The Complete Australian Wedding Planning Guide: From Engagement to Wedding Day

Written by: Michael Lee | Consumer Research, Brighton Savoy

Last Updated September 5, 2026

The Complete Australian Wedding Planning Guide 2026: From Engagement to Wedding Day

Congratulations, you’re engaged.

Now what?

Planning a wedding should be exciting, but it’s also one of those experiences where you suddenly discover there are hundreds of decisions you didn’t know existed.

Where should we get married?

How much should we spend?

How many people should we invite?

When should we book a celebrant?

Do we need a wedding planner?

DJ or band?

How early do you order a wedding dress?

What happens if it rains?

How much food is enough?

Who organises the seating plan?

And somewhere along the way you may find yourself having a serious conversation about the colour of napkins.

The good news is that you don’t need to organise everything at once.

A well-planned wedding usually comes down to making the important decisions in roughly the right order.

Brighton Savoy has been involved with Melbourne weddings for more than half a century. For decades, our family operated Brighton Savoy as a beachfront hotel, reception venue and function centre in Brighton.

We worked with couples, families, celebrants, photographers, videographers, florists, DJs, bands, cake makers, stylists and just about every other type of wedding supplier imaginable.

The physical Brighton Savoy no longer operates as a wedding venue. Today we use that experience, along with ongoing research, to help couples make more informed wedding decisions.

And if there’s one thing all those weddings taught us, it’s this:

The best wedding isn’t necessarily the one that costs the most. It’s the one that reflects the couple, gets the important things right and allows everyone, including the couple themselves, to enjoy the day.

This Australian wedding planning guide takes you from engagement through to the wedding day.

Wedding Planning Checklist: The Quick Version

If you want the entire process in one place before we get into the detail, here’s a useful starting point.

When	What to organise
18–12 months before	Budget, guest numbers, wedding style, date, venue, celebrant
12–9 months before	Photographer, videographer, DJ or band, wedding planner, attire
9–6 months before	Catering, florist, cake, transport, accommodation, hair and makeup
6–3 months before	Invitations, menu, ceremony details, styling, wedding rings, honeymoon
3–1 months before	RSVPs, seating plan, run sheet, speeches, supplier confirmations
Final month	Final numbers, dietary requirements, payments, fittings, weather plan
Final week	Confirm suppliers, pack essentials, delegate responsibilities
Wedding day	Stop organising and enjoy your wedding
Afterwards	Thank-yous, photographs, reviews and remaining administration

This isn’t a rigid timetable.

Some couples plan their wedding over two years.

Others successfully organise everything in three or six months.

But if you have the luxury of time, beginning 12 to 18 months ahead generally provides more choice, particularly for popular Melbourne venues, photographers, celebrants and Saturday dates.

Where Do You Start When Planning a Wedding?

Before you start looking at flowers, dresses, suits, cakes or table decorations, establish four things:

1. Your approximate budget
2. Your approximate number of guests
3. Your preferred wedding date or season
4. The kind of wedding you actually want

These decisions affect almost everything else.

Your guest numbers influence your venue.

Your venue may determine your available dates.

Your date determines supplier availability.

And your budget influences almost every decision after that.

It’s very easy to begin wedding planning by scrolling through Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok and saving hundreds of beautiful ideas.

There’s nothing wrong with inspiration.

But first, work out what you’re actually planning.

1. Decide What Kind of Wedding You Want

Before talking about suppliers, take some time to talk to each other.

What do you imagine when you picture your wedding?

Perhaps it’s:

an elegant formal reception
a relaxed cocktail wedding
a restaurant celebration
a beach ceremony
a Yarra Valley winery wedding
a Mornington Peninsula wedding
a garden ceremony
a private-property wedding
an intimate dinner for 30
a large celebration for 200
a multicultural wedding
a destination wedding
a daytime wedding
something completely unconventional

Don’t start with what your parents expect or what social media tells you a wedding should look like.

Start with the two of you.

A useful exercise is for each person to name their three most important things.

One partner might say:

Food, music and having everyone together.

The other might say:

Photography, a beautiful ceremony and an amazing venue.

You’ve already learned a great deal about where your budget and attention should go.

2. Set a Realistic Wedding Budget

Creating a spreadsheet isn’t particularly romantic.

It’s also one of the smartest things you’ll do.

Work out what you’re genuinely comfortable spending before signing contracts.

