Saying I do to the love of your life will be one of the most important and beautiful days in your life. That’s why, if you’re planning a destination wedding, you’ll need to pay extra attention to all the preparations. Australia is one of the most beautiful wedding destinations, with an array of beaches, outdoor venues and ballrooms that can help you orchestrate a fairytale wedding. For everyone planning to tie the knot in the Land Down Under, we have a few tips that will help you go through an entire process fuss-free.
Prepare for the time/season difference
The first important aspect to have in mind is the seasonal difference. If you’re coming from the northern hemisphere and you’re planning for a July wedding, you should remember that it’s not summer in Australia as it is in Europe, for instance. Another important aspect to remember is the time difference and inevitable jet lag. Make sure that your guests have enough time between their arrival and your wedding to handle jet lag.
Choose the city and the venue
Choosing the venue can be one of the most challenging tasks. Do you know which city you’d like to get married in? Are you planning a Brisbane wedding, or you’d like to exchange vows at the beach in Sydney? From Perth to Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia has some of the best locations to marry at. All you need to do is think whether you’d like to say I do at the wonderful Sydney beach overlooking the majestic Opera House, or you’d prefer a reception at a winery somewhere near Adelaide. A rooftop wedding in Melbourne can be just as stunning, and so can a ceremony in a picturesque valley near Brisbane.
Send invitation on time
One of the most crucial aspects of planning a destination wedding is to send out Save the Date notice and invitations on time. You should give your guests enough notice to RSVP and plan for their days off work. The sooner you inform them, the more time they’ll have to plan their vacation and let you know if they’ll be attending or not. That will save you the trouble of having to call everyone and check whether they’re attending or not. Send out Save the Date notice at least 6 months in advance, and follow up with invitations 2 months prior to the wedding,
Wedding transport
Organizing transportation to the wedding venue and back to the accommodation should also be on your to-do list. That is especially true if nobody knows their way around Brisbane, for instance. If you want to arrive at the wedding venue in style, you can always arrange for limousine hire in Brisbane and add that wow factor to the entire event. Aside from organizing the transportation to the ceremony, you should also consider if your guests have a way to fly to Australia on their own or they don’t. If not, booking a travel agent can be a good idea. You can always lend them your travel agent and allow for stress-free travel for everyone.
Hire a planner if needed
Planning a wedding can be nerve-wracking, which is why you should hire a wedding planner if you don’t think you can handle the pressure. From finding the venue to ordering the invitations, flowers, cakes, finding the dress and making sure everyone arrives safely to Australia leaves you little to no time to think about how you feel. The last thing you need is to feel over-stressed and resent the whole wedding planning process in the end. Save yourself the trouble of waking up in the middle of the night wondering if you’ve completed all the tasks from your to-do list and hire a professional.
Have a backup plan
Having a plan B is always recommended when planning a destination wedding. That is especially true if you’ve decided to get married at the beach. The weather can be unpredictable at times, which is why you should have a backup option with an indoor venue. Choosing a venue that can accommodate both outdoor and indoor wedding is the safest option.
Final thoughts
Planning a wedding will come with a full spectrum of mixed emotions and feelings. That’s especially true when you throw in a remote destination in the mix. To make the planning process as easier as possible, follow the tips that we’ve laid out for you. Try to stay calm and ask for help whenever you need it. Your wedding will be one of the biggest undertakings in life, and you shouldn’t resist asking for all the assistance you need because it will only allow for the most magnificent event ever.
