Planning your wedding is pure magic—until you realise how many moving parts there are! But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Whether you’re dreaming of a stunning Central Coast wedding with ocean views or a romantic Hunter Valley celebration tucked between the vines, getting organised early is the secret to smooth sailing. That’s why I’ve created the Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline, covering everything from locking in your Central Coast celebrant (hint, hint!) to nailing down your dream venue and every little detail in between.

12 Months or More: The Wed Vision and Big Decisions

With a year (or more!) to go, it’s time to dive into the big decisions that’ll shape the rest of your wedding planning. Let’s get started!

• Set Your Wedding Budget (because no one wants to stress over receipts)

Before you book anything, it’s time to get real with your budget. Whether it’s a rough range or a clear dollar amount, having a budget will help you prioritise. Don’t forget to factor in key costs like your Central Coast or Hunter Valley marriage celebrant, venue, catering, photography, florals, and other vendors. Knowing what matters most to you—whether it’s a killer dance floor or the perfect sunset ceremony photo —will help you figure out where to splurge and where to save.

• Choose Your Venue (because you want that dream location locked in!)

Popular Central Coast and Hunter Valley wedding venues can book out more than a year in advance, so if you’ve been dreaming of a beachfront ceremony or vineyard celebration, now’s the time to start touring. Once you find “the one” (venue, not partner—you’ve already done that), lock in your date ASAP! After that, you can start booking the rest of your vendors without the panic.

• Book Your Celebrant (third most important person of the day—after you two, of course!)

  Let’s be real—the celebrant is definitely one of the most important people on your wedding day. For Central Coast and Hunter Valley weddings, locking in your celebrant early guarantees you get someone who totally gets your vibe and will bring all the feels to your ceremony. I’m taking bookings up to two years in advance (yes, that’s a hint), so don’t wait too long to snap up your top choice!

• Draft Your Guest List

You don’t need a final headcount just yet, but having a rough idea of how many guests will join you helps with venue size, catering, and pretty much everything else. Pro tip: if you’re planning a destination wedding, be prepared for a full house! Who doesn’t love an excuse for a mini getaway?

9-12 Months: Build Your Vendor Dream Team

Now that the big decisions are sorted, it’s time to assemble your dream team of vendors to keep your wedding day running like clockwork. Let’s get to it!

• Book Your Photographer, Videographer and Content Creator (because those candid shots aren’t going to take themselves)

Photographers and videographers in the Central Coast and Hunter Valley are just as in-demand as celebrants, so don’t wait too long to book! Honestly, about half the couples I work with either just booked their photographer or are scrambling to do so right after me. Start your search early, and lock in your faves. The good news? You can totally cyber-stalk their portfolios on their websites and socials to create your shortlist. No awkward phone calls required. I’m also a fan of Content Creators - capturing the candid shots and sending them straight to you the next day, all tidied up into a gorgeous little reel or two for the ‘gram.

• Choose Your Florist

Your wedding aesthetic can’t wow without them. Whether you're after fresh blooms, everlasting arrangements, or silk or faux florals, the top Central Coast and Hunter Valley florists will know exactly what’s in season, what’s trending, and most importantly—what’s within budget! Trust me, they’ll blow your socks off. Lock ‘em in.

• Pick Your Wedding Dress (because no one said “yes” to the first dress they tried on. Well, not many)

Ah, the wedding dress search—the moment every bride has been dreaming about. But here’s the kicker: it takes longer than you think! You’ll need to start dress shopping at least 6 to 12 months ahead of the big day (and yes, that’s before you start panic-buying shoes). Leave plenty of time for fittings and alterations, especially if you’re going all-in on a custom or couture gown. After all, perfection can’t be rushed.

6-9 Months: Finalise the Details

Now that you’ve got your major vendors sorted, it’s time to dive into the smaller (but no less important) bits that will make your wedding truly unforgettable. Here’s how to sprinkle some extra magic on your big day:

• Send Save-the-Dates (because you don’t want anyone saying, "Wait, when’s the wedding?")

With your venue and guest list locked in, now’s the time to send out those save-the-dates. This is especially crucial for Hunter Valley and Central Coast destination weddings—guests will need time to plan their travels, book accommodation, and maybe even find a pet sitter. The sooner, the better!

• Book Your Entertainment (because what’s a wedding without a killer playlist?)

Whether you’re dreaming of a live band, DJ, string quartet, or an acoustic musician to set the vibe, book your wedding entertainment now to snag your top choice. Central Coast and Hunter Valley weddings are known for featuring incredible local talent, adding that perfect touch of homegrown charm to your celebration. Plus, who doesn’t love dancing under the stars to the sounds of a local artist?

