10 MONTHS TO GO

8. Plan an engagement photoshoot-

See if your wedding photographer can offer an engagement photoshoot at a reasonable cost. This would create a bond between you guys and also prepare you for the big day and answer a lot of your questions that generally just stay unanswered. I have compiled a guide here that will help you prepare for an engagement shoot: 15 + Tips for a gorgeous engagement photo shoot.

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

9. Create a wedding website and hashtag (#)-

This can be easily achieved by using a web platform such as squarespace, wix etc. The images from the engagement photoshoot would help create a beautiful site. The hastag (#) will help share images and experiences from the day by all your guests and loved ones.

10. Finalise venue-

Lock in the venue, this will make it feel truly special and real and will give you energy to storm through a whole heap of other arrangements.

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

11. Finalise suppliers-

Celebrant | Photographer | Videographer | Caterer | Florist | Musicians | DJ | Cake | Decor | Photo Booth | Hair & Make-up. Create an excel document to keep track of the advance payments you have made to each one of them. This document will help keep you on top of your expenses and control your budget.

12. Start researching your wedding dress-

Producing a wedding dress can take anywhere between 3-6months sometimes even more so this is a good time to start researching. The below link will give you tips and get you started with your wedding dress shopping.

REAL WEDDING

A GORGEOUS MALVERN ELOPEMENT | ST CLOUD | SOPHIE + NATHAN

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

13. Book Honeymoon-

Covid Restrictions might not let you travel overseas however there are heaps of local and national spots that can be amazing to travel and explore. Pick a place of comfort or plan an adventure, its going to be beautiful.

14. Book Airbnb venues for getting ready-

Airbnb offers some exquisite choices, pick a spacious and moody place that has stunning decor. Remember this is where it all starts, you set the tone for the day here, your hair and make up is done here, your bridesmaids prepare you here, this is where you get in the dress and this is where the photographer starts his day. So be thoughtful and creative with your choice. https://www.airbnb.com.au/

8 MONTHS TO GO

15. Shop for your wedding dress-

You can make this an incredibly fun and exciting experience, take a deep breath and tell yourself i am going to thoroughly enjoy finding my wedding dress. I have compiled a list of steps that will come handy while researching your wedding dress- 12+ Ultimate wedding dress shopping tips

16. Finalise guest list-

Fine tune your guest list and bring it to a number that best corresponds to your vision and venue’s capacity.

17. Send save the dates-

You can both email and mail save the dates card so that way you are double covered and have added the date on people’s google calendar. Make sure each guest who received the save the date also gets the invitation card when they are ready so it would be a good idea to be organised and have an excel sheet with each guest on it.

18. Create gift registry at 3 national retailers-

Add the gift registry links to your wedding website and share it with your guests. Here are some links that will help you get started with this gift registry.

David Jones | Myers

19. Organise tasting with caterer-

This is a good time to organise a tasting with your caterer and get an idea of what offerings are available. Make heaps of notes, you might be able to finalise some of the dishes on the same day cause they would taste so yum.

REAL WEDDING

THE GEORGE BALLROOM WEDDING | ST KILDA | GINA + COLM

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

6 MONTHS TO GO

20. Shop for wedding bands-

Egetal is one of my fav places for wedding rings and bands, its unique and sassy. Packed with choices and independent designers and artists. Their shop is in Flinders lane in the heart of Melbourne CBD

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

21. Research outfits for bridal party-

Make your bridal party part of the process, share their opinions and ideas, stay close to your color theme, make it a fun day outing with the girls and the boys.

22. Arrange wedding day transportation -

For country weddings this can be quite helpful for the guests specially if you have elderly guests and will surely get you some bonus points.

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

23. Research Grooms outfit-

More and more grooms are choosing to be casual and really flexible in their approach towards the wedding day attire which is an absolute delight and translates beautifully in the wedding photos. Once again be true to yourself, your style and aesthetics and listen to your and only your heart while being open to tips from close associates and you will do well.

