Congratulations on your engagement! Discover the first 10 things every newly engaged Australian couple should do to start planning their wedding with confidence, from setting a budget to finding the perfect venue.
Photography: The Evoke Company
1. Spread the news & celebrate!
Congratulations! Before you dive into wedding planning, take time to enjoy this special moment together. Celebrate your engagement with your fiancé, whether that's over a quiet dinner, a weekend away or simply a toast to your future. These memories will become just as precious as your wedding day itself.
Planning can wait for a little while—right now, it's time to celebrate. Before sharing your exciting news with the world, take a moment to enjoy this milestone together. Whether it's a quiet dinner, a glass of champagne or a weekend away, pause to savour the excitement of becoming engaged.
When you're ready, begin sharing your news with family and close friends before planning an engagement celebration that reflects your personalities. However you choose to announce your engagement, this is the beginning of an unforgettable journey towards your wedding day.
Read next: Five Ways To Announce Your Engagement
2. Insure your engagement ring
Have your engagement ring professionally valued by a certified gemmologist, then speak with your insurer about the best way to protect it. Engagement rings can be lost, stolen or damaged, so it is worth arranging cover as soon as possible.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to add your ring to your existing home and contents insurance policy, or arrange a separate jewellery insurance policy. Keep your valuation, receipt and photographs of the ring safely stored in case you ever need to make a claim.
Read next: How To Insure Your Engagement Ring
3. Set your wedding budget
One of the first and most important decisions you'll make is setting your wedding budget. Your budget will influence almost every aspect of your wedding, from your venue and photographer to your guest list, flowers and wedding attire.
Sit down together and decide how much you're comfortable spending before you begin booking suppliers. If your parents or other family members have offered to contribute, discuss this early so you have a realistic understanding of your total budget and can plan with confidence from the very beginning.
Read next: Wedding Budget Tips: Where To Splurge
4. Choose a wedding date
Once you've set your wedding budget, it's time to start thinking about your wedding date. While you don't need to choose an exact date straight away, narrowing your options to a few preferred dates will make it much easier to research wedding venues and secure your favourite wedding suppliers.
If you're planning a wedding on a budget, consider a weekday or an off-peak season wedding. Greater availability and more competitive pricing can give you a wider choice of venues and suppliers, while helping you make the most of your wedding budget.
Read next: How To Set Your Wedding Date
5. Start making a wedding guest list
Now is the perfect time to start drafting your wedding guest list. Once you've established your wedding budget, you'll have a better understanding of how many guests you can realistically invite.
Begin by creating a complete list of everyone you'd like to celebrate with, then refine it as your plans take shape. A well-planned guest list will help guide many of your wedding decisions, including your venue, catering and overall wedding budget.
6. Pick a theme
Choosing your wedding theme is one of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding. It sets the style and atmosphere for your celebration, helping guide everything from your wedding venue and flowers to your stationery, bridal party attire and décor.
Whether you dream of a romantic vineyard wedding, a relaxed beach wedding, a timeless garden celebration, an elegant ballroom reception or a rustic country wedding, gathering inspiration early will help you create a wedding that reflects your personality and style. Browse wedding magazines, explore real weddings online and visit bridal expos to discover ideas you'll love.
Read next: 10 Unique Wedding Themes
7. Make a list of preferred venues
Finding your wedding venue is one of the most exciting milestones in the wedding planning journey. Once you have a clear idea of your wedding style and budget, start creating a shortlist of venues that reflect your vision.
Browse our Wedding Services Directory to discover beautiful wedding venues across Australia, then save your favourites by clicking the heart icon on each listing. Whenever possible, attend venue open days to experience the atmosphere, explore the facilities and imagine how your wedding day could come to life. If you have questions, simply click the envelope icon to request information directly from the venue.
Find your reception venue by searching our Wedding Services Directory
8. Start looking for unique vendors
Finding the right wedding suppliers early can make all the difference to your wedding planning journey. Talented photographers, florists, celebrants, stylists, musicians and other sought-after wedding professionals are often booked well in advance, so it's worth researching your favourites as soon as you've chosen your wedding date.
Browse our Wedding Services Directory to discover exceptional wedding suppliers across Australia. You can add your favourite vendors to your My Bride's Diary account by simply clicking the heart located at the top right of all directory listings.
Find unique vendors by searching our Wedding Services Directory
9. Choose your wedding party
Choosing your wedding party is one of the most meaningful decisions you'll make during your wedding planning journey. Your bridesmaids, groomsmen and other members of your wedding party will support you throughout the planning process and stand beside you on one of the most important days of your life.
Ask your chosen wedding party as early as possible so they have plenty of time to plan, celebrate with you and help with key events such as your engagement party, hens party, bucks party and wedding day preparations.
Read nex: The Who's Who Of Wedding Tasks
10. Begin wedding dress shopping
Finding your wedding dress is one of the most memorable moments of your wedding planning journey. While it may be tempting to wait, it's worth beginning your search early, as many bridal boutiques work by appointment and popular times can book out well in advance.
Once you've found the dress you love, it may take several months to be made and delivered. You'll also need time for fittings and alterations to ensure your gown fits beautifully and feels comfortable on your wedding day. Starting early gives you the greatest choice and allows you to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Read nex: Tips For Buying Your Wedding Gown
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