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The ultimate wedding checklist

You’re got engaged. Congratulations!

Now comes the fun part…planning the big day itself. What you will soon come to realise is that planning a wedding requires a great deal of organisation, budget management, and logistical skills. All of which can be quite overwhelming but, with the right tools at hand, you can plan your wedding day with confidence and ease.

We have created an ultimate wedding organiser document to help you keep every detail of the wedding plan under control. We’ve included everything from a budget calculator, to-do checklist, guest list organiser, and on-the-day planner to help your big day run without a hitch.

Wedding ceremony / Source: Brook Amy Photography

Wedding budget calculator

The average cost of a wedding in Australia is around an eye-watering $45,000-$50,000. It is therefore important to work out the budget you realistically have available to be able to execute the wedding of your dreams. Our wedding budget splits the costs into 21 sections including the venue(s), hens and bucks parties, bridal preparation, flowers, catering, transport, wedding cake, photography, entertainment, transport and more.

Our handy budgeting spreadsheet includes a section for notes, estimates costs, actual costs, deposit paid, amount outstanding and due date of final payments. Allowing for full visibility and budget tracking. If you’ve overspent in one category you can always scale back costs in another, for example, if you’ve spent too much on your wedding dress, spend less on the flowers to compensate.

To-do checklist

The wedding to-do list is split into time-bound stages, based on level of priority to help you plan your upcoming nuptials with ease. From announcing your engagement to setting a budget and selecting a wedding venue, to arranging a wedding planner, to choosing the dress, and everything else in between this to-do should have you covered. The planning process is split into the following stages:

  • Post engagement announcement 
    • After the buzz of the engagement has worn off, it’s time to start planning. Sit down with your fiance and discuss what budget you have available, what style of wedding you both want, what date you have in mind, who you both want to be in the wedding party, and contact and visit potential venues.
  • 12-18 months before 
    • Once you have decided on the style of wedding you want, it’s time to arrange the services of a wedding planner. If you’re a busy full time working women or mother, hiring a wedding planner is a top piece of advice to take the stress out of the planning process. At this stage, it’s also a good idea to draw up your guest list for the ceremony and reception. Shopping for the all-important, show-stopping wedding dress should also begin now, as many brides can take a while to find their perfect match!
  • 6-10 months before 
    • At this stage, the highlights of planning your wedding include selecting the dress, choosing the wedding party attire, booking the honeymoon and arranging the hens’ and bucks’ parties. Along with contacting potential photographers and videographers, caterers, florists, transportation and booking the reception evening entertainment.
  • 3 months before
    • At the 3 month mark, it’s time to make initial contact with your preferred wedding hair stylist and wedding makeup artist. Choose your wedding cake, submit a gift list with the bridal registry, pick out the wedding rings and arrange a master of ceremonies
  • 2 months before
    • The one thing you can’t afford to forget to do before the wedding is to give notice of intent to marry the wedding official at least one full month and no more than six months in advance of your wedding date.
  • 6 weeks before
    •  The final countdown is on, and it’s confirmation time. Confirm all of the final details with your florist, ceremony and reception venue, entertainment (wedding band/DJ) and arrange for the wedding rehearsal.
  • 4 weeks before
    • With just one month to go arrange to have your hair and makeup trial, final wedding dress fitting and alterations (if necessary) and confirm arrangements with the wedding celebrant.
  • 1-2 weeks before 
    • The wedding is now just around the corner and it’s time to triple check all of the arrangements for the day. Confirm all wedding day appointments, double-check transportation and petrol, do wedding rehearsal, send a seating list to the reception venue and pack for your honeymoon

Contact local wedding planners

Guestlist organiser

The wedding planner sheet comes with an ‘Initial Guest List’ and ‘Final Guest List’. The Initial Guest List allows you to identify everyone that you would ideally like to invite to the wedding and to see if this is plausible with your available budget. If your guest list is too long you can remove people from the list before sending out official invitations. 