24. Research wedding invitations-

This is a good time to start looking into designs of wedding invitations that best describe your style and theme. Here are some interesting choices: Minted | Artifact Uprising | Greenvelope

25. Finalise wedding dress-

Once you have finalised the wedding dress you will feel light as feather and you will start to dream and get more creative so congratulate yourself upon reaching this milestone and go out and have a drink with your loved ones…

REAL WEDDING

RUSTIC WAREHOUSE WEDDING AT SUBSTATION | MELBOURNE | JULIA + NICK

4 MONTHS TO GO

25. Finalise Grooms Outfit-

Whether its a tuxedo or a fine linen suit, get into it and get a good feel of it, make sure you are comfortable and make sure it has the oomph!

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

26. One final tasting with the caterer-

This tasting is for finalising the menu so be switched on and nail it.

27. Pick the cake-

Pick flavours that excite you and your guests, a color palette that goes with your wedding theme and adding a bit of floral touch makes it all the more refined and elegant

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

28. Place order for invitations cards and banners-

What colors appeal you? What design aesthetics speak to you"? The touch of that particular paper and it weight in your hands, how does it feel?

29. Plan your menu-

You have had a final tasting and by now you are well aware of the offerings by your caterer. Now is a good time to finalise the menu with all its detail.

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

30. Organise all legal aspects with your Celebrant-

Work out all legalities with your Celebrant and make sure it’s all covered with clarity and you have awareness and a good understanding of all the paperwork.

3 MONTHS TO GO

31. Write your Vows-

Make it intimate, romantic, witty, heartfelt, personal and truly emotional. Here are some beautiful poems for your wedding vows- 8 LOVE POEMS BY RUMI FOR YOUR WEDDING VOWS

32. Schedule rehearsal with your Celebrant-

This will get you into the groove things, it will all start to feel real, have gun guys

33. Start arranging your marriage license-

Your Celebrant might already be helping you with this however if this is part of your task list then get on top of it.

34. Research and finalise wedding gifts for the guests-

What are you and your friends into? Plants, Chocolates, Fine exotic honey, Essential oils, Beautiful candle. This is a little something to show your guests how appreciative you are for their love and honourable presence.

REAL WEDDING

YARRA VALLEY WEDDING | YERING STATION | JOSIE + TIM

35. Mail Invitations-

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step- Lao Tzu. Start posting invitations and put a whole lot of love into it, the one who has got better handwriting gets to write on the cards. If you are the artsy kind then personalise the invitations with a little artwork secretly placed in the envelope for your guests.

36. Finalise bridal party outfits-

Consult your bridal party, pick the best from the options you had chosen earlier, head out with them and make a day out of it…

37. Attend dress fittings and alterations-

You are now only a step away from your dream dress, its truly special!

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

38. Attend the hair and make-up trial-

Have 2-3 hair and make-up styles ready with image examples for your make-up artist. Take her feedback and go by your gut feeling.

2 MONTHS TO GO

38. Catch up with your florist

Get your florist to give you a demonstration and some examples of the flowers that are going to be used on your wedding day. Be clear with your choices and try and not get confused with to many options, remember less can be more, its about how your bring it all together and present it in a charming and charismatic way.

REAL WEDDING

LANCEMORE MACEDON RANGES WEDDING | COCO + MICHAEL

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

39. Share playlist with bands and musicians

Together in bed one night in the midst of a pillow fight get this list sorted and make it fun by singing along few of the tunes. You can find some inspiration here: Brides.com

40. Start preparations for the first dance

Cha cha cha

41. Gifts for parents and bridal party

Be thoughtful, this is your way of showing gratitude and love and more personal this is the more touching it will be for your loved ones.

42. Sort out Bridal accessories:

Shoes| Jewellery | Hair Pieces | Bouquet etc.

43. Sort out Groom’s accessories:

Shoes | Ties | Bow Ties | Pocket Squares | Socks etc.

Images- Rohit Jhawar Photography

REAL WEDDING

STUNNING PRINCE DECK WEDDING | YVETTE + GREG

1 MONTH TO GO

44. Finalise the wedding photography schedule-

Possibly have a face to face meeting with your photographer and draw a timeline for the day. Example Schedule: Boys getting ready | Girls getting ready | Ceremony | Family Photos | Locations Photos | Receptions formalities: Cake Cutting | First Dance | Father Daughter Dance | Speeches etc.

45. How is the prep for first dance going?

More Cha cha cha time needed i guess!