Discuss:

how much you can contribute
whether your families are contributing
whether family contributions come with expectations
how much you can realistically save
whether you’re prepared to borrow
what your absolute spending ceiling is

Your total wedding budget may need to cover:

venue
ceremony
catering
drinks
celebrant
photographer
videographer
DJ or band
wedding planner or coordinator
wedding dress
suits
alterations
hair and makeup
flowers
styling
invitations
wedding cake
wedding rings
transport
accommodation
gifts
hire equipment
honeymoon
miscellaneous expenses

If you’re establishing your budget, Brighton Savoy’s Australian Wedding Cost Guide 2026 is worth reading alongside this article.

Build in a contingency

Don’t allocate every available dollar immediately.

Weddings have a remarkable ability to generate extra costs during the final few months.

Delivery charges, dress alterations, supplier meals, extra guests, transport changes, overtime and last-minute purchases can all creep in.

Spend according to your priorities

There’s no universal rule saying you must spend a certain percentage on flowers, photography or entertainment.

If food is incredibly important to you, prioritise it.

If you’ll treasure your photographs forever, allocate accordingly.

If you want the reception to become one enormous party, don’t leave the entertainment budget until everything else has been booked.

And before spending thousands on tiny decorative details, read Brighton Savoy’s guide to What Wedding Guests Really Care About.

One of the strongest lessons from years of hospitality is that people usually remember experiences more than objects.

3. Create Your Initial Guest List

You don’t need the final guest list at this stage.

You need an approximation.

There’s an enormous planning difference between 45 guests and 180.

Guest numbers affect:

venue + catering + beverages + furniture + invitations + transport + accommodation + overall budget.

Try creating three lists.

Must invite

Immediate family, closest friends and the people you genuinely can’t imagine celebrating without.

Would love to invite

Extended family, friends, colleagues and other important people.

If numbers allow

More distant relatives, acquaintances, broader work circles and other people you’d enjoy having there.

It may feel ruthless, but it makes venue and budget decisions much easier.

Establish your invitation rules early

Talk about:

Are children invited?
Who receives a plus-one?
Are work colleagues invited?
How far into extended family do you go?
Can parents add guests?
Will there be a second invitation round after declines?

Consistency avoids a lot of difficult conversations later.

4. Choose Your Wedding Date

You don’t necessarily need to begin with one immovable date.

Having several possibilities may make finding the right venue considerably easier.

Consider:

season
daylight hours
weather
school holidays
public holidays
family availability
interstate guests
international guests
religious dates
cultural events
major Melbourne events
supplier availability

Spring and autumn are particularly popular times to marry in Australia, and Saturday remains the most common wedding day.

That means popular Saturdays can disappear well in advance.

Don’t overlook Friday or Sunday

Couples often begin with the assumption that a wedding has to happen on Saturday.

It doesn’t.

Friday and Sunday weddings can provide better venue and supplier availability and sometimes lower costs.

Just consider the guest experience.

A Friday wedding may require leave from work.

A Sunday night reception may be more difficult for guests who work Monday.

There’s no universally correct choice.

melbourne wedding venue inspection

5. Find the Right Wedding Venue

Your venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.

It can influence:

wedding style
guest numbers
catering
beverages
photography
entertainment
transport
ceremony arrangements
finishing time
the entire wedding-day schedule

Brighton Savoy spent decades on the venue side of this conversation, and our advice is simple:

Look beyond the photographs.

A venue has to work operationally as well as aesthetically.

Brighton Savoy now publishes independent guides to Melbourne and Victorian wedding venues, including detailed reviews of individual venues and practical venue-selection advice.

When inspecting a venue, ask:

What exactly is included?
What isn’t included?
What’s the comfortable capacity?
Is there a minimum guest number?
Is there a minimum spend?
Is GST included?
What deposit is required?
When are progress payments due?
What’s the cancellation policy?
What happens if we postpone?
What happens if the venue becomes unavailable?
How many weddings happen simultaneously?
Who coordinates the wedding on the day?
When can suppliers access the venue?
Can we choose our own suppliers?
What’s the wet-weather plan?
Is parking available?
Is the venue accessible?
Is accommodation nearby?
What time must the reception finish?

Ask about sound restrictions before paying a deposit

This is a question couples frequently don’t think to ask.

If dancing and entertainment are important, ask:

Does the venue have a sound limiter?

Is there a maximum decibel level?

Are drums or live percussion restricted?

Are subwoofers permitted?

What time must music finish?

Brighton Savoy’s guide to Melbourne Wedding Venues With Sound Limiters & Noise Restrictions explains why this can become particularly important for DJs, live bands and cultural weddings.

Read the venue contract

Don’t rely solely on conversations during the inspection.

Read the written agreement.

