Your best friend has asked you to marry them.

You’ve said yes!

…. now what?

Where do you begin? There are countless venues in Victoria, and guest lists, don’t forget about flowers and celebrants, what type of style will you have at your wedding? How big will your bridal party be? Will the fur-babies be included?!

With all of these unanswered questions, it can be very easy to spiral into a stressed state. But I’m here to assure you that it doesn’t have to be such an overwhelming time! With so much creative freedom, you truly have the ability to tailor your big day to be an extraordinary experience that you’ll remember long into your happily ever after.

The advantage of living within this gorgeous state is there is something special for everyone. With an abundance of knowledgable vendors and picturesque wedding venues across The Macedon Ranges, Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, Melbourne CBD and more! You’ll be turning your dreams into reality in no time.

Keep reading for a step by step guide to begin planning your dream Victorian wedding!

1. Congratulations, lovebirds!

You’re engaged! Don’t forget to truly bask in the joy of being newly engaged. Tell friends and family, shout it from the rooftops! Enjoy this beautiful time together as a couple and the start of a new adventure.

Believe me, when I tell you Pinterest is your new best friend (if you aren’t familiar already.) Start creating mood boards, save images that catch your eye, have discussions with your partner and soon you’ll be able to establish a rough idea of your big day.

2. Budget like a Boss.

It’s important to have an open conversation about budget and financial expectations. Think about how much you can realistically save and afford to put towards your wedding day. I recommend opening a separate account dedicated solely to your wedding savings and expenses, that way it’s easier to keep track of your costs and pending payments.

Once you’ve established a budget, you can begin to seriously consider the size of your wedding and what that will entail for your future planning (i.e. venues, catering, photographers, etc.) If you’re unsure about what size of wedding is right for you, check out a previous blog post of mine here. 

3. They’ve Got Style!

By narrowing down a specific style for your special day, it will be much easier to find venues to compliment your wedding style. Perhaps you’d like to have a rustic themed reception nestled away in the mountains, or a barefoot coastal ceremony at sunset. The possibilities are endless!

I would recommend checking out Wedshed’s list of Victorian Wedding Venues here.

Don’t be afraid to embrace your inner Goldilocks, keep searching until you find the venue that’s just right! 

4. Book it!

Found a venue that ticks all the right boxes? Does it have that dreamy little chapel you’re after? Or a large ballroom for you and your guests to dance the night away? If you’re nodding yes, then it’s time to make the commitment to your venue. Once you’re booked in, you officially have a date! Hoorah! 

Now, it’s time to research and find those perfect wedding vendors. Will you look elsewhere for a ceremony venue? Do you have a particular photographer and/or videographer in mind? Is there a particular florist who creates bouquets of your dreams? This is the time to reach out and make those connections! 

You might also be surprised at how useful a tool Instagram can be when sourcing wedding suppliers. I would highly recommend jumping on the faithful social media app and seeing what local vendors you can find!

5. Be Unique!

It’s important to remember that this is a day to celebrate you and your partner! Don’t forget to make it unique to you and your relationship. If you’ve always preferred cupcakes, swap out a wedding cake for them! If you don’t like seafood, then try other alternatives on the menu! 

Ultimately, this is your day. If you want to take a few moments with your new spouse to dance alone somewhere to Harry Styles, then schedule it in! If you want to get some shots with your bridal party at sunset, schedule it with your photographer! Don’t be afraid to ask questions and put your requests forward to your vendors.

6. Take It One Step At a Time!

I know it’s hard to not get ahead of yourself and add 101 tasks to the “to-do” list, but I promise there are at least two things on that list that you can either delegate to someone else or cross out completely.

In fact, go ahead right now! Grab out your list and see what those two tasks are. Can you delegate them to someone? Do it! Can you remove it? Do it and don’t give it a second thought!

If it all starts to become a little overwhelming, remember that whilst your wedding is a significant event, ultimately it’s a celebration of your love and union with your partner. The beginning of the remainder of your lives together as one solid unit. 

Between you, your partner and all of the wonderful resources available, I have absolutely no doubt that you’ll be able to create the wedding of your dreams and have a day that you’ll be reminiscing upon for years and years to come!

Please remember, it’s okay (and expected) for you to have questions and concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask what’s on your mind or to ask for further clarification. Everyone involved wants your wedding day to run as smoothly as possible, so it definitely doesn’t hurt to ensure everybody is on the same page! Remember that as wedding vendors, we help plan, attend and oversee weddings on a regular basis. We’ve got the answers and are more than willing to lend a helping hand when needed! So please ask away! 

Need some more helping planning your wedding? I would love to help you! Send me an email and let’s get the process started!