When should I book my wedding suppliers?

Wedding Guides & Resources

We know planning your wedding can sometimes get a bit overwhelming. You’ve got a bunch of things to think about, like figuring out your wedding budget and choosing where you want to go for your honeymoon!

As wedding photographers we’re often one of the first two suppliers couples book, and we like to help make the entire experience as fun and enjoyable as possible. That’s why we’ve prepared this guide of who to enquire with first when planning your wedding.

Planning your wedding should be fun and enjoyable!

12-18 months to go

Wedding Planner

If you don’t have the time, or you’re struggling with the more tedious parts of planning and you just want to enjoy the fun parts of planning your wedding, then you should consider hiring a wedding planner.

Wedding planners are there to help you choose suppliers that fit both the look and budget you’re after. They’ll also help manage suppliers for you and scheduling appointments.

Wedding Venue

The wedding venue is often the first thing couples book. Some venues are booked out 18 to 24 months in advance during the popular wedding months. Make sure to get in early if there is a specific dream venue you have in mind.

Booking your wedding venue also means setting your wedding date, which almost every other supplier is going to ask for. You can now shift your focus to planning all the details that’ll shape the day into your dream wedding.

Wedding Celebrant

Your celebrant (civil or religious) is technically the only supplier you really need for your wedding – they’re the ones that make your marriage official.

In our experience, celebrants often bring character and set the mood for you and your guests. Choose a celebrant that connects with you and fits the feeling you want for your wedding.

Would you like your celebrant to tell the story of how you both fell in love? Would you like to exchange personal vows?

Wedding Photographer

As photographers ourselves, we book weddings with our couples an average of 18 months in advance – but anything between 3 months to 3 years is perfectly fine with us.

We often recommend couples think about the style of photography they want to look back on for generations to come and choose a photographer based on the style you love. Be sure to check out lots of online galleries and get in touch early.

To get you started, you can view our online gallery and check out some of our real weddings.

Wedding Dress

Choosing the perfect wedding dress is a big part of planning for your wedding, and lets face it, we all want to look like a princess (or prince).

From the moment your guests stand as you enter your ceremony, through to your first kiss, first dance, and partying at your reception, your dress will be the admiration and envy of everyone there. Your dress will also have special meaning to you and your newly wedded as it reflects the very essence of your wedding day and marriage.

Allow yourself enough time to consider if you want a custom-made dress, and allow time for alterations if needed.

9-11 months to go

Wedding Videographer

A similar process to booking a photographer, you should consider the style and feel of your wedding video. Think about what you what parts of the day you want captured on video.

We find that the speeches in particular become super important to couples as the years roll by. The heartfelt love and words of friends and family being immortalised in film.

Save The Dates

Sending ‘save the date’ cards is like planting the seed of excitement for your upcoming wedding. It’s a friendly heads-up to your loved ones.

These little notes prompt your guests mark the date on their calendars, preventing scheduling conflicts and making sure everyone important can be part of your wedding day.

Plus it adds an extra layer of anticipation, turning the countdown to your wedding into a shared experience with those who matter most.

Transport

It’s time to think about how you and your wedding party are going to arrive. Are you arriving by limousine or vintage car? Or, are you going to do something a little more special, like a helicopter or a horse drawn carriage?

In addition to your wedding party, it can be important to think about your guests. If your guests have a fair distance to travel home late at night, perhaps arranging a bus would be welcomed.

Music

You’ve got that song in mind for your walk down the aisle, and your first dance perhaps, but what about the rest of the night? Consider a musical game plan for both your ceremony and the kick-off of your reception party.

Maybe you’re leaning towards a DJ to set the vibe, or you’re drawn to the live and vibrant energy of a wedding band? Maybe both? It’s all about finding the right groove for your wedding.

We love this particular musical photography game at wedding receptions which seems to have multiple names – dash, photo roulette, ballroom blitz – just a few of the names we’ve heard it called. It’s a tonne of musical fun and ensures you get photos of everyone at your reception.

Flowers

When it comes to wedding flowers, the go-tos are bouquets for the girls and buttonholes for the boys. Once you’ve got those choices made, think about where else you can sprinkle some floral magic on your wedding.

The wedding party, close family members, the arbour, centrepieces, or even your wedding cake – there are so many possibilities. Have a friendly chat with your florist about your style preferences or what will be in season for your wedding day. Let the blossoms begin!

Catering

What’s going to be on the menu? Schedule a tasting session with your venue to explore the delicious options available, or if you’re thinking of bringing in an external catering service, have a chat with a few catering companies and explore your choices.

You could even explore some unique food alternatives too. We’ve seen a Mr Whippy ice cream van, a bao bun food truck, and even a gourmet popcorn cart. Let your taste buds and creativity run wild!

Wedding Hire

Spruce up your ceremony, reception or venue space. Take a look at what your venue offers and think about any additional items you’d like to include. Give the space a touch of elegance or some great photo opportunities.

Don’t forget the essentials though, like comfortable seating for your ceremony or tables and chairs for your reception.

