Sue Raward is a authorised marriage celebrant servicing mainly the Gold Coast and Tweed and surrounding areas in QLD and NSW.
“Celebrant Sue is actually AMAZING! she was so helpful and made the whole process seem so seamless...”
Read more of this testimonial from March 2019.
When planning a wedding, there is so much you need to do before the big day. The checklist below is intended as a guide to help your wedding run smoothly.
My big first tip is that If you are planning an outdoor ceremony (see list of possible outdoor wedding locations on the Gold Coast) please ensure you have a wet weather plan including an alternative location that is undercover.
6-12 months out
- Decide on wedding budget and theme
- Set the wedding date, time and venue (suggestions for outdoor ceremony venue options, see list information below).
- Book reception venue
- Prepare guest list
- Choose caterers (if not supplied by venue)
- Choose musicians and / or music
- Book photographer
- Organiser flowers
- Book transport
- Choose attendants
- Select celebrant / clergyman or registry office
- Decide honeymoon (and get passports if necessary)
- Look at rings
- Book room for first night as married couple
- Begin beauty & fitness plan
- Organise stationery
3-6 months out
- Send invitations out
- Decide on menu & alcohol options
- Select MC
- Organise dresses for bridesmaids & attendants
- Finalise grooms’, groomsmen & attendant outfits
- Help organise accommodation for out of town guests
- Compile gift registry
- Begin writing speech
- Organise cake
- Decide on hair & makeup artist and make appointments for wedding day
- Work with celebrant to complete NOIM (must be completed 1 month and 1 day prior to the wedding)
- Organise hens’ party
1 month ahead
- Finalise guest list
- Have dress fitting for bride, bridesmaids & attendants
- Have hair trial (take headpiece!)
- Write vows and show celebrant
- Engrave rings
- Finalise speech & rehearse
- Practice bridal waltz
- Organise bomboniere
- Buy bridesmaids / attendants’ gifts
- Organise currency & vaccinations if going overseas for honeymoon
2 weeks ahead
- Wear in shoes
- Try on gown with all accessories
- Bridesmaids & attendants have final fitting (with all accessories)
- Finalise seating plan & place cards at reception
- Confirm caterer (and menu), florist, car hire, photographer, hair and makeup artist, cake, table decorations, music, honeymoon reservations
- Ceremony rehearsal
- Pick up rings
- Confirm speeches and order of events with MC
- Make up trial
1 week ahead
- Collect suit hire
- Pack for honeymoon
- Confirm transport for wedding party
- Decide who will return suit hire items
- Have a massage ☺
1 day before
- Have final manicure and spray tan
- Layout clothes
- Pamper yourself and relax
Please either call me on my mobile on 0403 605 057 or email me using