Aussie Wedding Blog

Wedding Planners

alexandra — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:09:22 +0000

In my first post “Wedding Planning: Step 1″ I outlined an in depth planning guide for one’s wedding. I figure it is all well and good to outline what each step is, but surely each step will need a little more than just a few words to truly understand the role it will play and the way to carry it out succesfully. So I intend to do just that…starting at the very beginning (a veyr good place to start) with the 24 - 18 months before the wedding, or as the case may be, as soon as you know!

One of the ‘to-dos’ in the 24 to 18 months before your wedding, is to consider hiring a wedding planner to save you time, money and energy, as well as give you great ideas. What follows is a for and against list considering all the pros and cons of a wedding planner to help you decide whether or not you will need one for your big day.

PROS:

Can help make your day stress free;
Flexibility - you can organise what you want to, and leave the things you are dreading to someone else;
Can often help you better stick to your budget;
Have wonderful ideas and solutions you may never have thought of;
Can often helping negotiate amongst parents and partners as an impartial adjudicator;
Has fabulous connections to people you may never have found;
Can often get deals through connections.

CONS:

Sometimes costly, can you budget this;
Has connections that offer fabulous deals, but might not be as good as something else you might find but you are forced to use them as part of their services;
You may not agree with your wedding planner, i.e. you may have a different vision (unlikely).

As the popularity of this service grows within the industry, the potential cons are far outweighed by the pros and now wedding planners arn’t considered a luxury, they’re considered the necessity!

Possible Planners:

www.angelicevents.com.au

Angelic Events & Design are an event design company who specialise in corporate event planning, themeing, centerpiece design, floral art and specialty linens. Our clients range from Corporations to Event Planners and Brides, anyone who is looking to add style and grace to their special event.

Angelic Events & Design can plan & arrange the following Wedding requirements.

Event Styling & Design
Ceremony Planning
Invitations
Venue Selection & setup
Photography
Videography
Floral Design
Transport
Master of Ceremonies

Hair & Beauty
Marquee Rental
Bonbonnière
Celebrant
Ceremony music
Entertainment
Security arrangements
Fireworks
Outdoor Ceremony Design

www.beaumondeconcepts.com.au

Your wedding will be a joyous celebration from ‘Yes’ to ‘I do’.

So many options and decisions can sometimes take the excitement away from planning your big day.

Owner, Sally de Zwaan will be by your side, providing expert advice on overall event design, wedding etiquette, navigating family dynamics and so much more. Together with inspired floral stylist, Katrina Woodward and Operations Manager Kristy Frappell “aka The Sergeant Major”, Beau Monde Event Concepts has the first-hand experience to help interpret your vision into a meticulously planned, stress free and truly joyful celebration.

After extensive consultation we will research, recommend and co-ordinate your dream team to create a unique wedding for you and your guests.

The following are among the services we will coordinate:

Wedding concept
Vendor contract negotiations
Venue
Budget tracking
Floral and event design
Props and furniture
Lighting and staging design
Stationary (including ceremony and reception programs and mailing)
Music and Entertainment
Menu development
Photography
Videography
Favours & gift baskets
Event timeline
Bridal Shower/Hens party planning

www.susanstanfordevents.com.au

With over 300 weddings to her credit, you can be assured that no less than your dream wedding will be achieved under Susan’s guidance.

The Bride, Groom and family may choose to work closely with Susan to plan this very special day, or simply leave it to this dedicated consultant to create the most spectacular day that will be truly cherished by all in attendance.

OTHER SITES

www.angelsdreaming.com.au

Alternatively, do a google search for Wedding Planners and the list is never-ending!

Wedding Planning: Step 1

alexandra — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:30:54 +0000

The lead up to a wedding is an incredibly exciting and busy time, but the excitement can easily be replaced with nerves and stress if one is not organised from day one of the planning operations.

What follows is a timeline for the planning and organisation of the big day. Follow and so should success.

24 - 18 months before / As soon as you know!

Set a wedding date
Personally announce your “Big Day’s” date to family & friends
Consider hiring a wedding planner to save you time, money and energy, as well as give you great ideas
Discuss & establish a budget, knowing from the start who pays for what
Discuss together the roles for everyone close to you – family, friends and wedding party
Send a ’Save the date’ announcement (email is perfectly correct)
Consider creating your own website to keep everyone informed
Scout and reserve a ceremony location
Scout and reserve a reception location (they are often booked 24-18 months before)
Meet with wedding officiant (they will advise you on pre-marital requirements)
Think of a personal theme for your wedding
Make initial contacts with 1-2 caterers or reception venues
Start searching for your wedding dress style in magazines and on the internet
Get yourself a great “Wedding Planner” workbook to record everything

12 months before

Start shopping for your wedding dress
Groom: Decide on your wedding day fashion
Set a date for your engagement party
Select your wedding attendants and ask them to do you the honour
Define and advise roles of mothers, fathers and people close to you
Interview & ask for the demos and the repertoires from musicians and DJ’s
Decide on your caterer and start working on the menu
Begin shopping for your dress and your attendants’ dresses
Shop for wedding bands
Check out bakers for your wedding cakes (magazine photos can help greatly here)
Begin your health & beauty regimen (remember you are the BELLE of the ball)