Honeymoon

Are you planning a mini getaway straight after the wedding or a lavish honeymoon a few months later?

Taking a break from the seemingly endless wedding planning to think about the holiday you’ll take afterwards can be a welcome change. Who knows, maybe inspiration will strike while you’re not feeling so overwhelmed?

6-8 months to go

Formalwear

Time for the blokes to pick out their formalwear. Would you prefer shopping for a suit, having something custom made or hire an outfit for the big day.

Lets make sure everyone’s looking sharp and ready to celebrate.

Stylists

Enlisting the expertise of a wedding stylist is like having a magic wand to bring your vision and theme to life effortlessly, sparing your the stress of doing it all on your own.

Let’s make your wedding look the way you want, without any added hassle.

Decorations

The fun part – choosing your decorations!

You likely already have in mind the colours, theme, and overall look for your wedding. Now’s the time to choose the styling props and furniture that will really bring your vision for your ceremony and reception to life.

We love to see when couples add personalised details that compliment the couple’s unique personality or a nod to their story.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Once you’ve settled on your theme and colours, it’s time to match them up with your bridesmaids, giving you a clear picture of how the colours will go together on the day.

It’s also a perfect time to finalise who is in your bridal party – and you’ve got the right people for the job.

5-6 months to go

Wedding Invitations

Now that you’ve got your wedding date, venue, theme and ceremony all sorted, it’s invitation time!

Think about who you want to invite, and order wedding invitations that match your theme.

Wedding Cake

Cake tasting! One of the most enjoyable wedding planning steps. Dive into a world of delicious creations from your favourite cake makers – and feel free to get creative.

Consider the size of your guest list to gauge the perfect number of servings.

2-3 months to go

Hair & Makeup Artists

Your hair and makeup artist are key to looking your best, so it’s important to find the right fit. Schedule a trial to work with your artist and find the perfect look.

We suggest not going too glossy. As much as it looks great in real life, it might not look the most flattering on camera.

Photobooth

Adding a photobooth can sprinkle some fun on your wedding day!

If there’s room in the budget, it’ll be a hit for you and your guests. Capture the fun moments, and you can even incorporate the snaps into your guest book.

Jewellery

Get ready to choose those rings!

Decide on a design that’ll complement your day-to-day style. When you collect the rings, make sure to assign someone reliable to make sure they arrive at the ceremony.

Wedding Favours

Got the guest count? Great! Now, decide on the perfect wedding favours.

Consider thoughtful touches like succulents, or personalized spirits. Perhaps favours that make a lasting impact and spread joy beyond the big day.

Wedding Services

To add some uniqueness to your wedding, you might consider entertainers, alpacas, wedding insurance, or even someone to chauffeur your pup to the big day.

Explore these unexpected services that add a special touch to make your wedding truly one-of-a-kind!

Shoes

With your wedding dress sorted, it’s time for the perfect pairing – your shoes!

Whether you’re making a statement or simply aiming for all-day comfort, wear them in for key moments like your first dance or walking down the aisle.

Flower Girls & Page Boys

Don’t dress your flower girl or page boy too early, especially if they’re still growing.

If they’re not your kids, have a chat with their parents about their growth rate.

Hens & Bucks Parties

No need to organize your own hens or bucks party – but your wedding party might need a little hint!

Whether you love surprises or prefer some guidelines, communicate your wishes. Let your wedding party handle the planning while you relax and soak in the celebration vibes. It’s time to enjoy the pre-wedding festivities!

It’s a good idea not to schedule this for the night before your wedding.

Accommodation

Where will you crash after the wedding? Pick a place to stay just the night or extend your stay for for a few days and relax.

For regional weddings, explore group packages for guests. Many hotels offer codes for hassle-free booking, letting everyone enjoy the celebration without the travel fuss.

Lingerie

Not just for the wedding night. Consider the practicality of how your lingerie works with your wedding dress.

Think about what you need to pull off the perfect look.

Beauty Services

Relax and pamper yourself!

Consider scheduling a regular beauty service for ultimate relaxation and prepare for your big day.

Facials might bring out that radiant glow, and regular massages can keep you relaxed. Treat yourself to some self-care and sail smoothly into your special day feeling refreshed and radiant!

Accessories

Finish your planning with a touch of excitement and style! Pick out jewellery, crowns, and other accessories that’ll add details to your wedding.

If you’re donning a headpiece or veil, prep it in advance for your hair trial.

2-8 Weeks to go

Final Touches

Time to wrap up the details. Discuss wet weather options with your venue, send invitations, confirm your honeymoon plans, and finalise your payments to your suppliers.

If you chose us for your wedding photography and videography, we’ll reach out to schedule a final pre-wedding meeting to go through the final details of your wedding timeline, create a VIP list for your family and group photos, and answer any last minute questions you might have.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the countdown to your big day!

Wedding Supplier Checklist

Download our ‘Wedding Supplier Checklist’ to help plan your wedding and keep track of which wedding supplier is next.

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