For some couples, wedding planning is less about ticking boxes and more about creating something that feels unmistakably you. You might feel the pull to put your own personal stamp on things and make creative decisions for your wedding that resonate with your values and loves, whether that be particular colours, aesthetics, fonts, pets, photos or even a monogram.

If that sounds like you, designing your own wedding invitations can be one of the most satisfying parts of the process. Not only because it is the cheapest option, but because it gives you a chance to shape the look and feel of your wedding from the very beginning. It can also be a lifesaver if you are planning on a shorter timeline and need something customised and beautiful, fast.

From quality print wedding invitations, wedding stationery sets (with save the dates, rsvp cards, wedding invitation cards and bridal shower invitations), paper goods, signs and laser cut items, it’s sometimes confusing for engaged couples to know where to start.

Kate from Bluebelle Studio prides herself on offering custom design services to bring her clients’ vision to life with letterpress, white ink laser-cut, foiling, engraving and printed wood modern production processes.

We asked Kate for her best advice and top tips for sourcing, planning and ordering all your wedding stationery needs.

One of the smartest decisions you can make at the start of your wedding planning is to invest time in setting up a personal wedding website. Because it’s not only your wedding guests who’ll benefit from it!

While the best wedding website builders can definitely make it easier for your family and friends to access all of the information they need any time they need it, the more advanced ones will also help you plan every last detail of your special day more efficiently (i.e. less hours and cash spent by you) and with a lot less duplication of contact details, RSVP frustration and confusion all ‘round.

Your wedding day is likely to be one of the most significant events in your life, and the wedding vendors you choose to book and trust play a crucial role in bringing your vision to life. While most wedding professionals are talented, reliable, and genuinely care about your big day, there are unfortunately some who fall well short of expectations.

After speaking with thousands of couples as a celebrant and hearing both triumph and horror stories on our Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning podcast, we've compiled the 5 most common red flags to watch out for when hiring your wedding dream team.

Spotting these warning signs early can save you from a lot of stress, disappointment, and potentially, a lot of money too.

Gone are the days when wedding success was measured by the number of guests you host. Couples are embracing the "less is more" philosophy with open arms, trading in 100+ family and friends for more intimate gatherings that pack a serious emotional punch. Micro-weddings, typically defined as celebrations with 50 or fewer guests, have evolved from a pandemic necessity to the intentional first choice for modern couples everywhere.

But what's driving this shift toward smaller celebrations? Is it just about saving money, or is there something else going on? At Unbridely, we've witnessed this transformation firsthand, and we're here to break down why these pocket-sized parties are creating such massive waves in the wedding world.

 What if I told you there's a way to make your ceremony as unique and as vibrant and as deep and as weird and quirky as your relationship?   Today I'm digging into the world of non-traditional wedding readings. 

Forget the same old scripture passages (unless that's your jam, in which case there's nothing to see here) I want to talk about poems that speak to your soul and make your heart skip a beat. Song lyrics that make you cry, and even quotes from your favourite TV show or movie that make you feel stuff.

How do you start a name change after marriage?

What are your name change options?

What sort of identification do you need to change your name?

Did you know that it takes the average person who DIYs their name change 8 hours to do the research, paperwork, emails, letters and all the admin needed? And depending on where you live, the options you have for changing your last name after marriage and the process for each company, institution or membership to enact that change, can differ as well.

Genevieve Dennis from Easy Name Change has been helping newlyweds save hours while changing their names for 15 years now and I’m excited for her to share her extensive global knowledge with you.

Here are Gen’s top 9 pro tips for changing your name after marriage more quickly and with less stress!

When a couple gets married, as much as it’s about them, their relationship and their future, it’s also the coming together of two families.

There are customary or traditional roles for the parents of the couple in a wedding ceremony and including siblings is becoming more common as well.

But when the couple getting married already have children, either from a previous relationship or before they get married, it stands to reason that they’re included and recognised during the wedding ceremony too.

While the sand ceremony or ritual is wonderfully inclusive and symbolic, it has been DONE (and done and done again!).

So we need some new, relevant and maybe less kitch (?) ways to include children (and sometimes other family members too) in a wedding ceremony and I think these 8 ideas are unique and fun.