Pay particular attention to:

deposits
cancellations
postponements
minimum spends
price increases
final guest numbers
payment dates
overtime
supplier restrictions
damage
what happens if the venue can’t perform the booking

If something important has been promised verbally, ask for it in writing.

6. Choose Your Marriage Celebrant

A wedding reception might be an enormous celebration, but first you need to get married.

Your celebrant plays both a legal and personal role.

In Australia, the Notice of Intended Marriage, commonly known as the NOIM, generally needs to be received by an authorised celebrant at least one month and no more than 18 months before the wedding.

Your celebrant can guide you through the legal documentation and requirements.

But choosing a celebrant isn’t purely an administrative decision.

Your celebrant helps establish the tone of the ceremony.

Do you want someone:

warm and relaxed
funny
traditional
highly formal
youthful
experienced
culturally knowledgeable
multilingual
highly personalised in their approach

Meet them before deciding.

Brighton Savoy has a dedicated guide to the Best Wedding Celebrants in Melbourne, including information about choosing, comparing and booking celebrants.

7. Decide Whether You Need a Wedding Planner

Not every couple needs a wedding planner.

Many people thoroughly enjoy organising their own wedding.

But planners can be particularly useful for:

large weddings
private-property weddings
destination weddings
complicated logistics
multicultural celebrations
couples with demanding jobs
couples living interstate or overseas
weddings involving many suppliers

There’s also an important distinction between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator.

A planner may work with you throughout the process, helping establish budgets, find suppliers and develop the event.

A coordinator may become involved closer to the wedding and focus on making sure your plans actually happen.

Brighton Savoy maintains a guide to Wedding Planners in Melbourne if you’d like to compare local options.

You can also explore the Melbourne Wedding Suppliers Complete List, which brings many supplier categories together in one place.

8. Book Your Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography is one supplier category where booking early can matter.

Popular photographers may be committed well ahead, particularly on peak-season Saturdays.

Brighton Savoy has worked alongside countless photographers over the years and now maintains a detailed Best Wedding Photographers Melbourne guide.

When comparing photographers, don’t judge them solely on their 20 best Instagram photographs.

Ask to see complete wedding galleries.

You want to know how they capture:

preparation
ceremony
families
difficult lighting
candid interactions
reception
speeches
dancing
nighttime photographs

Also ask about:

coverage hours
second photographers
engagement shoots
travel charges
turnaround times
albums
backup equipment
wet-weather experience

And importantly, choose someone you like.

Depending on your package, you may spend eight or ten hours beside them on one of the most important days of your life.

9. Decide Whether You Want a Wedding Videographer

Photography captures moments.

Video captures movement, voices, music and atmosphere.

It isn’t essential for every couple, but don’t leave the decision until the last minute if it’s something you think you may value.

Brighton Savoy has both a comprehensive guide to Wedding Videographers in Melbourne and a separate article explaining Why Hiring a Wedding Videographer Can Be One of the Best Wedding Decisions You Make.

When comparing packages, ask about:

hours of coverage
number of videographers
ceremony audio
speeches
drone footage
highlight films
full-length edits
turnaround times
music licensing
backup equipment

Photography and videography teams also need to work comfortably together, so ask whether your suppliers have previously collaborated.

10. Choose Between a Wedding DJ, Band or Live Musicians

Music has an enormous impact on atmosphere.

And Brighton Savoy has plenty of experience on this subject.

After decades watching DJs and bands perform at wedding receptions, we’ve seen excellent entertainers completely transform a room.

We’ve also seen the opposite.

Brighton Savoy publishes separate guides to:

55+ Top Wedding DJs in Melbourne

and

50+ Best Wedding Bands, Musicians & Entertainment in Melbourne

When deciding between them, think about the atmosphere you want.

A DJ can offer

enormous song selection
continuous music
easy genre changes
smaller space requirements
relatively simple setup
DJ/MC combinations

A live band can offer

live energy
visual performance
interaction
a distinctive atmosphere
impressive versions of favourite songs

You can also combine them.

Many weddings now use acoustic musicians during the ceremony, a band during part of the reception and a DJ later.

Ask any entertainment supplier:

Can we see you perform?
Do you act as MC?
How do you handle requests?
What equipment do you provide?
Do you provide lighting?
How much setup time is needed?
What happens if a performer becomes unavailable?
Do you carry backup equipment?
Have you performed at our venue before?

And don’t forget to confirm the venue’s sound policy before booking.

11. Find Your Wedding Dress

For many people, finding the wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning.

It can also become overwhelming surprisingly quickly.

Melbourne has an enormous bridal industry, so Brighton Savoy has created several resources to help narrow the search.