• Plan Your Ceremony (this is where the magic happens)

The heart of your wedding day is the ceremony itself, so grab your marriage celebrant (that’s me, remember?) and start crafting something personal and beautiful. Bring all your wild, wonderful ideas to the table—whether it's unique vows, special readings, or deciding who gets to be your witnesses. Let’s make it a ceremony that’s as unforgettable as your love story.

• Choose Wedding Party outfits

Whether it’s elegant dresses, snazzy suits, or something fun and out-of-the-box (disco pants, anyone?), now’s the time to pick your wedding party’s outfits. Make sure they have enough time for fittings and alterations—because no one wants a wardrobe malfunction on the big day! And don’t forget, this part of wedding planning should be fun—cue the champagne and a fitting room dance-off.

3-6 Months: Final Preparations

As your wedding day edges closer (cue excited squeals), it’s time to start locking in those final details with your vendors and handle any last-minute tweaks without breaking a sweat.

• Finalise the Menu and Cake (because, let’s be real, food is everything)

  It’s time to treat yourself! Schedule a menu tasting with your caterer and cake maker to make sure your taste buds are as happy as your heart. If you’re tying the knot at one of the gorgeous Central Coast, Newcastle and Hunter Valley wedding venues that are experienced with large events, chances are they’ve got in-house catering that'll take all the stress off your plate—pun intended. Easy peasy, right?

• Confirm Vendor Details (because the show must go on—on time!)

Now’s the time to touch base with all your wedding MVPs. Check in with your florist, photographer, celebrant (hey, that's me!), and anyone else who’s making your day magical. Confirm all the nitty-gritty details—arrival times, what needs to be paid, and when. This ensures smooth sailing on the big day, leaving you to focus on what matters: marrying the love of your life.

• Send Out Invitations (before your guests wonder if you’ve eloped)

Your wedding invitations should hit mailboxes around 3-4 months before the big day. Don’t forget those RSVP deadlines and add some handy accommodation suggestions for any out-of-towners—especially if you're planning a dreamy destination wedding. People need time to plan their trip and snag the perfect outfit, after all. Hot tip: put guest arrival time as well as ceremony start time on the invitations. Thank me later ;)

• Organise Transportation (because no one wants to get lost on the way to “I Do”)

If your ceremony and reception are in different spots—or if you’ve got guests making the trip to the Central Coast or Hunter Valley—you’ll want to lock in transportation early. Give your guests one less thing to worry about, so they can focus on getting to the dance floor on time.

1-3 Months to Go: The Final Countdown!

With just a few months left until the big day, it’s time to fine-tune those final details and make sure everything is in perfect order.

• Sign your Notice of Intended Marriage (because love and paperwork make it official)

You’ve got to have your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) signed, witnessed and lodged at least one month before the big day. Without it, the whole “I Do” part gets a little tricky - and your Marriage Ceremony will fast become a Commitment Ceremony (just like on Married at First Sight - yikes!). Your celebrant will guide you through the process, ensuring everything is legally sorted before the big day.

• Create a Wedding Day Timeline (so everything flows as smoothly as the champagne)

Work with your celebrant and vendors to map out the full timeline for the day. If you’re getting a bit overwhelmed, it’s not too late to hire an on-the-day coordinator (worth their weight in gold, I promise). This should cover everything from hair and makeup to the ceremony, reception, and even the afterparty (if you’ve got one planned). The goal? Zero stress, all joy!

• Confirm Guest RSVPs (because feeding surprise guests is no fun)

It’s time to track down those elusive RSVPs. Follow up with any guests who haven’t responded yet so you can finalise your numbers for catering, seating, and all the other logistics that depend on a solid headcount.

1-2 Weeks to Go: The Finishing Touches

With the big day just around the corner, focus on relaxing and soaking up the excitement—oh, and ticking off these last-minute tasks.

• Reconfirm Vendor Arrangements (because no one likes a wedding-day surprise)

Check in with all your vendors to confirm arrival times and go over any last-minute details. Make sure your Central Coast or Hunter Valley celebrant, photographer, florist, and everyone else are on the same page. The fewer surprises, the better!

• Pack Your Wedding Day Bag

Make sure you’ve got all the essentials ready to go: your vows, rings, makeup, tissues for happy tears, and some comfy shoes to keep you dancing all night long. You’ll thank yourself later!

Planning a wedding is no small task, right? But don’t feel scared - feel excited! You got this! I got this! We got this!

Ready to lock in the best ceremony you’ve ever been to? Let’s Chat