Getting Married in Adelaide? Start Here.
The Complete Adelaide Wedding Planning Timeline
You've Said Yes. Now What?
You've said yes.
You've called your family.
You've posted the ring photo.
And somewhere between celebrating and scrolling Pinterest, you've probably asked yourself:
"What do we actually do first?"
At Imagine Bridal, we meet brides at every stage of wedding planning.
Some arrive with spreadsheets, colour palettes and venue contracts already secured.
Others sit down and say:
"We've just got engaged and honestly have no idea where to start."
If that's you, you're not alone.
The good news is that wedding planning becomes much less overwhelming when you know the order to tackle things.
And despite what many brides think...
The first thing you should book isn't your wedding dress.
It's your venue.
Step One: Find Your Adelaide Wedding Venue
Your venue is the foundation of your wedding day. Venue’s can only book one wedding per date typically, and so getting into your dream venue is absolutely step one. If you have a special date in mind lock this in early it will not last long. Most venues in Adelaide book 2 years out. Book a tour and visit that venue.
Before you can book most other vendors, you'll need a confirmed date.
Your venue determines:
Your wedding date
Guest capacity
Wedding style and aesthetic
Photography locations
Overall budget
Vendor availability
Netherhill Farm was the perfect backdrop for this photo-shoot, a little hidden gem The venue featured throughout this editorial perfectly demonstrates how a thoughtfully selected location can shape the entire atmosphere of a wedding day.
From the architecture and natural light to the styling opportunities and photography backdrops, your venue influences almost every wedding decision that follows.
Once Your Venue Is Booked, Start Securing Your Key Vendors
One of the biggest mistakes Adelaide couples make is assuming they have plenty of time.
The reality?
Many sought-after wedding vendors book 12 months or more in advance, particularly during Adelaide's peak wedding season from September through May.
Your Adelaide Wedding Planning Timeline
Meet The Photographer Behind This Editorial
Every image throughout this guide was captured by Adelaide wedding photographer Katarina Brincat, who not only photographed this editorial but was also instrumental in bringing the creative vision together from concept through to execution. The result is a beautiful example of what can happen when talented wedding vendors collaborate with a shared vision and a strong creative direction.
When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?
Your photographer is one of the first vendors we recommend securing after your venue.
Unlike florals or styling, photography cannot be recreated after the day is over. Once your date is booked, it's worth reaching out to photographers whose work you genuinely connect with.
Many Adelaide wedding photographers book 10–16 months in advance, particularly for popular dates during peak wedding season. Early enquiries not only give you the best chance of securing your preferred photographer, but also allow time to build a relationship before your wedding day.
Why Photography Matters
Long after the flowers have faded and the cake has been eaten, your photographs become one of the few tangible reminders of your wedding day.
The best wedding photography captures more than portraits. It preserves the nervous excitement before the ceremony, the reactions of family and friends, the details you've spent months planning, and the moments you may not even realise happened.
The imagery throughout this editorial is a perfect example of that balance between beautiful styling and genuine emotion.
Connect With Katarina
If you love the imagery featured throughout this guide and are searching for an Adelaide wedding photographer with a modern, romantic and editorial approach, we highly recommend reaching out to Katarina.
12 Months Before Your Wedding
Book Hair & Makeup
Once your venue and date are secured, this should move straight to the top of your list.
Chelsea Watson | Adelaide Wedding Hair Stylist
Chelsea recommends reaching out as soon as your date is confirmed.
"The best way to stand out to your vendors is to engage on socials with them. If you support them they will want to support you. Don't be shy, liking, commenting and sharing content is your best way to stand out."
Chelsea's Hot Tip
Clip-in extensions are the secret behind many bridal hairstyles.
Even brides with naturally thick hair can benefit from extensions because they help curls hold for longer and create the perfect structure for upstyles.
Jessica Searle | Adelaide Makeup Artist
Jessica opens her books approximately 12 months in advance and encourages brides to enquire as soon as their wedding date is secured.