This week we are kicking off the first in a series of checklists to help you make the important decisions when hiring your vendors (fancy-speak for wedding suppliers, you know, the people who you pay to make the day even more unforgettable).

First up is your venue!

Even though it’s a romantic throwaway line (“we should just elope”) it’s the compromise factor is where many couples come unstuck. It’s when the unending questions, both internal and external, and the FOMO gets real as you play out the real-life consequences of eloping.

At Unbridely, we believe, with some forethought, clever planning and choosing the best wedding vendors for you, that your elopement can absolutely be everything you need it to be and more.

And for your nearest and dearest, you can reveal your news to them in a way that makes them feel respected as well.

For Greta from GretaKate, her affinity for fashion design runs much deeper than simply creating garments.

She feels incredibly lucky to be part of a bride's wedding day and the preparation and planning stages as well: "I often spend over a year getting to know a bride and her life. It’s wonderful sharing all her excitement leading up to the big day."

To help you with selecting, shopping for and ordering the perfect wedding gown for you, Greta has pulled together her 17 Essential Wedding Dress Shopping Tips.

Thank you, Greta!

Every extra year after your wedding day, your memories are going to fade just that little bit more.

And your recollection of how things looked and felt, who attended and what you ate are all likely to become a little less crisp as time passes.

To have an heirloom quality wedding photo album within easy reach is as much for you now as your family in the future. Because deep down we know that our photos kept on a USB or hard drive collecting dust in a drawer will not be looked at 10 years from now.

In this simple 5 step guide, we will share the secrets to crafting a stunning wedding photo album that not only captures your most-loved memories of the day but also reflects your unique love story.

Are you feeling like you're drowning in a never-ending sea of decisions and to-do lists?

You aren’t alone.

Because while planning your dream wedding can be an exciting and rewarding journey, let's be honest - it can also be a significant time suck. But with some strategic planning and the latest tech-savvy tools, you can more easily navigate this stage and still enjoy the anticipation of your celebration. Let’s dive in! 

I’m betting one of the tasks you've still got on your to-do list – and somehow keeps slipping further down – is writing your wedding vows. 

You know, the personal and heartfelt promises you're going to make to each other?

To help you along, I’m going to tell you everything you want to know – plus a few points you didn't even know existed – about writing your wedding vows

One of the most common concerns that engaged couples have about their wedding day is the level of emotion and, more specifically, how they’re going to control their crying.

So first up, if you’re a little worried, I need you to know; you are not alone.

Of course, when you’re reciting your heartfelt vows we don’t want to stop those feelings, that’s the whole bloody reason why you’re there! But, there is a fine line between expressing yourself authentically and maybe ruining the moment.

The good news is, there are some steps you can take to feel more in control and to minimise those embarrassing snotty snorts through the microphone (yes, they get amplified too!).

When you're trying to decide who you want in your wedding party there are dozens of conflicting priorities to consider:

• Should your sister be your maid of honour (family before all else)?

• Should your squad be all women (or at least female identifying)?

• Should all of your bridesmaids wear the same dress?

At Unbridely, we believe that your wedding should not only look good but FEEL awesome too.

We believe that choosing your bridesmaids (or bridesdudes, bridesmen, wedding party, wedding squad, team <YOUR NAME HERE>) should fill you with a sense of excitement, gratitude and love.

Once you've got a draft list of your candidates, ask yourself these key questions before you start proposing;

While tradition and custom have played large roles in dictating what a couple does and who’s been involved in the past, many modern couples are now questioning common expectations and creating their own ways of arriving and starting their wedding ceremonies.

If you've been wondering what a wedding processional is all about, why there has to be a wedding processional, and how it works in different settings, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know, including who walks down the aisle first in a gay wedding.

Let's dive right in!

The truth is, I don’t know everything. Shocking, I know.

But, there is no single person that knows everything there is to know about relationships, marriages, weddings, the whole kit and caboodle. But I have been around many weddings in my time and I’ve heard many a story of things that would be done differently if they had their day again.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

So, I’m jumping straight into it with 3 little-known secrets to your best wedding celebration!

