---

Congratulations, you’re engaged! 💍 Now comes one of the most exciting parts of the journey: planning your wedding.

While getting engaged is often a whirlwind of celebrations, champagne, and excitement, it’s usually not long before reality kicks in and the questions start rolling in. Where should we get married? How many guests should we invite? Who do we book first? How far in advance do we need to organise everything?

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone. After more than 10 years photographing and filming weddings across Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and South Australia, we’ve seen hundreds of weddings come together beautifully. The secret? Good planning.

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate Adelaide wedding planning checklist to help guide you from “Yes!” to “I do.”

12-18 Months Before The Wedding

This is the foundation stage of your wedding planning. The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have available.

Set Your Budget

Before booking anything, sit down together and decide:

• a rough overall wedding budget
• your priorities
• what matters most to you as a couple

Every wedding is different. Some couples prioritise photography and videography. Others focus on venue, food, entertainment, or guest experience. There are no right or wrong answers.

Create A Guest List Estimate

You don’t need a final guest list yet, but having an approximate number helps with:

• venue selection
• catering estimates
• budgeting
• planning logistics

Choose Your Wedding Date

Flexibility can sometimes save money and increase venue availability. If you’re planning a popular Adelaide wedding venue, booking early is highly recommended.

Book Your Venue

Many Adelaide wedding venues book out 12-24 months in advance. Popular locations include:

• Adelaide Hills wedding venues
• Barossa Valley wineries
• McLaren Vale vineyards
• Adelaide CBD venues
• beachfront locations

Once your venue is secured, everything else becomes much easier to plan.

Book Your Photographer & Videographer

This is one of the most important bookings you’ll make. Many experienced Adelaide wedding photographers and videographers are booked 12-18 months in advance.

At Travis & Benny Weddings, we often receive enquiries more than a year before the wedding date. Your photographer captures the memories you’ll keep forever, so it’s worth securing someone whose style you genuinely love.

9-12 Months Before The Wedding

Now things start becoming real.

Book Your Key Suppliers

Consider securing:

• celebrant
• florist
• entertainment or DJ
• live musicians
• hair and makeup artists
• transport
• wedding stylist

Popular Adelaide wedding suppliers can book out quickly.

Choose Your Bridal Party

This is a great time to officially ask your bridesmaids, groomsmen or bridal people!

Start Dress Shopping

Wedding dresses can take several months to order and alter. Starting early removes unnecessary stress later on.

Engagement Photos

Many couples choose to organise engagement photography during this stage. Engagement sessions are a fantastic way to:

• celebrate your engagement
• become comfortable in front of the camera
• build confidence before your wedding day

6-9 Months Before The Wedding

Send Save The Dates

Especially important if:

• guests are travelling
• you’re planning a destination wedding
• your wedding falls during a busy season

Finalise Major Styling Decisions

Begin planning:

• colour palettes
• floral styling
• décor
• ceremony design
• reception styling

Book Accommodation

Secure accommodation for:

• yourselves
• bridal party members
• interstate guests if required

Plan Your Honeymoon

Many couples find this stage exciting because it starts making everything feel very real.

3-6 Months Before The Wedding

Finalise Your Guest List

You’ll now have a much clearer picture of attendance numbers.

Order Invitations

Allow plenty of time for:

• printing
• postage
• RSVPs

Organise Wedding Rings

Don’t leave this one until the last minute.

Meet With Your Photographer

At Travis & Benny Weddings, this is often when we begin discussing:

• wedding timelines
• locations
• portrait plans
• family photo lists
• sunset photography opportunities

Good communication before the wedding day helps everything run smoothly.

Schedule Hair & Makeup Trials

This allows plenty of time for adjustments if needed.

1-3 Months Before The Wedding

Finalise Timelines

Create a clear wedding day timeline covering:

• preparations
• ceremony
• travel
• portraits
• reception

A well-planned timeline reduces stress and allows more time to enjoy your day.

Confirm Supplier Details

Reach out to all suppliers and confirm:

• arrival times
• contact details
• final requirements

Prepare Your Vows

If writing personal vows, now is the time.

Organise Final Payments

Getting these sorted early means one less thing to worry about closer to the wedding.

The Final Week

Take a breath. Seriously. The planning is done.

Pack Wedding Essentials

Prepare:

• rings
• shoes
• accessories
• vows
• emergency kit
• overnight bags

Delegate Small Tasks

Friends and family are usually happy to help. Let them.

Focus On Enjoying The Moment

The final week isn’t about perfection. It’s about excitement.

Your Wedding Day

After months, or even years, of planning, the day finally arrives. Our biggest piece of advice? Be present.

Things may not run perfectly. The weather may change. Timelines may shift slightly. But none of that matters.

What you’ll remember most are:

• the people
• the emotions
• the laughter
• the hugs
• the moments you shared together

Trust your suppliers. Trust your planning. And enjoy every second.

Why Planning Matters

The best weddings aren’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive. They’re the ones where couples feel relaxed enough to actually enjoy the day.

Good planning creates space for:

• genuine moments
• meaningful connections
• unforgettable memories

Which, as photographers and videographers, are our favourite things to capture.

Planning Your Adelaide Wedding?

At Travis & Benny Weddings, we’ve spent more than a decade helping Adelaide couples navigate their wedding journey while capturing beautiful photographs and films along the way.

From Adelaide Hills weddings to Barossa celebrations, McLaren Vale vineyard weddings, and city weddings throughout Adelaide, we’ve seen firsthand what helps a wedding day run smoothly.

Our approach is simple: capture real moments, genuine emotion, and the story of your day as naturally as possible.

Because the best weddings aren’t about perfection.

They’re about people, memories, and celebrating the start of something incredible 🤍