You can start with our 50+ Top Bridal & Wedding Dress Shops in Melbourne guide.

If budget is particularly important, we’ve also compiled a guide to Affordable Wedding Dress Shops in Melbourne.

For something made specifically for you, explore our guides to Wedding Dress Designers in Melbourne and Bespoke Wedding Dresses Melbourne.

When shopping for a dress, consider:

budget
lead time
alterations
season
venue
ceremony setting
comfort
footwear
underwear
accessories
ability to sit
ability to dance

There’s one extremely practical lesson worth remembering:

You have to wear it for a very long day.

Looking extraordinary matters.

Being able to breathe, sit, eat, walk and dance matters too.

12. Organise the Groom’s Suit and Wedding Party Clothing

Wedding clothing doesn’t stop with the dress.

The groom or grooms may need suits, tuxedos, shirts, shoes and accessories, while the broader wedding party may also require coordinated clothing.

Brighton Savoy’s guide to Custom Suit Tailors in Melbourne is a useful starting point for tailored wedding suits.

We’ve also looked specifically at How Many Groomsmen Should You Have and What It Means for Coordinating Suits.

Start early enough to allow for:

ordering
fittings
alterations
weight changes
interstate wedding-party members
matching fabrics
accessories
shoes

You don’t need every member of the wedding party to look identical.

Coordinated often works better than cloned.

13. Book Hair and Makeup

Your hair and makeup schedule can have a surprisingly large impact on the wedding-day timeline.

If several people are having professional services, work backwards from the time everyone needs to leave.

Allow some contingency.

Brighton Savoy maintains a guide to Wedding & Bridal Beauty Salons in Melbourne to help couples research hair and makeup options.

Before booking, consider:

trials
number of people
start time
whether artists travel to you
travel fees
lashes
touch-up products
hairstyling
skin preparation

If you’re having a trial, photograph the finished look from different angles and in natural light.

Something that looks beautiful in person can appear quite different in photography.

14. Plan the Food

Ask former wedding guests what they remember and food will often be near the top of the list.

The menu doesn’t need to be extravagant.

It needs to be good, plentiful and served at sensible times.

Depending on the venue, you might choose:

plated dining
alternate drop
shared feasting
buffet
cocktail catering
food stations
private catering
food trucks

Think about the entire day.

If the ceremony ends at 4:30 pm and the main course isn’t appearing until 7:30 pm, guests need substantial food in between.

Consider:

canapé quantity
menu variety
portion sizes
dietary requirements
children’s meals
cultural requirements
supplier meals
dessert
cake
late-night food

Brighton Savoy’s Best Wedding Caterers in Melbourne & Victoria guide explores professional catering options, including caterers suitable for private properties and off-site events.

For a more casual or interactive approach, explore our guide to Melbourne Food Trucks for Weddings & Events.

And if you’re looking for something later in the evening, food trucks, dessert carts and coffee carts can create an entirely different experience.

15. Plan Your Drinks

Couples can spend an enormous amount upgrading wine without thinking about how quickly guests can actually get a glass.

Good beverage service is partly about selection and partly about logistics.

Ask:

What’s included?
Are spirits included?
Can guests buy additional drinks?
How many bartenders will work?
Is table service included?
Is water readily available?
What non-alcoholic choices are available?
When does beverage service finish?

Don’t treat non-drinkers as an afterthought.

Non-alcoholic beer, wine and cocktails have improved enormously.

A thoughtful alcohol-free option can be much more welcoming than simply offering orange juice or lemonade.

16. Choose Your Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes have changed enormously over the years.

During Brighton Savoy’s decades of hosting weddings, we saw everything from elaborate multi-tiered creations to simple homemade cakes made by family members.

Both can be meaningful.

Brighton Savoy’s Best Wedding Cake Suppliers in Melbourne 2026 guide showcases Melbourne cake makers, while our Wedding Cake Prices & Costs Guide can help with budgeting.

Before ordering, ask:

How many people does the cake serve?
Is delivery included?
Who assembles it?
Does it require refrigeration?
Is cake cutting included at the venue?
How will it be served?
Can leftovers be taken home?

And remember that you don’t necessarily need an enormous cake for every guest if another dessert is already included.

17. Consider Dessert Carts, Gelato, Coffee and Late-Night Food

Modern weddings don’t need to finish with wedding cake and instant coffee.

Couples now use:

gelato carts
cannoli carts
doughnut carts
churros
dessert stations
mobile coffee carts
food trucks
late-night snacks

These can work particularly well because they’re both food and entertainment.