The Final Guest List helps you to track the date you sent the invitation, if the recipient has accepted or declined the invite, a notes section (i.e. do they have any special dietary requirements, children etc.), assigned table number, the gift they bought you and a column to record the date you sent a thank you card.

It’s now quite popular to use digital RSVP businesses like withjoy.com and blissandbone.com to set up invitations and RSVPs. Digitalising this process makes it easy to record and keep track of numbers as well as sharing information about the day. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly!

Destination wedding / Source: Iclickyou

Wedding day schedule

The big day has finally arrived, the months of planning and preparation are over and it’s time to relax and enjoy one of the best days of your life. Make sure to have a stress free day by following our wedding day schedule, containing a list of timings and to-do’s before the ceremony, during the ceremony and at the reception.

Save some coin with DIY

We all know that planning a wedding can be stressful, time-consuming and costly but with a little DIY magic, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. DIY weddings are full of creativity and character whilst adding a homemade feel to your special day. Add an intimate touch to your wedding decorations, cut costs and take the stress out of your wedding with these simple DIY ideas.

Create a wedding landscape

  • A floral wall with simple greenery can substitute an expensive outdoor location and add a natural ambience to your wedding venue
  • Wooden lettering can be bought online and tied up with threads of twine or rope to create a centrepiece. Sayings like “we tied the knot or happily ever after”. Ropes are easily accessible, cost-friendly and the lettering can be the colour, font and size you choose.
  • Add a personal touch to your backdrop by attaching threads of ribbon or Polaroid memories of the lovely couple. This backdrop also doubles as a photo corner for guests to add to the photo collection.

Table settings 

Leaving an extravagant impression on your wedding guests doesn’t need to be costly. It is, after all, the small things that count. Invest in the detailing of your table centrepieces to wow your guests as they dine, wine and enjoy the evening. Here are a few ideas:

  • If you’re after a natural element, simple flower arrangements with complementing wooden bases can liven up the entire environment
  • Pick flowers, greenery or branches from your local area; ivy, eucalyptus and wattle grows wild all over Australia
  • Personalise your seating arrangements with something other than plain old name cards. Use personalised candles, wine glasses or even stubby holders 

These simple DIY additions are cost-efficient, creative and endearing. Ask your bridesmaids to join in on the decorating fun and take the stress out of your wedding. 

We hope that with this handy wedding planning tool you can embrace planning your wedding with minimal stress. If you keep calm and allow yourself enough time to follow the planning process, you will be able to create a beautiful and memorable day.

Check out our wedding blog, to find more wedding tips and tools. Oneflare can help you plan your wedding and find your perfect celebrants, florists, photographers, makeup artists, hairstylists, wedding planners and wedding car hire.

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The ultimate wedding planning guide

Planning a wedding can be stressful. You need to arrange for the venue, theme, catering, decor, legalities, flowers, transport, attire, etc. Couples want their wedding ceremony to be perfect and spend months sometimes years planning their special day. The process can be both intimidating and exhausting, especially if you don’t have a proper wedding plan in place. There are countless guides and checklists available online to help you plan, and you can even hire a professional wedding planner to handle the task for you if your wallet allows you.

No two weddings are exactly the same. Different couples have specific preferences for their special day. For example, a smaller backyard wedding has its own challenges when compared to large venue weddings. Before you start planning for your wedding ceremony, think about what kind of wedding you want to have. Here’s a guide on how to handle different types of ceremonies:

Wedding themes

Every wedding should have a special theme. A great theme will ensure your special day is more memorable and entertaining. The theme can be traditional and familiar or quirky and unique. For example, a spring or winter-themed wedding is more traditional while a gothic or Harry Potter-themed wedding is quirky and unique. Here are some tips that can help you decide a theme:

  • Decide whether you want a traditional or non-traditional (unique theme) wedding. A non-traditional wedding is just as challenging as a traditional one, and may even require a little more effort. – look to considerations list when looking at options. An idea is great, but delivering all aspects of this dream wedding idea can be hard conceptually and extremely expensive.
  • Browse through wedding magazines, blogs and Pinterest for unique wedding ideas. That might spark your creativity and give you an idea of what you want.
  • Make sure your theme is consistent throughout the event. For example, if you want a winter-themed wedding, you should choose white and pale blue colours, include winter-specific food and drinks, and make sure your wedding stationery has the same theme. Consistency will ensure your wedding is unique and magical.

