Planning a wedding can be stressful – if you aren’t confident doing it yourself, consider hiring a local wedding planner. Photo: Stories by Stevie.
With so many variables at play, planning a wedding can be challenging. Elements involved can include guest lists, venues, sound and lighting, music, catering and floristry – not to mention finding the perfect dress and suit to match. Every detail counts when you’re planning and executing such an important event. That’s why many people work with trusted wedding planners rather than taking everything on themselves.
A professional wedding planner takes the stress out of organising your wedding, no matter the size or specifics. From start to finish, your wedding planner should design, prepare and run the event without a hitch. They strive to exceed the expectations of the bride and groom, and their valued guests.
In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a wedding planner, and share where to find the best in Canberra.
What makes a great wedding planner?
With great wedding planners, your special day should run smoothly. Experienced professionals give you confidence and reassure you that every little detail will be taken care of. A great planner can also save you time and money.
It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a wedding planner:
- Experience. Experienced wedding planners have an edge over those just starting out. They are more likely to have a large industry network, the ability to smooth over stressful situations, and go above and beyond to make your day special.
- Excellent track record. You’ll want a wedding planner with an excellent track record. Check online to see how long they’ve been in business. Browse reviews and carry out a background check. Ask for testimonials and referrals from family and friends. These are great ways to gauge experience and reliability.
- Specialist expertise. Consider a planner who specialises in weddings to avoid any oversights due to lack of experience. There are many elements of a wedding that won’t necessarily apply to events like birthdays and corporate functions.
- Reliable network. Quality wedding planners tap into extensive, trusted networks. This includes the many suppliers and vendors involved in a wedding. Some examples are venues, caterers, furniture hire firms, florists, lighting and sound experts, tailors, celebrants and decorators.
- Well priced and insured. We all know weddings can get expensive quickly. Request a detailed quote in writing from your wedding planner that itemises all costs, including planning fees. Be sure to check that your wedding planner has appropriate insurance.
The best wedding planners in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
Canberra Event Management and Styling
Canberra Event Management and Styling is a multi-award winning events planner that specialises in weddings, corporate events, conferences, and more.
With a stellar reputation and 15 years of experience, this company is committed to realising all the tiny details that make a wedding truly special. They also offer an exclusive service for small ceremonies and elopements: Canberra Intimate Weddings and Replenishing Retreats.
From seamless planning to the finest styling and venue hire options, they leave no stone unturned or deail untouched. Led by Creative Director Carissa Webster, the team thrives on the creation of unforgettable memories that will be talked about for years to come.
Canberra Event Management and Styling believes strongly in the power of personal connections. They invite you to experience their beautifully presented showroom through a free interactive consultation, where you can immerse yourself in the world of possibilities your planner will bring to life.
As Courtney wrote on Google, "Carissa was so kind, responsive, efficient and willing to help in all aspects of our wedding planning. Carissa was amazing and absolutely indispensable in finding us a new wedding venue when our previous venue closed with only a few days notice. The styling items we hired were a breeze to organise and the team was amazing in the set up and pack down on the day, making it truly a stress-free experience. I would highly recommend Carissa and her service to all those looking for a smooth wedding planning process!"
Show Pony Events
With more than two decades of experience under their belt, the team at Show Pony Events have delivered high-class memorable events to clients of all kinds.
This versatile management, styling and design company offers an end-to-end service that includes event planning, styling, setup and coordination of every detail throughout the day.
Whether it's a wedding, conference, corporate function or gala dinner, Show Pony has the experience to meet and exceed client expectations every time.
Canberra Small Weddings
Masters of intimate and elopement weddings, Canberra Small Weddings is a flexible, relaxed alternative to the registry office.
The team offers an affordable wedding package that includes photography, celebrant and legal services for events with up to 30 guests.
All that's left for the bride and groom is pick to a date and time (Sunday - Thursday), choose a local venue, invite their nearest and dearest, and show up to celebrate.
A Touch of Elegance
A Touch of Elegance has over 40 years of experience with event planning, including display, design and decorating. The team knows the industry inside and out, offering the latest products and services for weddings, corporate events and any special occasion.
Catering for both small and large events, A Touch of Elegance showcases their expertise through world-class ceiling canopies, wall linings, candleabras, flowers, mood lighting, table centrepieces, themed design and more.
Canberra Intimate Weddings
Canberra Intimate Weddings is the combined passion project of Carissa Webster from Canberra Events Management and Styling, and Pat Coelho from CBR Celebrant.
To keep things as affordable as possible, ceremonies are available only on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
The bride and groom only need to organise their attire and arrive on their special day with a few of their closest friends and family. Canberra Intimate Weddings expertly cover every other detail.
If you’re looking for more information on wedding planning, especially if you intend to handle some components yourself, you might like our articles on the best event planners, best function venues, best florists, best photographers and best kid’s birthday party venues Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with the best wedding planners in Canberra?
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the wedding planners listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a wedding planner do?
A wedding planner is responsible for the sourcing and coordination of wedding vendors, suppliers and important people. They are essentially a project manager that oversees the planning of your entire day.
What should you ask a wedding planner?
Before you get into questions about your specific wedding vision, be sure to ask a potential wedding planner about their availability, rates, experience, license/insurance, planning style, network, references, overview of services, and cancellation policy. These answers should give you a better idea on whether they'll be suitable.
How much do wedding planners cost?
How much a wedding planner costs generally depends on what you're looking for. Highly experienced planners offering premium services for large or complex weddings will naturally cost more than a boutique planner organising an intimate ceremony.
What's the most important part of wedding planning?
The most important part of wedding planning is setting your budget. This should be the first thing you finalise, as it will determine everything from the venue to how many guests you invite.
What common mistakes are made when planning a wedding?
Some of the most common mistakes when planning a wedding are: Not planning a budget. Not delegating enough time to photo opportunities. Inviting anyone and everyone. Assigning roles to the wrong people. Doing everything yourself.
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