt
• Have the suit tailored to fit your fiancé perfectly. It will last a lifetime and look fantastic
• Your groom needs to be true to his style - whether than means wearing his favourite DC
sneakers, suspenders, bright socks, a bow tie or no tie at all
• Add stylish cuff links - these can even be given to the groomsmen as gifts

Next in line of importance are the bridesmaids and groomsmen. When searching for outfit inspiration
and styling your groom, be sure to consider how the groomsmen will look. Do you want the
groomsmen to be dressed the same as the groom, or a slight variation with different coloured shirts,
ties or vests? And don’t forget to consider the groomsmen’s outfits when searching for the perfect
bridesmaids dresses.

SOME ADVICE FOR FINDING THE PERFECT BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES:

• Decide what look you’re going for with some online research before you go shopping, or it can
get overwhelming

53
• Decide what look you’re going for with some online research before you go shopping, or it can
get overwhelming
• Start shopping early in order to make the most of sales periods and get the best deal
• Decide on your budget and share it with your bridesmaids so that you’re all on the same page
• If you have a large bridal party, start the search with your maid of honour and mother only
before bringing the whole party along to try the chosen dresses
• Think about the skin tone of your bridesmaids when selecting a colour - you don’t want your
bridesmaids to look washed out in the photos
• Be flexible, allowing your bridesmaids input into the styles that suit them, but remember it’s
your day, so you have the final say

Last, but definitely not least, don’t forget about your undergarments! You not only want to feel beautiful
on your wedding day, but you want to be prepared. Wearing a white dress, perhaps strapless or open
backed, means that you can’t just pull on any old underwear. Be sure to get a proper bra fitting at
a department store and to purchase comfortable, suitable underwear. You want to be wearing nice
underwear, but having straps and visible underpants lines is more important.
For more on the dress, see section 13.

54
 23. HAIR & MAKEUP

The key to good wedding makeup is to look like yourself, only better. Some brides think that they need
to wear a huge amount of makeup on their wedding day, even if they wear minimal makeup day to
day. The danger in doing this is you may end up looking like a different version of yourself, rather than
an enhanced version. Whether you choose to DIY or get your sister to do your makeup, or you choose
to hire a professional makeup artist, remember to stay true to who you are and your personal style.

BEFORE JUMPING IN TO SMOKEY EYES AND FUCHSIA LIPS,

CONSIDER THESE THINGS:

• If you don’t wear a lot of makeup day to day, don’t go all out on your wedding day, and if you
do, stick to it.
• Remember bridal makeup needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of
the dress.
• Your makeup needs to also fit in nicely with your flowers - especially if you are having a bright
bouquet with strong colours, ensure your makeup doesn’t clash with it.
• Have a practice run a couple of weeks before to ensure you (or whoever is doing the makeup)
know how to get the look you’re after.
• Choose to focus on your eyes or your mouth - not both.
• Be wary of fake tan - just like makeup, as if you don’t use it regularly you may risk looking
orange rather than golden brown.

For some excellent pointers on wedding makeup, read this post from beauty expert Julyne Derrick on
About Style.

55
 24. MARRIAGE LICENSE

In all of the excitement organising a wedding, be sure not to forget the legal side of the ceremony. If
you’re getting married in Australia, the priest or celebrant can help arrange the paperwork for you to
sign on the day of your ceremony. If you’re getting married abroad, be sure to know what exactly you
need to do in order to make the ceremony official and recognised in Australia.

In Australia, marriage falls under state and territory legislation, so you will need to look at each state’s
individual rules and requirements.

NSW MARRIAGE APPLICATION

QUEENSLAND MARRIAGE APPLICATION

VICTORIA MARRIAGE APPLICATION

TASMANIA MARRIAGE APPLICATION

ACT MARRIAGE APPLICATION

SOUTH AUSTRALIA MARRIAGE APPLICATION

WESTERN AUSTRALIA MARRIAGE APPLICATION

NORTHERN TERRITORY MARRIAGE APPLICATION

If tying the knot overseas, be sure to take a look at the Australian government information on what is
required, as marrying in different countries may require different paperwork and authorisation. See
this information on general requirements for getting married overseas.

56
 25.VOWS

Wedding vows are what you say to make your marriage official. The vows you say to your partner
when tying the knot may be lines from a religious script, a traditional verse, or they might be words
you wrote yourselves. The type of ceremony you choose to have (religious or not) will play a big part
in the vows you say. Be sure to talk to your celebrant about the vows and your options for making
them unique to you (see section 9 for more on the celebrant).

IF YOU DO WANT TO WRITE YOUR OWN VOWS, HERE IS SOME

FOOD FOR THOUGHT TO GET YOU STARTED:

• Decide together if it’s really what you want to do or not.