Rural Wedding / Source: Little Glimpses

Destination weddings

There’s something very magical about having a wedding in an exotic and interesting location. If you have room in your budget, you can even have your wedding ceremony in another country like New Zealand, Thailand or Bali, which are all popular destinations for Australians. However, if you want to stay a little closer to home, there are several amazing places in Australia where you can have a wedding as well. They can be very difficult to plan and arrange but they’re worth the effort.

Tips to plan:

  • Choose a destination that will comfortably fit into your budget. While destination weddings are memorable, they can be a financial burden if you’re not careful.
  • Make sure people you want to be present at the wedding can travel to the destination.
  • Look at the legal requirements of travelling to a different country for a wedding if you intend to have your wedding outside Australia.
  • Arrange for travel and accommodations well in advance to avoid last minute problems and cancellations. Be sure to check the venue’s payment and cancellation policies and don’t hesitate to ask them questions if needed.

Civil ceremony

A civil ceremony is a wedding ceremony performed by an authorised Civil Celebrant who’s registered with the Federal Attorney General’s office. This is a great option for people who want to have a formal marriage ceremony without any kind of religious authority. In civil wedding ceremonies, the things you need to consider.

Tips to plan:

  • To apply for a civil ceremony in Australia, you need to be at least 18 years of age with a photo ID like a driver’s license or a passport. You might also have to make a statutory declaration to support your identity and evidence provided.
  • You need to file The Notice of Intended Marriage form, one month before you’re due to be married. There are exceptions like medical emergencies, errors, legal proceedings, etc, but it’s best to file the form in advance.
  • You’ll be married by the Civil Celebrant and asked to sign three different certificates to confirm your marriage.
  • The celebrant will register your marriage around 14 days after the ceremony is performed
Greek Wedding / Source: Iclickyou Photos

Cruise weddings

Cruise weddings can be a great deal of fun, especially if you love to travel and enjoy the sea. They’re also surprisingly easy to organise. Most cruise ships will offer a wedding package that includes everything from the ceremony and decor to the food and drinks. You won’t have to spend much time or effort to on the planning.

Tips to plan:

  • Find a cruise ship that fits into your budget and follows a route that’s most convenient for you. For example, if you and your loved ones can only spare two days for the wedding, choose a cruise that doesn’t venture far and can bring you back to your city within that time period.
  • Create a short guest list, especially if you intend to finance the entire trip. A lengthy guest list will be expensive and very difficult to manage. Prioritise your list and focus on people you want rather than the ones you feel obligated to call.
  • Arrange for a photographer instead of relying on the one provided by the cruise ship. You’ll want to document the entire trip instead of just the ceremony and a professional photographer can help with that.

Religious ceremony

Many people consider religion to be a vital aspect of their life and want to have a religious ceremony. Different religions have different customs and traditions. In fact, different factions of the same religion have different customs and traditions. For example, a Catholic marriage ceremony would be slightly different from a Protestant marriage ceremony.  Inter-religious marriages can be a challenge to plan as well. Here are some tips that can help.

