Planning A Wedding: A Guide To Creating Your Dream Day

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but with a clear timeline, effective organisation, and a healthy dose of creativity, it is possible to create a memorable celebration that truly reflects your style and values. From setting a realistic budget and constructing a prioritised checklist to adding personal touches and enlisting help from loved ones, there are several key steps to consider when planning your dream wedding.

One of the first steps is determining your wedding style and theme, which will guide many of your design decisions. It is also essential to involve your significant other in the process, as their input is invaluable, and planning a wedding is an excellent opportunity to bond and grow as a couple. Organisation is key, and tools like checklists, spreadsheets, and wedding planning books can help keep you on track.

Another crucial aspect is selecting the right vendors, from caterers to photographers, and carefully reviewing contracts to ensure you are protected. Don't forget to delegate tasks to your bridal party and family members, and consider a day-of coordinator to oversee the final details.

Lastly, remember to add personal touches, whether through DIY projects or cultural traditions, and focus on enjoying the moment. Your wedding day will fly by, so savour the experience and don't stress over minor details.

DIY decorations

Rustic and Natural Decor

• Create a rustic, bohemian vibe with wooden accents, such as a wooden heart guest book, a wooden bar sign, or a wooden ring bearer box.
• For an outdoor wedding, use burlap napkin rings and birch bark vases for a natural, rustic charm.
• Bring the outdoors in by running foliage and greenery down the centre of tables, or hang florals overhead and tie them to chair backs.
• For a beach wedding, use tropical leaves as place cards. Monstera, fiddle-leaf fig, and philodendron leaves provide plenty of space for writing names.
• Hang a disco ball or multiple mirrored globes for a unique, eye-catching display.
• Create a memory wall with family photos and heirlooms, or display childhood photos on the back of the bride and groom's chairs.
• Add a touch of whimsy by placing a bucket of seasonal blooms in the basket of a vintage bicycle at the entrance of your venue.

Centrepieces and Table Decor

• Make floating centrepieces by placing a few blooms in a plastic terrarium bowl filled with water.
• Design floral centrepieces that can be used at the aisle during the ceremony and then repurposed for tables at the reception.
• For a unique, long-lasting display, use succulents in large terrariums as centrepieces.
• Add height to your centrepieces with suspended paper lanterns.
• Bring texture and height to long dining tables with a rustic, reclaimed wood runner.
• Create a romantic atmosphere with gold wine bottle candle holders. Spray paint empty wine bottles and decorate them with ribbons, flowers, or plastic grape clusters.
• Make mason jar centrepieces by decorating mason jars with beads, glitter, spray paint, twine, or ribbon, and filling them with blooms.
• For a simple, elegant look, arrange pillar and taper candles of varying heights, along with votives in glass candle holders.
• Add a pop of colour with a vibrant yarn backdrop behind the sweetheart table.
• Hang fairy lights in garlands or basket-weave patterns above your guests' heads for a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
• For a summer wedding, use a bowl of fresh fruit as a centrepiece.
• Craft fruit-filled centrepieces with seasonal fruits such as watermelons, peaches, or plums.
• Create "lace" vases by wrapping bottles or vases with lace-printed paper and spray-painting them. Remove the paper to reveal a beautiful lace design.

Other Creative Ideas

• Make confetti party poppers for a fun alternative to the traditional rice-throwing send-off.
• Design and assemble a tent made of string lights for a romantic, glowing focal point at the reception.
• Line the aisle ceremony chairs with framed photos of the bride and groom as children for a nostalgic touch.
• For a travel-themed wedding, design postcards of places the couple has visited and ask guests to write notes on the back. Display vintage suitcases and a globe to complete the look.
• Provide cozy blankets for an outdoor winter wedding, with a cute sign that says, "To have and to hold, in case you get cold."
• Make petal toss cones from recycled paper or lace doilies filled with freeze-dried petals for an eco-friendly celebratory toss.
• Upgrade your invitations with chiffon ribbons and wax seals for an elegant, personalized touch.

Wedding stationery

Start Early and Source Materials:

Give yourself plenty of time to create your wedding stationery, especially if you're doing it yourself. Sourcing materials, such as paper, envelopes, and stamps, can take longer than expected due to supply chain issues. Create a timeline and start gathering materials early on.

Determine Paper Sizes and Envelopes:

When designing your invitations, consider the different paper components you want to include, such as RSVP cards and details cards. Determine the sizes and thicknesses of paper needed, ensuring they fit within your chosen envelopes. If you're creating a deckled (ripped) edge effect, remember to account for the extra paper needed.

Choose a Design and Font:

Select a design and font that reflects your style as a couple. You can browse Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, but ultimately, choose something that feels true to you. Consider using unique fonts, luxurious paper, or adding special touches like wax seals or belly bands to make your invitations stand out.

Printing and Assembly:

Decide whether you want to print your invitations at home or use a professional printing service. If you're creating complex designs or want high-quality letterpress printing, a professional printer may be the best option. Assemble your invitations by placing the different components together, adding any extra touches like ribbons or dried flowers, and securing them with glue dots or wax seals.

Addressing and Sending:

You can choose to hand-write, print, or use calligraphy for addressing your envelopes. Consider hand-cancelling your envelopes at the post office to ensure they don't get damaged during delivery. Don't forget to include the correct postage and send your invitations with plenty of time for your guests to RSVP.

Creating your own wedding stationery can be a fun and memorable part of your wedding planning process. It allows you to add personal touches and create something that truly reflects your style as a couple. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to get creative!

