Lisa became a celebrant because she wanted to make a difference on one of the most important days of one’s life. It all started after Lisa and her husband tied the knot in 2009. She hired a celebrant based on good recommendations, but after the ceremony, she was left feeling like “just a number” due to the lack of consideration for her unique, individual needs.
With this poor experience, Lisa enrolled in a Celebrants course and from there, her business, Beautiful Weddings by Lisa was born. Lisa vowed to listen and learn about every couple, hear their story and make her service as bespoke as possible. In addition to certifying marriage, she offers assistance in vow creation, something she feels very passionate about.
“A vow is a promise, and the most valuable thing you can give another human is your promised word.”
Just 6 months after becoming a qualified celebrant, Lisa relocated to Melbourne from Sydney. Starting a business was hard enough, let alone in a new state, so of course, Lisa struggled to get her name out there and find quality leads. She took to social media but found this method of marketing very time-consuming. She needed to find a more effective lead generator to provide her with the growth and success she was looking for.
After moving to Brisbane a couple of years later, the memories of her first relocation began setting in. The thought of starting that establishment process all over again led her to seek help in the form of digital service platforms. That’s when she found Oneflare, and her business finally started to grow.
After signing up with Oneflare, Lisa has been able to forget the stress of marketing and has built a thriving customer base. A great number of these clients have been referrals from other happy newlyweds. The user-friendly Oneflare site and mobile app have made it easy for Lisa to engage customers and gain valuable reviews.
With the help of Oneflare connecting her to quality customers across Brisbane. Lisa was not only able to get her brand out there but she was nationally recognised for her stellar service as a celebrant. She took home “Brides Choice Awards for Best Celebrant” in 2019 and has been placing in celebrant competitions ever since.
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.
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!
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.
Your wedding venue plays a vital role in the overall ambience of your wedding. If the venue, theme and decor work well together, the atmosphere will be welcoming and unique. Most couples choose traditional wedding venues like halls, churches and gardens, but it doesn’t hurt to think out-of-the-box.
There’s something out there for every budget, preference and requirement, you just need to find what is right for you.
Outdoor wedding venues
Outdoor weddings have their own unique charm. The environment is free, open, social and bright. You can get married surrounded by greenery and nature, in a bright and cheerful morning sky or under the starlit evening sky. There is no shortage of nature’s beauty in Australia, so you’re sure to find a beautiful venue for your wedding. Here are some options for you to consider:
Glen Erin at Lancefield – What can be more romantic than getting married in a vineyard? You can enjoy excellent wines, wonderful food and stunning scenery at once. The vineyard is also a great backdrop for wedding photographs, so all your wedding pictures will look stunning and unique. The Glen Erin vineyard is located at the foothills of the Macedon Ranges and is merely 35 minutes away from the Melbourne airport.
Kingfisher Bay Resort – Imagine a beautiful wedding with a gorgeous backdrop of crystal clear blue sea and white sand. That’s exactly what you get at Kingfisher Bay Resort. This venue is an excellent choice for people who are willing to splurge on a destination wedding and want to make it a day/night event. The resort is located on Fraser Island, which is listed as a World Heritage site. You can host 250+ guests at this beach-front location, so it’s ideal for people who want a great outdoor wedding to enjoy with their family and friends.
Longitude 131° – Australia is known for its outback and rugged natural beauty, so why not make this beauty a part of your wedding memories? Longitude 131° provides an immersive wedding experience. You can enjoy the comfort of luxury tented pavilions and the flavour of expertly prepared food and drinks in this ancient and majestic land. You can get married with the mighty Uluru in the background and share the cultural heritage and history of this place with your family and friends on your special day.
Orso Bayside Reception – Not everyone wants to travel all the way to Ayer’s Rock for a wedding ceremony. Some couples prefer a more modern and less rugged wedding style, this makes Orso Bayside in Sydney a perfect choice. This is a waterfront wedding reception venue. You can enjoy ample natural light, watch the boats travel on the water and enjoy the constant flow of movement here. This venue can accommodate 250.
Terara Riverside Gardens – There’s something very charming and old-school about garden weddings. You’re surrounded by greenery and flowers in full bloom, sheltered by large and ancient trees, getting married under a bright blue or starlit sky. The Terara Riverside Gardens are located 2 hours away from Sydney by the Shoalhaven River in Terara. The location ensures this place is private, quiet and undisturbed. You can have an intimate and beautiful ceremony here.
Outdoor weddings are wonderful, but some couples want something different for their day. Australia has so many places that can offer unique and interesting wedding experiences. If you want your wedding ceremony to be truly memorable, you should consider the locations mentioned below:
St Josephs Guesthouse – This venue is located in Sydney and was a place of worship at one point in time. The owners transformed this Catholic Church into a guesthouse and it became one of the most unusual and interesting wedding venues in Sydney. This location is perfect for a small, intimate wedding with just close friends and family.
The Yard at The Lock Up – Ever wanted to get married at a police station and an old prison property? This venue was Newcastle’s Police Station from 1861 to 1982, which lends it a unique vibe. The venue is modern and has all the comforts you can expect from wedding venues, but it certainly has an entirely different vibe to it. You can see traces of the old graffiti and have to pass through a solid iron gate to enter the property.