Tips to plan:

  • Consider the requirements of your religious ceremony carefully. That will help you plan the wedding around the ceremony. You’ll know when you have your reception and what kind of food you can include in your wedding lunch or dinner.
  • Choose a church or temple according to your religious requirements. Most couples prefer to have their wedding at their local Church.
  • Your recessional and processional song options might be limited if you choose a religious wedding ceremony. This depends largely on the religious institution you have your wedding in. Some churches and temples are stricter than others.
  • You might also have to follow a dress code. This depends on how strict the church or temple is but some religious institutions will require that everyone who attends the wedding, follow a specific dress code.
Formal wedding / Source: Just B Photography

Formal wedding

Formal weddings are similar to “black tie” events. They’re luxurious, glamorous, and fashionable. If you love the allure of the red carpet, you’ll love the idea of a formal wedding. This wedding also has a dress code and men are usually required to wear black-tie and women need formal gowns and dresses. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you want a formal wedding.

Tips to plan:

  • Maintain the theme throughout the wedding day so everything from the wedding clothes to the catering is formal and elegant.
  • Make sure your wedding cards have a traditional and formal design. You’ll also need to mention that the wedding is a “black-tie” event to ensure your guests wear the right clothes and are prepared for the event.
  • Keep the music classic and refined. You can choose songs from the Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack era. That will help you maintain the formal wedding theme.
  • The decor should be soft and elegant with an almost monochromatic theme. Candle lights, chandeliers, white and pink roses, white satin decor, etc, will contribute to the formal and traditional theme of the wedding.

Contact local wedding planners

Military wedding

Military weddings have a special charm because people who serve their country deserve every bit of happiness they can find. Military weddings are different from traditional weddings because you need to follow some rules and formalities. Here are some things you should keep in mind.

Tips to plan:

  • Choose a military chapel or academy as your wedding venue. While other locations do work, military chapels or an academy will showcase your history and background. These venues will add a special touch to your wedding day.
  • Your next step is to arrange for an officiant who can formalise your marriage. If you get married in the military chapel, the chaplain will handle the ceremony. If you want to hire a civil chaplain or officiant, you should speak with them well in advance to discuss the ceremony and fees.
  • You need to respect the military rank during the wedding so all your guests should be seated accordingly. The highest ranking officers will be placed at the front and lower ranking offers at the back.
  • You will also need to follow the traditional military dress code. Grooms must wear their full-dress uniform. Brides have the option to choose between their full dress uniform or a wedding gown.

Wedding planning can be quite stressful but if you develop a strategy and know your limits, you can plan a beautiful and memorable day. You can also hire professional wedding planners to take the burden off your shoulders entirely and just enjoy your day. Wedding planners will still discuss the entire process with you to ensure the wedding theme and atmosphere suits your taste and preferences.

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What does a wedding planner do?

So you got engaged (congrats!), now what? As you begin the wedding planning process, it can feel a little overwhelming and couples can often get overwhelmed by choice. A decision you’ll need to make early on is whether or not to hire a wedding planner.

But what does a wedding planner actually do? To find out, we chatted with Natalie of EventZen, who after 8 years of wedding experience has a lot of sage advice to dish out. Read on for her insights on the industry, and advice for couples tying the knot during COVID times.

Natalie is a wedding planner & celebrant with over 8 years experience in the wedding industry / Source: EventZen

What exactly does a wedding planner do? 

A Wedding Planner is essentially a PA / personal assistant for your wedding day. We work with couples in the lead up to their wedding day, any time from 18 months to 1 month before. We offer different services such as Full or Partial planning, and Day of coordination.

I personally offer a month of service which allows me the time to develop a detailed run sheet, liaise with all the vendors and suppliers and help couples with final details and any last-minute bits and pieces that inevitably pop up. Planners will develop a budget for you, research suppliers, give you great options, save you money, bring your vision to life, make sure all details are covered, be the main point of contact, and take away the stress. Look at hiring a wedding planner as being an investment in your sanity! 

Why should you use a wedding planner vs plan on your own?