Popular Adelaide wedding dates can fill quickly.
"Your wedding makeup artist is with you during some of the most important moments of your morning, so choose someone whose style you love and whose presence makes you feel comfortable. The best fit is about more than just beautiful makeup."
Jessica's Hot Tip
Before booking a bridal trial, consider booking a special occasion makeup appointment.
You'll get to experience your artist's style, see how the makeup wears throughout the day, and determine whether you're a good fit before investing in a wedding trial.
Book Your Florist
Floral’s play a huge role in defining the atmosphere of your wedding.
Whether your vision is romantic, editorial, modern or wildly creative, your florist helps bring it to life.
FLWR.bttm - Flower Bottom
The team recommends reaching out as soon as you have a rough wedding date in mind and definitely once your venue is secured.
Early conversations allow more time to develop a cohesive styling concept.
"Don't be afraid to go bold, and really challenge expectations of what wedding florals look like; think strange and wonderful bouquets, statement moments and unexpected installations. You (and your florist) won't regret it."
Floral Hot Tip
Rather than becoming attached to a single flower variety, tell your florist what you love about it.
Colour, shape, movement and texture can often be recreated using seasonal alternatives that achieve the same feeling while working with nature's availability.
12 Months Before Your Wedding: Start Wedding Dress Shopping
This is where brides should begin visiting bridal boutiques and exploring designers.
Many wedding gowns require:
6–8 months production time
Shipping and quality control
Alterations and fittings
Starting early gives you the best possible selection and removes unnecessary stress.
Around 10 Months Before Your Wedding: Say Yes To The Dress
We recommend making your final gown decision approximately 10 months before your wedding.
This timeline comfortably allows:
Designer ordering
Production lead times
Delivery
Alterations
Accessory styling
One of the most common misconceptions brides have is that alterations are something you organise once the dress arrives.
In reality, that's often too late.
Book Alterations When You Order Your Gown
This advice is especially important for Adelaide brides.
Our recommended alterations specialist is often fully booked throughout peak wedding season from September through May.
We encourage brides to reserve alteration appointments as soon as their gown is ordered rather than waiting until collection.
This ensures your fitting schedule is already secured when your dress arrives.
Wedding Accessories: Earlier Than You Think
Many brides assume accessories come right at the end.
While they can be selected later, we often recommend ordering them alongside your gown.
This includes:
Veils
Lace scarves
Sleeves
Jewellery
Overskirts
Bridal gloves
The lace scarf featured throughout this editorial is a perfect example of how one styling piece can completely transform a bridal look.
Having accessories available early also allows them to be incorporated into alterations and fittings.
The Adelaide Wedding Planning Order We Recommend
Set your budget
Choose your wedding season
Tour Adelaide wedding venues
Secure your venue and date
Book photographer
Book florist
Book hair and makeup
Start wedding dress shopping (12 months out)
Say yes to the dress (around 10 months out)
Book alterations immediately after ordering your gown
Choose accessories
Enjoy your engagement
Ready To Start Wedding Dress Shopping?
If you've secured your wedding date and are ready to begin searching for your dream dress, we'd love to welcome you into the studio.
At Imagine Bridal, we help Adelaide brides navigate every stage of the wedding planning journey—from finding the perfect gown to creating a timeline that keeps the entire process stress-free.
Because finding your dress should feel exciting, memorable and completely unforgettable.
Planning Your On the Day Wedding Timeline
While this guide focuses on when to book your wedding vendors, you'll also need to think about the timeline for the actual wedding day itself.
Our friends at LHG Media, who specialise in Adelaide weddings, have created a free Wedding Timeline Calculator to help you plan ceremony times, photography, hair and makeup schedules, family photos and reception timings.
It's a fantastic tool for creating a realistic wedding day run sheet once your major bookings are in place.
Button: Try the Wedding Timeline Calculator