Brighton Savoy’s guides to Dessert & Food Carts in Melbourne, Mobile Coffee Cart Hire and Food Trucks for Weddings and Events can help you compare options.

18. Choose Your Wedding Flowers and Styling

Flowers and styling help define the visual character of the wedding.

Think about:

bouquets
buttonholes
ceremony arrangements
table flowers
candles
linen
furniture
signage
lighting
tableware
backdrop
cake table

If styling is a major priority, Brighton Savoy maintains a guide to Wedding Stylists in Melbourne.and Wedding Decorators But before spending heavily, look at your venue.

A naturally beautiful room might require very little decoration.

An empty warehouse may need significantly more.

Ask yourself:

Will this genuinely change the way the wedding looks or feels?

Spend where it creates impact.

Don’t feel obliged to purchase every decorative product the wedding industry has invented.

19. Organise Your Wedding Invitations and Stationery

Once the date and venue are confirmed, you can start thinking about how you’ll invite people.

Brighton Savoy has a dedicated guide to Wedding Stationery & Invitations in Melbourne.

Your invitation should make the essentials obvious:

who’s getting married
date
ceremony time
location
reception details
RSVP instructions
dress code if applicable
wedding website

A wedding website can handle much of the detail that doesn’t fit elegantly on an invitation:

maps
parking
accommodation
transport
dress information
FAQs
dietary requirements
gift information
wedding schedule

Clear communication saves everyone stress.

20. Choose Your Wedding Rings and Jewellery

Unlike some wedding purchases, your wedding rings may be worn every day for decades.

Give yourself time.

Consider:

metal
durability
lifestyle
width
comfort
gemstones
engraving
how the wedding band sits beside an engagement ring

Brighton Savoy has created a guide to Places to Buy Engagement & Wedding Rings in Melbourne, along with our guide to Wedding Jewellery Shops in Melbourne.

We also have a detailed article on How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Ring if you’re trying to narrow your options.

Don’t leave rings until the final week.

Resizing, engraving and custom pieces can require time.

21. Organise Wedding Transport

You may need transport for:

couple
wedding party
family
guests
travel between ceremony and reception
late-night guest transport

Brighton Savoy’s Wedding Cars & Limousine Hire Melbourne guide covers a wide range of local wedding-car options.

But don’t only think about how you arrive.

Think about how everyone leaves.

For weddings in the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula or regional Victoria, guest transportation deserves particular attention.

Ask:

Is there onsite parking?
Is public transport nearby?
Will taxis be available late?
Are rideshare services reliable there?
Should we arrange a bus?
Where is the nearest accommodation?

A spectacular remote venue can become significantly less spectacular when 80 guests are trying to find a taxi at midnight.

22. Decide Whether You Want a Photo Booth

Photo booths aren’t essential, but they can be genuinely entertaining.

They also give guests something to do during quieter periods of the reception.

Brighton Savoy has a comprehensive guide to Wedding Photo Booth Hire in Melbourne, covering different booth formats and suppliers.

Before booking, check:

floor-space requirement
backdrop
props
operator
printing
digital copies
guest book
setup time
power requirements
whether the venue has room for it

Avoid squeezing one into a venue where it reduces dance-floor or dining space.

23. Plan Your Ceremony Properly

The ceremony is not simply the administrative part you need to complete before the reception.

It’s the reason everyone is there.

Work with your celebrant on:

vows
readings
music
wedding-party entrance
cultural traditions
family participation
ceremony length
signing
photography
sound
seating

Make sure people can hear

Outdoor ceremonies particularly need adequate amplification.

A beautiful ceremony isn’t much use if the guests beyond row three can’t hear it.

Ask your celebrant and venue who supplies:

microphone
speakers
music playback
power
backup equipment

24. Incorporate Cultural Wedding Traditions

One of Melbourne’s great strengths is its multiculturalism.

Weddings frequently combine cultures, religions, languages and family traditions.

Brighton Savoy has created an extensive Multicultural Weddings Melbourne guide, along with dedicated articles covering individual wedding traditions and communities.

These include traditions associated with:

Greek weddings
Italian weddings
Chinese weddings
Indian weddings
Jewish weddings
Muslim weddings
Lebanese weddings
Serbian weddings
Croatian weddings
Hungarian weddings

Discuss cultural expectations early because they can affect:

ceremony
venue
catering
alcohol
timing
entertainment
music
clothing
dancing
family roles
photography

The objective isn’t to cram every possible tradition into the day.

Choose the traditions that actually mean something to you and your families.

25. Think About Your Wedding Guests

Your wedding is about you.

But you’re also hosting people.

