We know, it feels like it is sooooo much to organise, but when booking wedding professional - be rest assured they all guide you through this exciting process. Let the planning begin, we are thrilled you have (hopefully) chosen to get married with us here at Mewburn Park. We promise we will assist, guide & give you our professional feedback at all times.

With the experience of more than 360+ weddings - we - Julia & Adam are personally making sure your day runs smooth and all vendors are aligned. Yes, it’s us, we are your venue coordinators !

12-18 months

FIND YOUR VENUE - Hoping it’s us ☺️
When looking for a date consider the SEASON, ask what the gardens look like in that season and check what else may need to be considered (i.e. daylight savings and ceremony start times, heat and cold etc.)
LOCK IN YOUR DATE - from now on planning is falling all into place
MAIN WEDDING VENDORS - Once you have a date and venue you can start searching for the A team. After your viewing with us we will supply you with an extended list of local and Vic based wedding suppliers who have all worked with us and we genuinely highly recommend. We know these guys go above and beyond to make your wedding day so very special (also handy, since they have been here they know where to park. set up, the yes and no’s…. less communication for you in your planning).

So start with these industries here:
1. Venue
2. Celebrant
3. Photographer / Videographer
4. Catering
5. Stylist
DRAFT A GUEST LIST - Choose your guests not as a social obligation, but as being surrounded by those you love and who love you.
SET A BUDGET - It's time to do the math and crunch some not-so-fun numbers. Research & gather some quotes and then work out a (realistic) budget. Before you can start anything, you have to figure out who's paying for what and determine your wedding's bottom line. Things to consider include: what you can commit to spending, how much you can save, any family contributions, how many guests will be coming etc. Then you need to figure out what you are/aren’t willing to compromise on.
WEDDING PLANNER? With us here at Mewburn Park, we feel like you do not need a wedding planner, but we highly recommend a stylist to set up marquee as heat or windy weather needs to be factored in. However, if the wedding planning process feels overwhelming, than a wedding planner is the person for you to take away excel sheets, budgeting and contacting multiple suppliers etc. Let us know, we have some contacts.
Start a working on the OVERALL spreadsheet supplied to you from us, to help with vendor comparisons, budget, contact details of suppliers
Pinterest and Instagram are now your friends – Create your wedding dress designer short list, start researching wedding day styling, colour palettes and weddings that have your vibe. Stalk and save.

9month+

FIND YOUR VENDORS - now it’s time to research and/or lock in the next round of vendors
1. Florist
2. Band/DJ/acoustic music for ceremony
3. Grazing or special dessert suppliers (ice cream carts)
4. Hair & Make up
5. Content Creators
6. Live Painters or other entertainment
WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING - some designers have long order times, so after your extensive research make some appointments with bridal shops (order times 6month, add some alterations …)
Send out SAVE THE DATE - consider creating your very own wedding website, helps with RSVP’s and info’s for guests (i.e. accommodation options etc.)
STYLE & COLOUR PALETTE - Narrow down the style you aim for and what is a ‘must have’ for your wedding (i.e. amazing floral backdrop or that photo and video combo you love)
WEDDING PARTY - if you want them by your side, now its the time to tell them
ORGANISE ACCOMMODATION for your guests and book your stay with us in the Lakehouse

6month +

CAKE / DESSERT - Do a tasting and choose your wedding cake style
GROOMS ATTIRE - Time for the gentlemen to get suited up
WEDDING ACCESSORIES - shoes, jewellery (i.e earrings or necklace), hair piece etc
HAIR & MAKE UP - Organise hair and makeup trial dates, find what works best for you
Shop for WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE - bridesmaids usually take a little longer than the lads
RINGS - shop for wedding bands
STATIONARY - create your own or organise a wedding stationary expert and get your design/style finalised

4month +

BEAUTY CARE - start a skin routine and book in for a beauty care appointment
INVITE YOUR LOVED ONES - Send out invitations, also mention any pre/post-wedding activities.
TRANSPORT - get in touch with local bus companies and confirm timings
FLOOR PLAN - start thinking about the set up of marquee and what groups sit togther. We will discuss this in our detail meeting
Research Honeymoon options and pay deposit
MENU - Book in for a tasting and finalise your menu with catering
MUSIC - create a playlist with your fave songs and start thinking about the main ones:
1. walking down the aisle
2. signing certificate
3. walking back the aisle married
4. first dance etc.
> pass this lis in to your musicians
DRESS ALTERATIONS - get organised and book in your dress alterations, also organise undergarment wear

2month +

RSVP’S should be back, finalise your guest list and follow them up (including diet requests)
EVERYTHING SHOULD BE ORDERED - by now flowers, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen outfits, gifts for your wedding party, guest Bonbonnieres, as well as any extras for the wedding day. These include everything from cake knives and toasting glasses to guest books and candles, outfit for your Hens/Bucks party.
CELEBRANT & MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE - get in touch with your celebrant to organise your personalised ceremony and check on the NOIM (intention of marriage)
VOWS & SPEECHES - don’t leave it to the last, get this process started now, you want to get your words right and that takes time
PHOTOS - Give your ‘must have’ photo shot list and family photos list to your photographer
LOCK IN all beauty appointments for the week of your wedding (nails, tans, wax)…
PRE WEDDING DINNER & RECOVERY SESSION - book in for your group, we have a list of recommendations for your pre wedding dinner or recovery session
DETAIL MEETING - we are going through everything you have planned and organised.
After this meeting it is time to:
- FLOOR PLAN & SEATING CHART - consider who sits where and put names to it. > pass names to stationary graphic designer. Make sure name tags match the seating chart (either use their given names or always use nicknames!)
- RUN SHEET - We went through timings for the day, confirm these with all suppliers, make sure you have all contact details including phone numbers ready - send to approve or tweak.

4 weeks to go

CONFIRM EVERYTHING - Check in with your stylist/furniture hire/ external suppliers to ensure placement, quantities, timings etc; confirm your final numbers and dietary requirements with your caterer; final check in with your florist to ensure button holes and bouquets are delivered to the right places at the right time.
PAYMENTS - most payments are due by now. We will confirm final numbers etc 3 weeks out for payment 14 days out.
WEAR YOUR SHOES IN - so they are comfy on the day
Finalise your seating plan and get your on the day stationery order finalised and printed.
Get rings cleaned / pick up wedding bands
Choose MC & pass on house rules, run sheet etc.

The week of your wedding is here

LAST CALL - Finalise your wedding run-sheet and send last final update to your A-team same with seating chart
TASKS TO ASSIGN:
1. A guest-gatherer for photos on wedding day ( if no assistant, always good to have someone who knows everyone)
2. A day-of point person for guest questions and person for Mewburn Park (Julia) to check in with (MC)
3. Someone to take wedding gifts home post-reception (wishing well & co)
NAILS, SPRAY TANS & Co - time to relax and enjoy being pampered 24-48hrs before
VOWS & SPEECHES - make sure they are finalised and printed on paper for celebrant.
Pack your bags for the night of and your honeymoon (if follow straight away)
Make sure both your outfits are ready for the next day. Check that everything is accounted for and ideally, steamed / ironed.

Your WEDDING - Planning Checklist and Timeline