Shene Estate & Distillery – This venue provides a truly unique and customised wedding experience. It is located in Southern Tasmania, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The owners work with local vendors to provide the best meals and an intimate atmosphere. This is an excellent venue for people who want something private and beautiful in a rustic setting.
The Apple Shed – The Apple Shed is a large barn located in Southern Tasmania. It has a bar, cafe, museum and an expansive outdoor area. This outdoor area has a roof and fire pit, so you’ll be very comfortable and warm in the space. The Apple Shed also provides excellent food and some truly spectacular cider.
Glasshaus Inside – If you want a venue that’s located in a city, you should consider the Glasshaus Inside. Essentially, it is an urban warehouse plant nursery with an industrial vibe and plenty of potted plants. It’s located near Melbourne CBD and is easily accessible. Your guests won’t have any problems trying to find a comfortable place to stay for the wedding
If you plan to have an actual wedding in a church or other such locations, you don’t need to spend money on a venue that provides both. Here are some venues that host only receptions:
Villa Blanca – Villa Blanca is conveniently located in the heart of Bankstown and can easily house over 400 guests, which makes it a good option for large weddings. The venue has a very modern and sophisticated vibe with the best lighting, audio-systems and ample parking space. Your guests will be happy, comfortable and have a great time.
Colbee Centre – This is a highly rated reception venue and has been voted the best in NSW for the 5th time. It’s located in Nurragingy Reserve and has a man-made dock, fountain, ample greenery and even a hardwood dance floor with fairy lights. This reception venue is perfect for a light-hearted and playful wedding.
Manly Golf Club – The Australian Bridal Industry Association once voted Manly Golf Club as the best reception location in NSW. This venue certainly hasn’t lost any of its charm since then. It was established back in 1903, so it has a traditional and elegant vibe to it. The wedding reception is open to members as well as non-members.
Contact wedding planners
Intimate wedding venues
Not only are small weddings with a limited number of guests affordable, they’re also easier to organise. You just need to arrange for transport and accommodation for a select number of people. Smaller weddings are also more intimate and personal. The focus is on the couple instead of the party and entertainment. This adds a new meaning to the entire ceremony. Here are some venues that can fit in perfectly with the intimate wedding vibe:
The Boat House – The Boat House is located in Barton, Canberra and provides a beautiful and intimate setting. The venue sits on the shore of a lake, has parklands and is only minutes away from the city. The atmosphere here is quiet and serene, which makes it the ideal place for intimate weddings. The location is beautiful and the food is excellent so your family and friends will truly enjoy themselves at this location.
Dunbar House – Dunbar House is small, elegant, and charming. It can easily house 110 guests and provides a welcoming atmosphere to all. You can enjoy great views of the Sydney Harbour, soak in the serenity of the property and exchange your wedding vows under an ancient fig tree.
Glengariff Historic Estate – This is one of the oldest estates in Australia and the oldest in Queensland. The property has been around for over 130 years and has hosted several weddings in its lifetime. On an average, it hosts around 150 events each year, with great success. Visitors call the estate a photographer’s paradise because there are over 30 different locations that can provide excellent photography opportunities. This property can house 20 to 200 guests comfortably so your wedding can be as intimate or grand as you want it to be.
Allegro Function Centre – This venue is located in the Hills District close to Sydney and sits on 5 acres of lush green landscaping. You can enjoy gorgeous bushland views, peer up at large ancient trees and start your new life surrounded by nature. The venue is a beautiful Mediterranean villa with high ceilings, a large fireplace, exposed wood and lime-washed walls. The venue has a very rustic yet elegant ambience to it.
How to book a wedding venue
Most wedding venues allow online reservations or have customer care numbers. All you need to do is contact them via their website or on their listed number to know more about the reservation process. Here are some things you should keep in mind.
Decide your budget – You can have a beautiful wedding ceremony at a wonderful location without burning a hole in your pocket. When you’re planning your wedding, make a list of priorities and determine where your venue ranks on the list. If it’s somewhere near the top, you can assign a larger budget to it.
Time – Most wedding venues expect you to book date months in advance, especially if you want to get married during the wedding season. It’s a good idea to start making your enquiries about 6 to 8 months in advance. If you intend to get married during spring or summer, you might want to start making enquiries earlier. All the venues mentioned on this list are quite popular so they won’t sit vacant for too long.
Decide what you want – Before you choose the venue, decide what kind of wedding theme you want. Do you prefer a small ceremony with just a handful of family and friends or a grand event at a vineyard? Would you prefer being in the comfort of an indoor location or want to savour the beauty of the outdoors? Discuss this with your partner and decide which theme best suits you.
Look at reviews – It’s a good idea to look at reviews, articles, pictures and other sources of information to create a shortlist of possibilities. You won’t have time to tour and inspect a large number of venues when you are planning your wedding. Once you’ve created the shortlist, you can contact the venue.
Prepare a list of questions – Be prepared with a list of questions regarding the venue location, capacity, food, music arrangements, decor options, parking space, etc. You should also ask for a quote and make sure all expenses are included and described in the quote. You can compare the cost estimate from different venues carefully and determine what suits your requirements and budget best.
Tour the place – Narrow the list down further and tour the venues at your convenience. You can look at places that provide a good backdrop for photographs, consider where you’ll exchange vows and other such factors.
You should also take the time to understand the terms and conditions related to bookings, fees, cancellations, etc, before you make your choice. Reading the fine print will help you avoid problems later.
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!