There are lots of reasons! Here’s a few:

  • You will save time – planning can feel like a part time job if you’re doing it yourself and can be exhausting. It can take anywhere between 80 – 250 hrs to plan a wedding. If you’re already working full time, hiring a planner is worth the investment, you don’t want to walk down the aisle stressed and feeling like a zombie!
  • You will have a professional on board – someone who has done so many different weddings and knows the drill. We know what to expect, good and bad and are well equipped to deal with any curve balls.  
  • We also have contacts. We know all of the best and most trusted professionals in the business and will hook you up with the right suppliers for your wedding. No prices are being hiked up because you mention the word wedding and are an unassuming bride! 
  • We won’t forget the details. If you haven’t planned a wedding before, you’ll quickly realise there are so many different aspects and endless tiny details to consider. A planner will ensure you don’t miss anything and that the process runs smoothly and you don’t feel overwhelmed. 
  • We are there for you to bounce ideas off! We are creatives who are in the know of all things on-trend, and that work (or don’t) for weddings. We will help you create the perfect vision for your day.

Do you need to be having a large wedding to use a wedding planner? 

Absolutely not! The most recent wedding I planned was for 30 people. I had 4 weeks to plan it from scratch as my clients were busy working and wanted to get hitched ASAP. I also plan elopements and that’s about as small as you’ll get! 

Contact local wedding planners

How far in advance should you start planning your wedding? 

I think the planning process should start anywhere from 8 – 12 months before. Locking in a venue and great suppliers such as photographers and a celebrant is good to do ASAP as the good ones get booked for months, sometimes years, in advance.

What are some of the most common mistakes couples make planning the big day? 

The number one mistake I hear of with people who don’t have a planner, is not having someone there to run their day. Even if you don’t have someone to assist in the pre-planning process, I cannot stress how important it is to have a coordinator on the day to run the show and be a main point of contact for all the suppliers, venue and guests. You don’t want anyone asking troubleshooting questions and stressing you out on the day – it goes so quickly and it’s so important to be present in the moment with your loved ones. 

Blowing the budget – not knowing how to allocate it properly. A good planner will always help you stick to your budget, keep you on track and if necessary bring you back to earth to keep your expectations realistic. 

Another common mistake is not having a wet weather backup plan; it’s like raaaaiiiiin on your wedding day! It’s not Ironic… it’s wet… and not great for hair and makeup! Also, not getting a videographer / good photographer – the day goes by so fast and memories fade. Your wedding photos and videos will allow you to watch in real-time and remember one of the most special occasions of your life.

Natalie suggests hiring a wedding planner, or at least an on-the-day coordinator to help ensure you can relax and enjoy the big day / Source: EventZen

Do you have a favourite wedding you’ve worked on? 

Oh that’s a tough one! Every wedding is so different and always so full of love – it’s hard to choose a favourite. I have been so blessed with all of my clients, they’re wonderful couples. I actually really enjoyed the last one I worked on, I really connected with my clients and I was their celebrant as well as their wedding planner. To be able to marry a couple after spending time with them and really getting to know them is such an honour. It gives me all the warm and fuzzies! 

Go-to advice for couples who just got engaged, and don’t know where to start?

Sit down and have a conversation together about what you want. What style you want, who you want there, where you want to do it. Then pick a date, set an ideal budget, and find a wonderful wedding planner! 

Any tips for couples planning a COVID wedding where restrictions are always changing?

Oh my heart goes out to all couples who are planning at this time – it’s hard enough as it is without all this uncertainty! My advice would be to make sure there is complete transparency and clarity between you, your venue, and your suppliers. Discuss possible alternative dates straight away, ask about their cut-off dates, read the fine print on their policies and see where they stand on reducing the number of guests. 

Reducing your guest list can be so hard, especially for large families, but if you can get the list reduced, this can give you a lot more flexibility and save you money. Keep everyone updated – so there is no confusion. Sadly, this is the new norm for now so until things settle, people will understand. Keep updated and check the WHO website and your local Government Health page for the restrictions in your area.

My last tip would be to breathe – you can do this! You are not alone. I am always here for a chat, support, and to help any couples navigate these strange times! 