There’s an important difference between designing your wedding around everybody else’s preferences and being a considerate host.

Think about:

food
drinks
comfortable seating
temperature
shade
accessibility
bathrooms
music volume
waiting times
parking
transport
dietary requirements
communication

Our comprehensive guide to What Do Wedding Guests Really Care About? explores this in detail.

After decades in hospitality, we’d summarise it this way:

Guests usually remember how the wedding felt more than the decorative details.

They may forget your menu font.

They probably won’t forget waiting 45 minutes for a drink.

26. Create Your Seating Plan

The seating plan is one of those tasks that looks simple until you begin.

Think about:

friendship groups
family relationships
couples
single guests
elderly guests
children
accessibility
hearing
proximity to speakers
proximity to dance floor
cultural considerations

Try to create tables where conversation will happen naturally.

Don’t treat people simply as names required to fill eight or ten seats.

Assigned tables or assigned seats?

For a formal reception, we’d generally recommend at least assigned tables.

Completely open seating can sound wonderfully relaxed but become surprisingly awkward when friendship groups start reserving chairs and late arrivals can’t sit with their partner.

Assigned seats offer more control.

Assigned tables offer more flexibility.

Either can work.

wedding run sheet seating plan

27. Build Your Wedding-Day Run Sheet

A run sheet means the people responsible for delivering the wedding know what’s supposed to happen.

Share it with relevant suppliers.

A sample Melbourne wedding timeline might look like this:

3:30 pm Guests begin arriving
4:00 pm Ceremony
4:30 pm Congratulations and photographs
5:00 pm Drinks and canapés
6:00 pm Reception opens
6:20 pm Couple enters
6:30 pm Dinner begins
7:45 pm Speeches
8:30 pm Cake cutting
8:40 pm First dance
8:45 pm Dance floor opens
10:30 pm Late-night food
11:30 pm Final drinks
Midnight Reception concludes

This is just an example.

Your wedding could look completely different.

The important thing is that the venue, photographer, videographer, entertainment, catering team and wedding party aren’t all working from different schedules.

Don’t schedule every minute

Leave some breathing room.

If the entire wedding is scheduled to five-minute intervals, one late photograph can derail everything.

A run sheet should provide structure, not make your wedding feel like an airport timetable.

28. Have a Real Wet-Weather Plan

If you’re planning a Melbourne wedding, this isn’t optional.

For any outdoor component, ask:

What happens if it rains?

And don’t accept:

“We’ll work something out.”

Ask to see where the ceremony moves.

Can it accommodate every guest?

Will everyone be seated?

Where does cocktail hour move?

What happens to photography?

What if the weather problem isn’t rain but 39-degree heat or severe wind?

Think about:

Plan A: Beautiful weather

Plan B: Rain

Plan C: Extreme heat, cold or wind

A proper backup plan isn’t pessimistic.

It’s what allows you to stop checking the weather forecast every 20 minutes during the week before your wedding.

29. Confirm Dietary Requirements

Collect dietary information with RSVPs.

These may include:

allergies
vegetarian
vegan
gluten-free
halal
kosher
medical requirements
children’s meals

Don’t simply write “dietary requirements” on a spreadsheet and assume everything will sort itself out.

Make sure the venue or caterer receives accurate information and understands serious allergies.

This is particularly important at multicultural weddings where dietary practices may have religious as well as personal significance.

30. Think About Accessibility

Good hospitality means considering whether everyone you’ve invited can actually participate comfortably.

Think about:

wheelchair access
accessible bathrooms
stairs
walking distances
seating
hearing
elderly guests
pregnant guests
transport
shade
temperature

Small decisions can make an enormous difference.

31. Prepare the Speeches

Good speeches don’t need to be long.

In fact, they generally shouldn’t be.

Decide:

who’s speaking
when
approximate duration
who introduces them
whether audiovisual equipment is needed

Encourage people to prepare.

A spontaneous three-minute toast can be wonderful.

A spontaneous 27-minute chronological account of someone’s university years is rather less predictable.

If six people want to speak, keeping each contribution reasonably concise helps preserve the momentum of the reception.

32. The Final Month

This is where wedding planning turns into execution.

Four weeks before

chase outstanding RSVPs
finalise seating
confirm ceremony
finalise menu
confirm dietary requirements
finalise music
confirm speeches
review run sheet
check outstanding payments

Two weeks before

reconfirm suppliers
complete attire fittings
confirm transport
confirm accommodation
review ceremony paperwork
check payments
revisit the weather plan

One week before

provide final numbers
distribute the run sheet
confirm supplier contacts
pack wedding-day items
confirm who has the rings
nominate someone to take gifts home
check weather
delegate responsibilities

The day before

Stop changing things unless they’re genuinely important.

