In Which Order Should I Book My Wedding Vendors in Australia?

Booking your wedding vendors can seem like a daunting task, but with careful planning and organisation you can make the process go smoothly and have fun whilst doing it. First things first, choose a wedding date! Taking into consideration what sort of a dream day you want and how many guests will be on the guest list will help you determine how much time you need for the planning process. If you're planning on having a destination wedding, give your guests (and you and your future spouse) time to make travel arrangements to ensure everyone is able to secure time off work and save some hard earned cash for the main event! Read on for a suggested order in which you could book your wedding vendors and wedding services for your big day.

Wedding planner

If you've decided to hire a professional wedding planner, this should be your first step. Wedding planners are there to help the bride and groom make their dream wedding plans a reality and bring to life their wedding vision. They will be able to guide you through the rest of the planning process, they can help you make informed decisions about your other vendors and often make recommendations on trusted vendors that they have worked with before. They are also brilliant at managing budgets and of course making sure that everything runs smoothly and goes perfectly to plan on the day itself.

Wedding venue

Whether you're hiring a wedding planner or not, your wedding venue is the natural place to start when it comes to booking wedding vendors in Australia. Popular venues can get booked up years in advance, so it's best to secure your date as soon as possible. Wedding venues range massively from a cool rustic barn to a grand stately home so it really depends on the size of your wedding, your budget, and the style of wedding you want. If you're dead set on a particular venue ensure you're not getting swept away and that it's right practically for your big day. Take into consideration if your wedding location will suit out of town guests and if there is enough transport and accommodation to suit everyone. Budget permitting, a wedding stylist can make a huge difference and really transform a space. So depending on the wedding reception venue and how much decor it needs, a stylist will be able to bring your theme to life in the way you want it, without you having to worry about the stress of doing it yourself. Wedding florists are often able to help with decorating the venue too so be sure to utilise their expertise here if needed. At this point, having secured the necessary vendors for the above big ticket items you should start thinking about your wedding website. Say I do offer a one stop shop for going digital so you can build a fully customisable website, send save the date cards, wedding invitations with digital RSVPs and thank you cards all from one easy to use platform - pretty handy hey!

Caterer

Once you have your venue booked, it's time to start thinking about catering. You may have the option to use the venue's in-house caterer or bring in an outside catering company. When you're viewing your venue there's a lot to think about so don't be afraid to arrange another viewing or have a call to double check on details such as whether the venue has its own kitchen, if there are glasses or crockery available to use or whether these are something you need to organise through your chosen caterer.

Celebrant or officiant

If you are having a religious ceremony, contact your local priest to perform your service. If you want a civil ceremony, you need to find a registered wedding officiant who can perform your ceremony legally in Australia. Choosing a marriage celebrant that makes you feel comfortable and suits the tone of your wedding is important. We have a directory bursting with funny, heartwarming and entertaining Australian celebrants who all bring something unique to the proceedings.

Photographer / videographer

Your wedding photos and videos are an everlasting memory of your special day, so it's important to find a wedding photographer/videographer whose style you love and who will be able to capture those all important moments. Popular photographers and videographers can book up months in advance, so make sure to secure your preferred vendor early. A wedding video is a great way to bring your wedding to life when you're looking back and reminiscing on your special day.

Florist

Flowers can add a beautiful touch to your wedding day, so it's important to find a wedding florist who can create the perfect flower arrangements for your wedding. Consider your colour scheme, preferred style and seasonality when choosing a florist for your big day. From bouquets to buttonholes, floral backdrops to table centrepieces; your flowers will ultimately bring your day to life and create a beautiful running theme throughout the celebrations.

Wedding cake designer

Depending on what you want, some luxury wedding cakes can be incredibly elaborate creations and will therefore need to be ordered several weeks or even months in advance, depending on the complexity of the cake design. Plan ahead and don’t leave ordering a wedding cake until the last minute. You will only end up disappointed. Some (brave) brides-to-be make their own cakes or have a family member or close friend to make it for them. This will of course save money but it can be a lot of responsibility for your wedding guest so ensure either you / they practise and have a backup just in case things don't go to plan on the day!

Entertainment

Whether you want a live band or a wedding DJ, entertainment is an important aspect of any wedding reception. Live music is often more memorable than a DJ, as it's a bit more personal and people will remember the energy of the dance floor. Popular wedding entertainment, live music and wedding bands in particular are in high demand, so make sure to book early, and if you have any special requests ensure you let them know asap so that they have time to practise and prepare.

The dress, hair and makeup

Your wedding dress of course can be sourced at any time but ensure you leave yourself time for a dress fitting a week or so before the wedding just to make sure it fits perfectly. Scheduling appointments for dress shops way ahead of the big day will help you see a wide variety of dresses and allow you to see what different stores are offering. Once you've decided on your dream dress you should have a clearer vision of your overall vibe, which extends to your bridesmaid dresses. Take into consideration your bridal party’s style preference, budget and ensure you're all on the same page with decisions, after all they are the ones who will be wearing it on the day and you will want them to be as comfortable and happy as possible. Of course, you'll want to look your best on your wedding day, so finding a hair and makeup artist should also be a priority. Most brides schedule a trial before their wedding day to ensure they're happy and confident with the look - that’s one less thing to worry about on the wedding morning!

Wedding transport

If you're planning on hiring transportation for your wedding day, such as a limousine or vintage car, it's best to book this nice and early. Don't forget the less glamorous side of logistics like arranging a shuttle bus to get guests from a to b if your wedding ceremony and reception are in different locations. And don’t forget about the groom! Traditionally it’s the bride and her father (plus bridesmaids) that are escorted to the wedding ceremony in style but often the groom’s transportation is a last minute thought - this is your reminder to ensure everyone has the required transport to get to the wedding on time! Remember to always read reviews and ask for references before booking any wedding professionals, and make sure to have all agreements in writing to avoid any misunderstandings. Leave yourself time for the smaller creative tasks such as wedding favours, venue decorations and making your seating chart. These little tasks always take a bit longer than you think so give yourself plenty of time to do them, in fact, these are perfect jobs for your bridal party to help with. Planning the best wedding should be an enjoyable journey, so start wedding planning early and work out a wedding timeline that suits so that you know what you need to get done by when. If you need some extra help, when you create a wedding website with Say I do you automatically gain access to your very own custom wedding planning checklist! From timings to reminders, every step of your wedding planning journey is covered because let’s be honest - there's nothing more frustrating than to have found your dream wedding vendor for them only to be booked up for someone else's wedding party!