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Planning the ultimate autumn wedding

Planning a wedding is a huge deal and can turn even the calmest of women into a so-called Bridezilla! A wedding often takes a good year of planning and preparation, everything from sourcing the right venue, picking the dress, choosing the perfect flowers, deciding on what food will be served and the kind of car you’ll arrive in style in, amongst a whole host of other decisions that have to be made. A great deal of brides-to-be look to take the stress out of the ‘wed-min’ by hiring the services of a wedding planner or coordinator to help them plan their big day.

As the Autumn season comes rolling in we speak to Gillian Hunt of Hunt & Heart Wedding Event Planners to get her expert advice on planning the ultimate Autumn Wedding.

Choosing a venue

For me your venue is your very first consideration.  Research, view and then BOOK as soon as you are clear that you have found your place!  Things to consider again are the style of wedding you are wanting.  For Autumn weddings I usually recommend having an indoor wedding as days are getting cooler and you don’t want your guests to freeze in an icy, windy outdoor setting.  The size of your wedding is probably the biggest determinant of where you should be booking.  There are a few things that I would be including on my list of questions to ask the venues:  

  • Are you allowed to style the venue to your own theme, or is the venue sticky about allowing you to have carte blanche with creating your mood?  
  • Do you have to use their catering and alcohol or can you DIY and choose your own caterers?
  • Is there a minimum spend for the event?  
  • Is the venue size appropriate for your guest numbers?  Too large and your guests will be dwarfed by the size of the room, too small and your dance floor might be sacrificed.

Hiring a photographer

My advice to brides is to book your photographer as soon as you have your venue confirmed.  Once your venue and date is locked in you should start looking for that photographer whose work best reflects the images and mood that you have in mind for your own photos.  Booking too early, before you have your venue confirmed, can mean that your date might change and your photographer may not be available or able to change your date which means you end up losing your security deposit.  Waiting too long may also mean that you don’t have the option of selecting the best photographer for your day.

Source: Toowoomba White Wedding and Event Hire

Which flowers are best for an Autumn wedding?

When choosing flowers for your Autumn wedding I would start with your colour palette and wedding theme.  A good wedding floral designer will work with you to create unique flower arrangements and bouquets that accessorise you the best.  Pinterest is a good place to start to develop an idea of your theme, but nothing beats working with your floral designer to create a unique look designed with you and your wedding in mind.

I always encourage my brides to go for flowers that are hardy, will last and will look stunning even when they are out of water for the day.  That being said, here in Australia we have such an abundance of beautiful native varieties that are guaranteed to make a statement.  I usually encourage my brides to use the old favourites – we can never go wrong with roses!!  And they are available all year round.  In addition I recommend Tulips, my favourite red Amaranthus to create those beautiful soft cascades, Carnations (yes they are definitely back in vogue and SO hardy), Daphne in pink, purple and white, strong and hardy Chrysanthemums in a range of colours, Freesias ( a little bit more expensive) Hyacinth (various colours) and the beautiful soft Snap Dragons.

What about food: Sit down meal or buffet?

There are three things that will keep your guests raving about how amazing your wedding was: great food, enough alcohol, and great entertainment.  So choosing your wedding food is top on your list of priorities.  It really doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as there is enough of it, and it is great quality.  From Brazilian BBQ and Paella pans, to formal seated dining, your budget will determine what you can afford, and your wedding theme will determine whether its canapes and cocktails, or seated and plated.

Hiring a car

Autumn weddings, whilst beautiful for lighting and great mild days, might also mean that the days are a little colder with the possibility of rain.  My advice to all my brides is – NO CONVERTIBLES – they may seem romantic but hey, the wind just messes with your hair and makeup which is not really worth the stress.  I would choose a wedding car style based on the style and theme of your wedding:  wedding combis are a great idea for beach weddings; vintage Rolls Royces are a must if yours is the big formal affair; stretch limos work wonderfully for a large bridal party – you get the idea.  