• Discuss it with your celebrant - they may have some resources to help you find the right words
for you.
• Set a date to have them written by - you don’t need the stress of writing them the night before
the wedding!
• Stick to a structure - whether you’re going to show each other your vows before the wedding
or not, it’s best to keep them in a similar format.
• Do your research - look at traditional religious vows from different faiths, and read poems and
books to find something that suits you.
• Remember that your vows don’t need to be complicated, they just need to show what you
mean to each other.

For some more inspiration and sound advice on writing your own vows, read this article by Megan
Rossman via A Practical Wedding.

57
 26. SPEECHES & READINGS

Do you have a favourite poem you’d like read at your wedding? Or perhaps a friend you’d love to have
speak? Wedding speeches aren’t just about the father of the bride and the best man’s speech. In
both religious and civil ceremonies today, couples are increasingly including meaningful readings and
speeches from their loved ones.

WHAT YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

• Will you have an MC? If so, who?

• Who you might like to do a reading or make a speech, and why
• Any important, meaningful readings you’d like included
• Perhaps you’d like your siblings or good friends to give some advice on marriage
• Do you want specifically religious or non-religious readings?

In the search for wedding readings, it is easy to get lost in the similarity of the most popular chosen
readings. If traditional isn’t necessarily your style, try starting your search with this Buzzfeed article of
unique wedding readings from books.

58
 27. GIFTS

When planning a wedding, there seem to be an endless list of things to organise, do and purchase.
One of the final, but not unimportant things to think about are gifts. There are a few people that you
should send a thank you gift to, as well as those wedding favours.

GIFT IDEAS THE BRIDE AND GROOM USUALLY

GIVE AT THEIR WEDDING:

• A gift from the groom to his bride on the morning of the wedding. This is usually accompanied
by a note, champagne, flowers or a simple piece of jewellery.
• A gift to the groom from his bride to be - this could be anything from unique cufflinks to a box
with 10 notes of why you love him inside.
• Gifts to the bridesmaids and groomsmen to say thankyou.
• Small gifts to show appreciation of anyone who has helped make the wedding happen.
• Wedding favours. For unique favour ideas that your guests will actually want, take a look at
this extensive list compiled by Buzzfeed.

59
 28. LAST MINUTE

By now you’re probably well aware that planning a wedding can be stressful. The last thing you want
to be doing is organising payments to vendors and chasing up confirmations or details.

HERE IS A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO CONFIRM OR

FOLLOW UP IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP
TO THE WEDDING

• Send the timeline of the day to all of your vendors who need it (wedding planner, hair and
makeup, photographers, celebrant, venue etc.)
• Make and confirm final payments to vendors
• Confirm bookings for venue, catering, cake, flowers, celebrant, transport etc.
• Final dress fitting and collection
• Collect the rings
• Hair and makeup trial
• Finish all DIY projects
• Confirm who is in charge of organising what - DIY decorations, set up, collecting the cake etc.
• Ask your bridesmaids or your mum to organise food and refreshments for before the ceremony
• Book and confirm all beauty appointments such as manicure, pedicure, hair cut, waxing,
tanning etc.

RESOURCES

The style of wedding you want and the things that are important to you and your partner will be
different from the next couple. Luckily, there are a host of unique and focused resources available at
your disposal. Here are some we highly recommend:

60
 ECO BRIDES MAGAZINE

Eco Brides is for the eco conscious bride who cares about where the leftover food will end up, and
wants to avoid unnecessary waste from her wedding in every aspect.

VINTAGE BRIDES MAGAZINE

This magazine and blog is focused on, you guessed it, vintage weddings! With advice and insight
on where to get that perfect preloved wedding gown to how to decorate your ceremony in vintage
heaven, this is the place to go first.

NOUBA WEDDING BLOG

Nouba is a boutique Australian wedding blog with a focus on creative, quirky weddings. For all of the
DIY and creative inspiration you need, head here.

HELLO MAY

This is an Australian blog and magazine that aims to connect talented wedding vendors with couples
tying the knot. Rather than giving tips for planning your day, they showcase real weddings, styled
shoots and vendor collections.

WHITE MAGAZINE

This is an Australian blog and magazine that focuses not only on the wedding day, but creating a
beautiful marriage for life. It showcases beautiful real weddings, vendors and stories and advice for a
happy married life.

POLKA DOT BRIDE

This is an Australian blog with a great deal of advice for planning everything from your engagement
party and wedding outfit to the honeymoon. You can also read vendor profiles and see real wedding
inspiration.

61
 STYLE ME PRETTY

This is an international blog that showcases emerging and established vendors, real wedding and DIY
inspiration, and expert tips.

GREEN WEDDING SHOES

This USA based blog has beautiful real weddings, inspiration shoots, DIY ideas, honeymoon
inspiration and vendor listings.

62