At some stage you have to stop planning the wedding and allow the wedding to happen.

33. Ten Wedding Details Couples Commonly Forget

Even organised weddings can overlook surprisingly simple things.

1. Supplier meals

Photographers, videographers, bands and other suppliers may work for many hours.

Check contracts and organise meals where required.

2. Who takes the cards and gifts home?

Nominate someone trustworthy.

Don’t decide at midnight.

3. Who collects decorations?

If you’ve brought signs, cake toppers, photographs or personal decorations, somebody needs to take them home.

4. Wet-weather transport

That easy five-minute walk becomes very different in heavy rain.

5. Comfortable shoes

The shoes that look incredible at 2 pm may feel considerably less wonderful at 11 pm.

6. Eating on the wedding day

Have breakfast.

Have lunch.

Don’t allow your first meaningful meal to arrive six hours after you’ve started drinking champagne.

7. Medication

Pack anything you actually need.

8. Phone chargers

Particularly for the person coordinating communications.

9. Who has the rings?

Yes, it sounds obvious.

Check anyway.

10. Who can make decisions when you’re unavailable?

This may be the most important.

Your caterer shouldn’t need to interrupt your photographs because someone wants to know where to put a table.

Nominate a trusted person, wedding planner or coordinator who can make minor decisions.

34. Wedding Day: Stop Being the Event Manager

This is where all the preparation pays off.

You’ve chosen the venue.

You’ve found the celebrant.

You’ve booked the photographer.

You’ve decided between the DJ and band.

You’ve chosen the cake.

You’ve organised hair and makeup.

You’ve endured the seating plan.

You’ve checked the weather.

You’ve written the run sheet.

Now stop managing.

Something minor will probably be different from what you planned.

A flower might be the wrong shade.

Someone might arrive late.

A speech might go over.

Your hair might move.

Nobody else knows what was “supposed” to happen.

Unless something genuinely affects the celebration, let it go.

Eat.

Drink some water.

Visit the tables.

Talk to your grandparents.

Laugh with your friends.

Dance.

Spend time with each other.

Take five minutes away from everyone and actually look at the room you’ve created.

Your wedding day will move incredibly quickly.

Don’t spend it looking for imperfections.

After the Wedding

There are still a few things to take care of.

Depending on your arrangements:

return hired items
settle any outstanding supplier accounts
collect personal items
preserve or donate flowers
store wedding clothing
send thank-you messages
leave supplier reviews
choose photographs
order albums
complete name-change administration if relevant

And then?

Stop planning weddings.

You’ve graduated.

Explore Brighton Savoy’s Melbourne Wedding Supplier Guides

If you’re now ready to start booking suppliers, Brighton Savoy has built dedicated Melbourne wedding guides covering virtually every major part of the process.

You’ll find guides to:

You can also browse the Brighton Savoy Melbourne Wedding Suppliers Complete List for a broader overview.

Why Brighton Savoy Writes About Wedding Planning

Brighton Savoy isn’t a wedding website created from scratch for the internet.

Our family’s involvement with Brighton Savoy began in 1967, and for decades the property operated as a hotel, restaurant, function centre and wedding reception venue opposite Brighton Beach.

We hosted weddings.

We worked with couples and families.

We coordinated functions.

We served wedding meals.

We cut wedding cakes.

We watched DJs and bands work a room.

We saw hundreds of photographers and videographers at work.

We worked with celebrants, florists, stylists and other suppliers.

We saw carefully planned wedding schedules work beautifully.

And occasionally we saw what happened when important questions hadn’t been asked until it was too late.

The physical Brighton Savoy no longer operates as a hotel or wedding venue.

Today, Brighton Savoy is an independent Australian information platform.

That puts us in a different position.

We’re no longer trying to convince couples to book our venue.

Instead, we can use what we learned from decades on the venue and hospitality side to help couples research their options and ask better questions.

We don’t believe there’s one correct way to have a wedding.

A 30-person restaurant wedding can be just as meaningful as a 250-person formal reception.

A multicultural celebration can combine traditions in ways unique to two families.

A food truck wedding can be every bit as memorable as a five-course dinner.

And spending more money does not automatically create a better celebration.

Our aim is straightforward:

Help couples understand their options, ask better questions and avoid problems that are much easier to solve before the wedding than on the wedding day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Wedding in Australia

How do I start planning a wedding?

Start by establishing your approximate budget, guest numbers, preferred date or season and the type of wedding you want.