Source: Amazing Limousines

Your bridal party numbers are also a big consideration – how many of you will there be? Do you all want to have the fun of travelling together, or would you rather multiple cars with the bride travelling in style?

Contact local wedding car hire experts

What are your top money saving tips?

Prioritise those things you absolutely HAVE to have – dress, venue, food, alcohol, photographer, entertainment, flowers – and start to cut costs on items that aren’t essential.  For example – instead of spending thousands of dollars on invitations, use an online print service combined with email invitations.  Most guests will post your invitation on their fridge to remind them of the date, and it’s into the bin after that. Create a budget, rework it and rework it and then … stick to it no matter what!

Advice to brides on staying calm?

Draw up a project plan, understand what you can achieve alone and where you need assistance.  Don’t rely on friends to get the big things done – it usually creates a huge amount of stress the closer you get to the wedding. Hire a wedding planner or day of wedding coordinator.  Don’t sweat the small stuff!!  And take good care of yourself. Probably most importantly – don’t lose sight of the fact that after the wedding there is a beautiful marriage ahead – stay close to your fiancé and share the load.

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4 Australian winter wedding destinations

Having your wedding during the cooler months may seem odd at first, but if you’re looking to host a unique and unforgettable wedding, then winter is your winning month. It can also be a lot cheaper to host your wedding in the winter-time, as it avoids peak season, and that means you’ll probably have more flexibility and freedom when it comes to hiring the best professionals in the business.

A winter wedding can be a magical event / Source: Peter J de Vries Celebrant

While Australia is known for its heat and a glistening endless coastline, there are four beautiful alpine resorts that are picture perfect to host your winter wedding:

1. Thredbo, NSW

Thredbo is set 500km west of Sydney, and depicts a European-style ski village. The Denman is a hotel that boasts 4 stars, 33 rooms and a 55 seat restaurant, along with a day spa and cocktail bar, and acts as the perfect venue to get hitched in winter. It’s perfect if you’d prefer a more intimate affair, and the hotel provides wedding packages too.

2. Charlotte Pass, NSW

Charlotte Pass is Australia’s highest village, and is found within the Mt Kosciuszko National Park. During winter months, the village is completely covered in snow and is amongst one of the quieter ski resorts in Australia. The Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel boasts the aesthetics of a medieval castle and provides sweeping views of the Charlotte Pass village. The chalet can accommodate for up to 120 guests, and provides a restaurant that can host 35 people and an inner lounge space for 85 people.

3. Falls Creek, VIC

Source: Jason Robins Photography

Falls Creek is located 350km east of Melbourne and is at the base of Mount Beauty in Alpine National Park. Falls Creek is a fully serviced resort that offers a selection of restaurants, hotels and nightlife. The Quay West Resort & Spa is an apartment-style property, providing an uninterrupted, breathtaking view of the mountains from 63 luxury suites, a five-room day spa and four different venues available for private hire that can accommodate 20 to 100 seated guests.

4. Mount Buller, VIC

Only a three hour drive from Melbourne, Mount Buller has Victoria’s largest ski resort. There’s a range of accommodation to choose, from simple dorms and lodges to luxurious and opulent retreats such as the Mount Buller Chalet; containing 61 rooms and penthouse suites, a day spa and a restaurant area that can seat up to 150 people.

Winter wedding ideas

There’s a certain charm in having a winter wedding. It can be a magical experience with cosy and decorative touches that are unique to the colder seasons.

Traditionally, wedding flowers boast bright florals and decorations but for a winter wedding, there’s charm in holding a bouquet of earthy florals with unique colours such as rich reds, leafy greens, muted greys and warm oranges.

