Wedding checklist Australia

The Best Wedding Checklist in Australia

Updated May 2018

Organising a wedding is never easy because of the emotion and importance many attach to the event. Some people choose to hire a wedding planner to save themselves the headache but others prefer to do everything themselves. If that's you then here's my practical, no nonsense wedding checklist for your wedding.

Print it out and tick them off. 

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As soon as you know you're getting married/after your engagement

• Discuss your ideal wedding with your fiance, can you agree to disagree?
• Decide your budget range ie 10-20K, 30-60k, 60k +
• Discuss whether you want a wedding planner to help with some or all of the organisation
• Start planning the guest list. Deciding an approximate number of guests will help you determine you choice of venues
• Research potential wedding venues and ceremony locations
• Pick potential wedding dates (check with any significant guests to avoid clashes)
• Decide who to ask to be bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Start a Pinterest account
• Engagement party anyone?

At least 12 months before but earlier is better

• Book reception venue and ceremony locations
• Research wedding suppliers - photographer, florist, invitations, cake, decor, music, hair and make up
• Decide what type of entertainment you want for ceremony, drinks reception and dancing
• Book Photographer
• Start wedding dress research
• Send Save the Date cards

10 months before or earlier

• Book ceremony music, band and dj for reception
• Contact decor hire companies if you need to rent anything for ceremony/reception, such as chairs, tables, and tent.
• Research and book your Honeymoon, travel agents seem like a dated concept but they can be great with advice and tips.
• Research and order wedding cake
• Research bridesmaids’ dresses
• Book or order Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Suits
• Book ceremony musicians
• Ensure passports are in date for honeymoon, don't underestimate how long it can take to order new passports
• Book wedding cars

4-7 months before

• Choose and order wedding invitations & stationery
• Attend pre-marriage counselling, if required (for catholic ceremonies) but also an excellent idea generally.
• Meet with florist to discuss options
• Shop for groom's suit
• Organise the legalities — give at least 3 months notice to registrar or priest/religious celebrant
• Organise invitations and order of service booklets
• Travel vaccinations?
• Organise wedding transport, late nights, alcohol and driving don't mix.
• Start gathering addresses for guest list 
• Research and book accommodation for guests
• Choose and order wedding rings

2-3 months before

• Send invitations to guests
• Deliver must-have shot lists to photographer. Include who should be in formal portraits and determine when portraits will be taken
• Rent the men's formalwear
• Attend dress fittings
• Organise gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, and each other
• Book a makeup artist and go for makeup trial
• Book hairdresser and organise hair trial

4 weeks before

• Have final wedding dress fitting
• Make any last-minute adjustments with suppliers
• Finalise details for, and order mass booklets/order of ceremony
• Order and plan in-room welcome baskets for out-of-town guests

2 weeks before

• Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded
• Create your table plan

1 week before

• Give venue/caterer final guest head count
• Check with venues wedding coordinator if they need anything from you.
• Call all wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements, create timetable for day
• Give ceremony and reception site managers a schedule of vendor delivery and setup times, plus contact numbers.
• Get manicure, massage, waxing and all your preparations
• Do full wedding dress rehearsal (everything)
• Pack an overnight bag for the reception, include Panadol and band-aids
• Organise money to be paid to suppliers on the day but preferably take of this beforehand.

2-3 days before

• Make last minute changes to table plan if necessary
• Groom: Go for final fitting and pick up your formalwear.
• Groom: Ask the best man to make sure all groomsmen attend fittings and pick up their outfits.
• Confirm pick-up times with wedding car company
• Assign a family member or attendant to be the photographer's contact so he knows who is who.

Day before

• Drop off place cards, favours, table plan to reception coordinator
• Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding - best man or maid of honour are the best.
• Sort out payment (organise cash or cheques) for any final balances to be paid at the end of the reception.
• Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to reception venue
• Rehearse ceremony with full wedding party and iron out details.
• Get a good night’s rest. Seriously. Go to bed early!

The Wedding Day! 

• Give the gifts for your parents to the best man/bridesmaid for after the speeches
• Get flowers delivered to the bride’s house
• Give wedding bands to the best man to hold during the ceremony
• Introduce your reception coordinator to your wedding planner (if you're having one), or bridesmaid/bestman for questions or problems during the reception.

After the Wedding

• Prearrange for someone to return any rentals.
• Prearrange for someone to take the bride's gown for cleaning.
• Send thank-you notes to guests and any vendors who were especially helpful.