Once you understand those fundamentals, begin researching venues.

What should you book first for a wedding?

Your venue and authorised marriage celebrant are generally among the most important early bookings.

Popular photographers, videographers, DJs, bands and wedding planners may also book well in advance.

How long does it take to plan a wedding in Australia?

Many couples allow around 12 to 18 months, particularly for popular venues and Saturday weddings.

However, successful weddings can be organised in considerably less time if you’re flexible about dates and suppliers.

Can you plan a wedding in six months?

Yes.

Start immediately with your budget, guest list, venue, celebrant and key suppliers.

You may need more flexibility regarding your preferred venue, photographer or entertainment supplier.

Can you organise a wedding in three months?

Yes, but decisions need to be made quickly.

The Australian legal notice requirements should be one of your first priorities, so speak with an authorised celebrant immediately.

How early should you book a Melbourne wedding venue?

Popular venues and peak-season Saturdays may book well in advance, so starting 12 to 18 months ahead gives you greater choice.

Friday, Sunday, weekday and off-season weddings may provide considerably more availability.

When should you book a wedding celebrant?

As soon as you have your wedding date is sensible, particularly if there’s someone specific you want.

Your authorised celebrant also handles important legal requirements including the Notice of Intended Marriage.

When should you book a wedding photographer?

Popular Melbourne wedding photographers can book many months ahead.

Once the venue and date are confirmed, photography is one of the suppliers worth researching early.

Should we hire a DJ or wedding band?

Both can create a fantastic reception.

DJs offer enormous musical variety and flexibility, while live bands can create exceptional energy and atmosphere.

Your choice depends on budget, venue, available space, musical preferences and any venue noise restrictions.

How early should you buy a wedding dress?

Start early enough to allow for ordering, manufacturing and alterations.

Lead times vary considerably between designers, bridal stores and off-the-rack options.

Do I need a wedding planner?

No.

Many couples successfully plan their own wedding.

A professional planner can nevertheless be useful for complicated weddings, private properties, destination celebrations, large multicultural weddings or simply when the couple doesn’t have enough time to manage everything.

What’s the difference between a wedding planner and wedding coordinator?

A planner may help throughout the planning process with budgeting, suppliers, styling and logistics.

A coordinator generally focuses more heavily on executing plans as the wedding approaches or on the wedding day itself.

Services vary, so confirm exactly what’s included.

What do wedding guests care about most?

Guests generally care about good food, drinks, music, comfort, sensible timing, easy logistics and spending time with the couple.

They’re usually more likely to remember the experience than small decorative details.

What questions should I ask a wedding venue?

Ask about price, what’s included, capacity, minimum spends, payment terms, cancellation, postponement, catering, beverages, wet-weather plans, parking, accessibility, supplier restrictions, entertainment policies, sound limits and finishing times.

What are the most commonly forgotten wedding details?

Transport, supplier meals, dietary requirements, weather alternatives, collecting gifts and decorations, feeding the wedding party during the day and nominating someone to make minor decisions are all easily overlooked.

How can we make wedding planning less stressful?

Make decisions in order rather than trying to organise everything at once.

Keep a central budget and planning document.

Book important suppliers early.

Read contracts.

Delegate.

And learn to distinguish between decisions that genuinely affect the day and details that are simply nice to have.

Final Wedding Planning Advice From Brighton Savoy

After decades around weddings, we’d suggest forgetting about perfection.

Weddings involve people.

People run late.

Children cry.

Melbourne weather changes.

Speeches go off-script.

Flowers don’t always look exactly like their Instagram photograph.

A guest will eventually request a song you specifically told the DJ not to play.

Most of that doesn’t matter.

Plan the things that do matter properly.

Set a realistic budget.

Choose your venue carefully.

Read the contract.

Find a celebrant you trust.

Choose good suppliers.

Feed people well.

Make sure guests can get there and home.

Understand your venue’s entertainment restrictions.

Have a genuine wet-weather plan.

Respect the cultural and family traditions that matter to you.

Create enough structure for the day to flow without trying to control every second.

Then, when the day finally arrives, stop planning.

You’re not producing a television program.

You’re getting married.

If you end the day married to the person you love, surrounded by people you care about and remembering how much fun you had, you planned a pretty successful wedding.

Posted in Blog

Brighton Savoy is an independent Australian publishing and information platform covering weddings, hospitality, travel and consumer topics. Drawing on more than five decades of experience operating the former Brighton Savoy hotel and wedding venue in Melbourne, we combine first-hand industry knowledge with current research to create practical guides for Australian consumers.