Opt for warm, wintry tones in your decor and florals for a winter wedding / Source: Shutterstock

A simple string of fern can add an elegant touch to a wedding invitation and pinecones tied to a gold ribbon can hang off the back of guests’ chairs or complement the candles on your wedding table. You can also bring some light to the decor with fairy lights.

wedding-2.2

Wrap up

Planning for your wedding to take place in winter doesn’t have to be dreary or dull, quite like the weather. Venturing to these alpine resorts will assure a unique wedding that will make the day even more special and memorable.

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Australian wedding costs 2021

The highly anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is estimated to have cost the Royal Family a staggering $58.3 million. Whilst it’s unlikely you have the budget of the Windsors, you can still make your wedding a royal success through some careful planning and research.

Here, we’ll breakdown the average cost of a wedding in Australia, and look at what’s trending for those looking to tie the knot.

Total wedding cost

The average wedding cost in Australia is around $51,000. The average cost of wedding venue hire is around $13,000, making it the highest cost in the overall budget. Finding the wedding venue is one of the first steps in the wedding planning process and due to popular venues being booked up far in advance, should be locked in around 12-18 months prior to the date of the ceremony.

Venue hire typically is the highest cost in the overall wedding budget / Source: Facial Beauty

Wedding dress

The next biggest expenditure is of course the dress, coming in at an average cost of $5,180. Many bride’s are now taking Ms. Markle’s lead and opting for two dresses; changing out of their traditional ball gown style dress for the ceremony to a more fun cocktail style dress for the reception. Brides are also going for less traditional dresses, coloured dresses such as, blush pink, mauve and rose gold being popular choices. Dresses with statement design features such as pockets, large bows and middle splits are also big in 2021.

Catering

The average Aussie wedding has 96 guests, with $9,000 being the typical amount spent on food and alcohol. Depending on your personal tastes and theme of your wedding, there are many different catering options you can choose from. Aside from the traditional three course meal, food stations serving quick bites like sushi, pizza, tacos and mini burgers are becoming increasingly popular, these work great if you have a large guest list and want to achieve a buzzy, social atmosphere at your reception.

Other popular trends include desert and cocktail bar setups where guests can make their own cocktails and lolly goody-bags. For country style weddings eco-menus are very in vogue, focusing on seasonal, organic and locally produced food served family style.

Photography

Wedding photographers typically spend around 8 hours capturing all of the magical moments from the day. Hiring a reputable photographer can cost around $2,600 on average, it’s important to hire a photographer that specialises in the style of imagery that you want to achieve, after all these are memories that you will want to hold onto forever. Natural and candid looking photos are popular in 2021.

Natural, candid wedding photography is the most popular style / Source: Little Glimpses

Hair & makeup

Brides typically spend 60-90 minutes getting ‘wedding-ready’ with the help of a professional hair and makeup artist. In 2017 Pinterest recorded a 1247% increase in searches for bridal ‘messy updo’ hairstyles, indicating that Australian brides are preferring a more natural, romantic look than in years gone by. Dramatic eyelashes and glossy lips are the look brides want in 2021.

Entertainment

The average cost of hiring a DJ or wedding band is around $1,600, with Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking out loud’ being the top first dance song choice for Aussie newlyweds. Other popular entertainment add-ons include photo booths, magicians and live caricaturists.

Transport

Vintage, classic cars like Rolls Royce and Bentley are the most choice of wedding transportation. Costs for wedding car hire is typically around the $830 mark but is dependent on the amount of cars needed in the fleet.

Contact local wedding planners

Flowers

2021 is the year of wearable florals with delicate, jewellry-like floral headpieces being very on trend. Seasonal bouquets made up of wild arrangements of bold colours and greenery are very popular, for that just picked fresh from the garden look. Hanging floral arrangements and floral ceremony arches are also in demand in 2021. Couples spend on average $1,500 on wedding flowers, however this number can significantly increase for elaborate, large scale floral interior decorations.

Whatever your budget is Oneflare have access to expert wedding service providers, from wedding planners, photographers, celebrants, hair and makeup artists, florists, DJs and transport specialists.