8 months before

Finalize guest list (as much as possible)
Choose your invitations and order them
Register for Gifts in specialized stores (it is very popular to register in more than one store for those special items like dishes, cutlery, crystal, kitchen accessories or even tools for him)
Confirm photographer & sign a contract as guarantee
Confirm videographer & sign a contract as guarantee
Confirm musicians & DJ & sign a contract as guarantee
Shop & reserve transportation for wedding party
Shop and choose florist for the ceremony and reception sites’ décor
Select and buy your wedding dress (a deposit should suffice)
Select and buy your maid of honour and bridesmaids’ dresses
Groom: Reserve your wedding attire for you and your groomsmen
Set aside block of hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests (they will take a guarantee on your credit card but will not charge you until a certain date, at which time you can cancel if not used)

6 months before

Confirm guest list details with caterer or banquet manager
Make sure you have received your invitations
Hold a meeting with caterer or banquet manager to finalize set-up, menu, beverages, schedule, cake cutting, snack etc.
Visit reception location during another wedding to view décor and set-up ideas
Reserve all rental equipment for reception (different tablecloths, napkins, candelabras etc.)
Start planning your honeymoon
Obtain a passport now (it will save you unnecessary stress later)
Start planning the rehearsal dinner
Book a venue for the rehearsal
Book a hotel for your wedding night
Obtain insurance if desired
Choose and buy your wedding accessories

4 months before

Make or buy wedding favors (shipping is often required, so better earlier than later)
Attend pre-marital courses if required
Finalize any outstanding contracts & guarantee them with a deposit
Discuss shower ideas with your maid of honour
Shop for exciting lingerie and undergarments to go under your wedding dress
Schedule a fitting for your wedding dress
Discuss with people you have chosen to do special performances (readings, MC, toasts)
Address your invitations or send to calligrapher

2 months before

Mail invitations (six weeks prior to wedding & eight weeks for out-of-town guests)
Select a guest book and pen
Buy all accessories to bring to your next wedding dress fitting
If tradition obliges, remember something new, something blue, something old and something borrowed
Research & choose your personal wedding vows
Discuss transportation details with provider
Arrange for baby sitter at reception site if you want families with small children to attend
Have hair stylist and make-up artist do a trial run with your accessories (this is a photo moment you will want to record)
Make your appointment with them now, for your big day
Write your personal thank you notes as presents arrive (grooms should share in this and a good rule is to write these no later than 2 months after the wedding day)
Groom and groomsmen: get fitted for your wedding attire
Select gifts for your wedding party
See notary and draw marriage contract (do not wait until the end)

1 month before

Schedule final fitting for wedding dress
Finalize and print prayer book, bulletin, ceremony program, menu and name cards
Get marriage license if required
Check and review contracts with caterer, photographer, videographer, musicians, DJ, florist & transportation
Draw up a list with all suppliers name, telephone numbers (including cellular) and time of arrival for the wedding day
Pick up your wedding dress and accessories
Finalize all ceremony details with your officiant

3 weeks before

Send schedule to your reception banquet manager and ensure delivery location
Grooms: Hold the Bachelor Party
Hold the Bachelorette Party

2 weeks before

Review all details with your wedding planner
Designate a coordinator for pre-wedding set-up if you do not have a wedding planner
Confirm time of arrival with all service providers
Confirm your hair & make-up appointments (many of them can come to your home)
Enjoy a day at the SPA with your friends (or even have a pyjama party)

1 week before

Groom: Pick up your wedding attire and try it on at home
Bride & groom: Pack for your honeymoon, prepare all documents
Groom: Rehearse your toasts with your groomsmen
Give final seating chart to location manager
Pack your overnight bag for your wedding night

1 day before

Designate someone to collect your gifts and bring them to reception site
Drop off favors, guest book, pen, menus, and programs at reception site
Attend the rehearsal & try to enjoy!
Offer your thank you gifts to your attendants and family who assisted you
Bride & Groom: Get an early night sleep. Tomorrow is the Big Day!

YOUR WEDDING DAY

Go to your hair appointment (remember to bring your veil & flowers)
Wedding planner galleria, or designated person will coordinate everything at reception site
Groom: Place any service provider owed balance in an envelope be remitted by Best Man
Take a moment to thank your parents & close ones and tell them you love them
RELAX, SMILE & make the most of this memorable day

Source: http://www.sewerbygrange.co.uk/wedding%20planner.htm

A New Hello.

alexandra — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:24:49 +0000

Hello to all. My name is Alexandra Atanasov and I am a new author on Aussie Wedding Blog, something I’m ecstatic about.I hope to add new ideas, advice and inspiration to each person who views the blog. My first post will detail what I see as a fabulous plan to see you through to your big day. Happy reading and blogging.

Welcome Aussie Wedding Blog

bwheather — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:12:14 +0000

Welcome to the new Aussie Wedding Blog. My name is Heather Goldsmith and I hope to share with you something of what makes Aussie weddings unique. I’d love to see this blog become a great resource for Australian products, services and inspiration when it comes to planning your own wedding. Your wedding stories are also invited, particularly if they have an Aussie slant to them.

So, look out for more coming your way shortly.

Heather