46. Arrange vendor payments-

Refer to your excel sheet and make pending payments, this will show how organised your are.

47. Finalise seating arrangements-

Brainstorm one afternoon and draw a detailed chart, go out for some burgers and chips afterwards as a reward. You will find some digital tools on this link that will be immensely handy for finalising seating arrangements: Brides.com

48. Finalise dress fitting

Make sure any last minute alterations are now finalised and dealt with in a satisfactory manner.

49. Fine tune everything with vendors

Compose an email with greetings for your vendors, say Hello! request any last minute changes and see where they are at

50. Follow up guests who have failed to respond to the final RSVP

51. Family photos List

Have all permutations and combinations ready and share it with your Photographer. Assign it to someone bossy within the family on the wedding day so it can be executed flawlessly and in a timely manner.

52. Create your table plan and share the final guest list with venue manager

You are nearly there, take a deep breath, smile and celebrate what you have achieved so far.

53. Book a massage session for both of yours for the week before the wedding to have a truly relaxing time

54. Make sure all bookings are on track for the Honeymoon

REAL WEDDING

RUSTIC COLLINWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM WEDDING | JENA + TIM

A week bfore the wedding

• Arrange a little surprise gift and a thoughtful letter ready for your lover first thing for the morning of the wedding day.

• Send a text message mid-week to your photographer and celebrant to see all is on track.

• A quick call to the venue manager to see all is as per planned and provide them with the final head count.

• Have all gifts for bridal party and parents wrapped and ready for the big day.

• Share the wedding day schedule with bridal party and close family members

• If there is rain on the cards then have clear umbrellas ready, they would come in really handy for the location photo shoot.

• If its going to be an overly sunny day then see if you can arrange for the ceremony spot to be relocated to a shady spot, your guests will be deeply gratified by this thoughtful gesture.

• Neatly arrange the wedding clothes and accessories.

• Have the family photos list sorted.

• Pack bags for the honeymoon

• How is the first dance coming along?

• It’s time to relax and have that beautiful massage you guys booked a month ago.

• Practice the vows and learn it by heart, if not all at least the witty and emotional bits

• Create a wedding photography shot list

REAL WEDDING

BALLARAT VINEYARD WEDDING | QUOIN HILL WINERY | AMY + MICHAEL

night bfore the wedding

• Be prepared to be a guest at your own wedding, this will let you make the most of your gorgeous wedding day and at times help you see the celebrations from the outside while being on the inside…

• Pick the phone and give a call to your partner, tell them how much you love them and how much this means to you.

• Prepare a little list of last minute things that need to be organised and executed on the wedding morning.

• Be centred, if something has not gone as per plan don’t let that bother you, think of the amazing things you guys have achieved this far in arranging this mammoth affair. The more you be positive the more joy and love will flow in your veins

• Make sure you have a good nights rest, at least 8 hours of lovely sleep, it will replenish you immensely. A wedding day is full on, give yourself the best start right from the word go.

• You are all set to make the most of your dream wedding day, go on, have a blast…

HANDY tips.

• Delegate tasks and have a clear understanding of who is helping with what. You could have two seperate sheets one for yourself and one for the groom with all the jobs clearly outlined. Do it as a team, you are going to achieve so much together with so much love, passion and drive.

• Arrange a gelato cart- It could be a lovely dessert option

• Research wedding lawn games- Jenga, Ring Toss, Noughts & Crosses, Mega Dominoes. My personal favourite is the Bocce Ball. Here are some inspirational sites- Social Mingles | Brides.com

• Arrange an intimate musical performance by a professional artist.

• Arrange a caravan bar for an outdoor venue- Its casual and inviting.

• How about a sparkling exit? Wedding sparklers can be an iconic memory to mark the end of a beautiful day of celebrations in grand style and below is an ultimate guide on Wedding Sparklers prepared by “Libba” who is an Industry leader in this field:

  https://www.sparklersonline.com/ultimate-wedding-sparkler-guide/

• Order an additional pair of comfortable shoes, it would come really handy for location photos and walking at the beach and forests.

• Research wedding photography poses that resonate with your style

• If you are on a tight budget then see if you can let go off videography and research photographers that offer affordable wedding photography