190 | Sunshine Coast Brides
If he didn’t propose with a ring, go diamond shopping.
Get to know the 4 C’s: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat.
Set a date and a budget. Meet with parents to discuss their involvement.
Start looking at ceremony and reception venues to suit your tastes.
If you are choosing an outdoor venue, consider parking, noise, power,
access and facilities.
Consider hiring a wedding planner!
Decide on the formality of your day and book ceremony venue/church and
reception venues.
If you are intending to marry on one of the Sunshine Coast beachfronts,
consider tide and sunset times and make sure you book your venue with the
local Council.
Visit photography & video studios and book as soon as possible to avoid
disappointment.
Choose your bridal party and ask them if they would like to be involved.
Start visiting gown designers to get an idea of the styles and shapes that
suit you.
Agree on the colour scheme and the style of your wedding. Start collecting
images that refl ect this style: invitations, fl orals, table settings and fabrics
that work together.
Order your gown. If you have chosen a made-to-measure gown, confi rm
your style and book the designer with a deposit.
Often colour schemes tie in with bridesmaid dresses (although this isn’t
a fi xed rule), so go shopping with your girls to fi nd out what they feel
comfortable in. Order bridesmaid dresses.
Write and agree on your guest list and send out save-the-dates either by
email or in the post.
Design wedding invitations and stationery – consider the items best done by
a professional and then do the rest DIY.
Negotiate accommodation options for interstate and overseas guests and
include within your invitation notes.
Review transport options. On the Sunshine Coast there are many alternatives
whether you are looking to arrive by gondola, classic car or limousine.
Meet with fl orists to discuss fl oral designs. Check the seasonality of your
favourite fl owers.
Choose the cake design and fl avour to match your tastes.
Consider a wedding decorator to design your ceremony and reception styling.
Decide on what type of entertainment you want at the ceremony and
reception. Organise PA systems for outdoor ceremonies, particularly if you
have a large congregation.
Choose your wedding gift registry, or perhaps a wishing well to save for that
honeymoon or fi rst home. There are some great online registries available
saving you and your guests’ time.
Start your beauty, fi tness and health regime.
Congratulations! You now have your date, locations, style and themes
complete, so go ahead and send the invitations!
Send your invitations out within three months of the wedding, earlier if you
have a number of interstate or overseas guests. Don’t forget to put gift
registry details in with the invites.
Book a hair stylist and make-up artist.
START EARLY
The fun begins as soon as you’re
engaged. Now that he’s done the
romantic part and asked for your hand in
marriage, take the plunge and announce
your engagement to the world!
ONCE YOU HAVE SET THE DATE
You can now start booking those
suppliers whose diaries fi ll up six or
twelve months in advance.
Now is also the time to start looking for
that perfect gown.
6-12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
Create your wedding style guide and
choose your colour palettes.
Don’t forget to send save-the-dates so
international and interstate guests can
take advantage of early bird fares.
3-6 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
Now that you have your wedding style
guide complete, it’s time to send out the
Essential Planning Checklist
Hot tip
Gown shopping is meant
to be fun. Call designers
beforehand, book no more
than four appointments in the
day, and organise a girly
lunch to break them up. Don’t
forget to take a pair of heels,
white or nude underwear, a
hair clip to change your
hairstyle and a friend who’s
opinion you trust!
Sunshine Coast Brides | 191
invitations and confi rm all the little
details with suppliers. This is also the
time you should make wet weather
plans if you intend holding your
ceremony outdoors.
8-12 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR
WEDDING
Your suppliers are booked, briefed
and ready to go, so it is time for your
attention to return to more personal
issues like your gown, accessories and
beauty regime.
2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR WEDDING
Confi rm your bookings and agree on
the table seating plan.
LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE YOUR
WEDDING
Rehearse, relax and enjoy time with
friends and family.
Book and pay deposits on your fl orist, caterer, cake designer, entertainment
and transport.
Choose your wedding rings.
Choose your ceremony words and if you are having a church wedding,
compile your Order of Service and ask friends/family to be readers.
Go groomsmen shopping – try out alternative hire/buy options.
Collect ideas for your honeymoon & make initial bookings.
Plan your bucks and hens nights.
Have your priest or celebrant fi le the Notice of Intended Marriage.
Have your fi nal fi ttings for your dress.
Ensure the bridesmaid dresses are fi tted and hemmed.
Buy shoes, veil and underwear.
Have a facial and body wrap to deeply moisturise the skin.
Trial your make-up and hair style.
Book in regular manicures and pedicures.
Finalise guest list and rsvps. Send invitations to second tier guests if you
have room.
Book your honeymoon suite.
Agree on songs for the Aisle, Signing of the Registry, Recessional, and First
Dance.
Check passports and visas. If you intend changing to your married name,
make sure you apply to the Birth, Deaths and Marriages for an offi cial extract
of your Marriage Certifi cate.
Finalise numbers and seating plan with venue. Ask them to arrange gift and
cake tables.
Organise place cards and bonbonniere. Try something unique for
bonbonniere. Capture the fl oral essence of your day in individual crystal
perfume decanters. Personal notes to each guest are a great way of saying
thank you to everyone.
Arrange a beautiful cake knife.
Confi rm your bookings with suppliers, pay fi nal invoices and let them know
delivery and pick-up addresses.
Pick up wedding rings.
Groomsmen to have haircuts.
Finalise itinerary for your honeymoon, pick up tickets and arrange travel insurance.
Think creatively on how you can incorporate something old, new, borrowed
and blue into your wedding.
Pick up all attire and hang or lay fl at, as per designer’s instructions.
Start writing your speech.
Rehearse at ceremony site.
Write order of events and distribute to bridal party and close family.
Have your engagement ring cleaned.
Buy wedding gifts for your bridal party.
Take ushers, readers and speakers through their timings.
Arrange to have dresses and suits steamed and pressed.
Have a relaxation massage.
Catch up with family and friends.
Have good night’s rest before the big day.
Pack for your honeymoon and arrange airport transfers.
On the day, have a good breakfast, take a deep breath and enjoy it!
YOU’VE JUST GOT ENGAGED, NOW WHERE DO YOU START? THE WEDDING
PLANNING PROCESS CAN BE DAUNTING, BUT WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS
YOU’LL FIND IT EASY TO MANAGE YOUR TIME. HAVE FUN! WORDS BY TRUDY
CROAD, EVENTS BY DESIGN.
Hot tip
Don’t feel you have to stick
to the rules when planning
your seating arrangements.
Including your bridal party’s
spouses on your table is a
lovely way of making them
feel part of the occasion.