The wedding checklist

Just engaged

Start the conversation on the scariest issues: the budget, the guest list, the venue and the date.

The Budget

Once you have created a budget you can you move on to your guest list.

Budgeting first will help you decide whether to include people like your well-meaning but overly enthusiastic co-worker, Harry, or not .. ! Make your list of who you want at your wedding, and then ask your families for a list of who they want to invite, (but make no promises)

The Location

Think about the style of wedding you want and then what type of venue will lend itself to that look and feel – do you want the beautiful Harry the hirer glass Atrium set on a private property, or The Fairhaven set in a field, or maybe it’s a chic Melbourne venue styled with hire furniture that is design led to compliment your theme?

The Ceremony and reception

Book the church or a celebrant and consider the location for the ceremony. Questions to consider would be - are you having the wedding ceremony and reception in the same venue? Or are you opting for a traditional church ceremony and a reception in a trendy function space? Or outside in a park with guests seated on white or grey timber Willow chairs?

The photographer/videographer and the Caterer

Lock these guys in so you’re eating the food you love and someone has it all captured on film

3 - 6 months out

The Invitations

Invitations don’t need to be sent until three to four months before a wedding; however its best to have them selected and the wording finalized about six months before.

Wedding Website

•  Set up your registry — whether that’s at a store, charity or wishing well.

•  Set up hotel bookings and transportation to and from your venue, if necessary, add the details to your website

•  Additionally, configure your website so it captures R.S.V.P.s digitally, which cuts down on both paper and your stress.

Almost there ...

•  Select the cake or some other special dessert about three months out.

•  Order your wedding rings

•  Consider your wedding song! Are you going to do a 'first dance'? You might already have a song or a list of songs important to the both of you. If you're planning a choreographed dance, you might want to opt for some dance lessons to really make it special and memorable.

•  Book a hair, make up, nails and spray tan (if you want them!)

•  Consider your wedding vows!

•  As you get closer to the six-month mark, you can start planning your honeymoon; make a playlist for the ceremony and key songs for the evening’s entertainment – including the bridal waltz.

•  So far as ordering bonbonniere — again, if you want them. You don’t have to have bonbonniere; no one will miss them.