Wedding attire

For the Couple

The wedding attire for the couple is the focal point of the ceremony. It's essential to choose outfits that reflect your personal style and make you feel confident and comfortable. Consider the theme or colour scheme of your wedding and choose attire that complements it. For a unique touch, you could even try making your outfits. For example, you could design and create your own wedding dress or suit, adding a special, handmade element to your big day.

For the Wedding Planner

As a wedding planner, your attire should strike a balance between looking professional and blending into the background. The standard go-to for wedding planners is a stylish black outfit, which ensures you don't stand out too much while still looking elegant and put-together. However, for more casual weddings, you might opt for a pop of colour or a more relaxed outfit, like a dress with leggings or a jumpsuit. Comfort is also key, so remember to choose something you can move around in easily and that won't cause discomfort throughout the long day.

For the Guests

When choosing what to wear as a wedding guest, it's essential to consider the formality of the event, the time of year, and the venue. For outdoor weddings, you might need to dress in layers to stay warm, while indoor weddings could call for more formal attire. It's also important to avoid wearing white, as this colour is typically reserved for the bride. You can add a unique touch to your outfit with handmade accessories, like a hairpiece, belt, or jewellery, ensuring you look stylish and event-ready.

No matter your role in the wedding, careful consideration of your attire will ensure you look and feel amazing on the special day.

Wedding favours

Edible Wedding Favours:

• Cocktail jars
• Fortune cookies
• Heart-shaped chocolate lollipops
• Honey jars
• Meringue kisses
• Sweetie bags
• Personalised tablets and fudge
• Personalised coffee paper bags
• Personalised love hearts
• Lollipops
• Macarons
• Gin miniatures
• Truffles
• Condiments
• Chocolate bars
• Tea vials
• Jelly beans
• Retro sweets
• Marshmallows

Cool Wedding Favours:

• Playing cards
• Temporary tattoos
• Succulents
• Watering cans
• Bubbles
• Golf balls
• Recipe cards
• Fridge magnets
• Lip balm
• Mixed tape-style USB
• Bottle openers
• Photo wine bottle labels
• Hangover kits
• Hip flasks
• Soaps
• Bath bombs
• Sparklers
• Personalised wooden place names
• Candles
• Personalised photo coasters
• Origami cranes
• Personalised chopsticks
• Matches
• Compact mirrors
• Personalised keyrings
• Caricature table place cards
• Colouring sheets
• Paper flowers

Destination Wedding Favours:

• Luggage tags
• Hand fans
• Eco water bottles
• Tiny tote bags
• Personalised notes

Seasonal Wedding Favours:

• Elf walking sticks
• Pine cone tealight holders
• Hot chocolate kits
• Personalised baubles
• Sunglasses
• Flip-flops
• Hand sanitiser
• Christmas crackers
• Mince pies
• Christmas angels
• Lavender bags and jars

Wedding transport

When You Need Wedding Transportation

It's likely you'll need some form of wedding transportation, especially if you have a large wedding party or your ceremony and reception venues are in different locations. If your ceremony and reception sites are more than 30 minutes apart, it is considerate to provide transportation for your guests. This will prevent them from incurring rideshare charges or having to drive long distances. Additionally, if you're hosting a destination wedding or have guests coming in from out of town, offering transportation options is highly recommended.

Who Needs Wedding Transportation

You and your partner will definitely need transport to and from the ceremony and reception venues. If you're all departing from the same location, it's helpful to book transport services for your wedding party, so everyone arrives together and on time. This can be done in shifts to ensure the couple doesn't see each other before the ceremony. If your budget allows, you can offer transportation to all your guests, especially those travelling from out of town or if you have different venues for the ceremony, reception, and after-party.

Average Cost of Wedding Transportation

Transportation can be a significant expense, so it's important to budget for it accordingly. The cost will depend on the type of transport and the number of vehicles required. For example, a stretch limo that fits 12-14 people might cost $350-$500 for three hours, while shuttle or party buses can range from $800 to $1,200. Trolleys, which are ideal for cultural cities, can start at $1,200 and go up to $2,200.

When to Book Wedding Transportation

It's essential to book your wedding transportation early, as vehicles and staff may be limited, even in big cities. Aim to start booking three to six months before your special day, and don't forget to inspect the vehicles before finalizing the reservation.

Tips for Booking Wedding Transportation

• Ask about tipping, gas, and mileage, as these may be included in the quote, and be aware of potential surprise costs.
• Negotiate with venues or hotels, as they may offer incentives like shuttle services for booking a certain number of rooms.
• Ensure your wedding insurance covers transportation to avoid out-of-pocket expenses in case of any issues.
• Transportation options include stretch limos, party buses, shuttles, boats, and even revamped school buses for a fun twist.
• When estimating pick-up times, plan to arrive early and account for traffic, unexpected delays, and time for excited guests to get into multiple cars.
• If your ceremony and reception are at separate locations, consider the timing to avoid guests arriving while the reception space is being prepared.
• Provide information about public transportation or rental car discounts for guests who prefer to make their own arrangements.
• Don't overcrowd the vehicles; allow for extra space, especially for billowing skirts and nervous excitement.
• Provide drivers with hard copies of directions and a copy of the itinerary, including alternate routes, in case of traffic or delays.
• Get a written agreement with the rental company, including total cost, deposits, refund and gratuity policies, pick-up/drop-off locations and times, vehicle models, and overtime rates.
• Verify that your driver is licensed and insured.

Frequently asked questions