Assembling your bridesmaids, your ‘i do crew’, or your ‘ride or die’ to support and cheer you on for your big day (and all the festivities that come before and after it) is one of the funniest (totally a word) parts of planning your wedding.

As an engaged person, everyone is loving on you and your financé most of the time. But this is the moment you get to say to your squad: “you are my world and I can’t do this without you”. You want your people to feel appreciated, honoured and valued when you ask them to be in your wedding party.

To truly personalise your ‘will you be my bridesmaid’ gifts, and hopefully save a little money in the process, going DIY is a great option.

Collecting your wedding invitation RSVPs is a critical element of planning your wedding and staying on budget. Because when you know your final numbers and other guest requirements on time it's easier for your venue manager, wedding planner or caterer to make provisions for seats, food, and beverages.

This saves you from any unnecessary headaches and costs that come when you over or underestimate your guest numbers or the confirmation comes too late. And any anxiety you’re feeling can take a back seat too!

These ‘per person’ purchases also extend to decor elements like napkins, tablecloths, table numbers and centrepieces and can affect the timing of printing or production of seating charts, escort cards, wedding favours and order of ceremony booklets.

So how much time should you give your wedding guests to RSVP? And how do you make it easier to get your family and friends to RSVP?

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about finding the perfect engagement ring size, from the basics of measuring your finger to resizing a ring that’s too big.

With the expert help advice from Class A Jewellers and this guide, you’ll no longer need to worry about how to find your perfect engagement ring size. And you will feel relaxed, super excited, and confident come proposal day.

One of the most exciting, and sometimes nail-biting, parts of planning your wedding will be deciding who will be in your bridal party (just the girls) or wedding party (if you choose a mix of your fav people).

While some couples have known since kindergarten who will be in their wedding party, others are making choices based on practicality, budget, distance, how many guests will be invited and the formality of their plans. There's a lot to consider!

Once you've finally landed on your people, if you're struggling with the perfect way to propose to your future bridesmaids, groomsmen or wedding party, we’re here to help!

Your wedding dress (or bridal suit, jumpsuit, wedding bikini) is likely to be one of the most expensive outfits you’ll ever wear and making decisions about the styles you like, the colour you prefer and length that will work for you can seem exhausting.

And this is before you even start the search for the place where you’ll find such a magical gown!

“We are no longer allowed to dance, I have no maid of honour or flower girl as my sister is in Stage 3 Lockdown in Bendigo - 20 family members are not allowed to come as they are interstate and my best friend of 20 years from Canada cannot come.

BUT we have decided to go ahead because what is most important is our commitment and marriage to each other! We decided where there is a will, there is a way. We are making the best of a bad situation while still enjoying our big day.”

As Lachy and Cindy discovered, while differing levels of COVID-19 restrictions are in effect (depending on where & when your wedding is being held), there’s still a lot you can do to have fun at your wedding while keeping yourself, and your closest family and friends, as safe as possible.

There are some specific questions you need to ask your wedding cake baker to avoid disappointment with a low-quality product (and service) down the track.

Asking these questions will ensure the best looking and yummiest cake is delivered for your wedding on time, the way you want it and also that the crucial pieces of information that are required for a baker to give you an accurate quote (no scary bill at the end!) are communicated early.

It’s completely understandable, given that you’ve probably never planned a wedding before, how you might get caught up in the process and forget some of the finer details that will help your day run so much smoother.

One of these details, that some couples overlook, is their "wedding vendor meals."

Although you might not be aware, it’s common for photographers, videographers, and other all-day wedding vendors to require a set number of meals for their staff to be able to work on your big day.

Congratulations on your engagement!

There are exciting times ahead but right now, you’re still drunk on the love, right?

This is the best part, but also, that’s when ‘they’ get ya!

Like it, or not (mostly, not) you are going to be on the receiving end of a lot of (sometimes unwelcome) advice and it will all start from the moment you announce your engagement.

So I wanted to give you a little heads up BEFORE you start planning ANYTHING.

A modern, Unbridely approach to weddings means couples have the freedom to choose if they even want to have a wedding party in the first place; as in attendants; bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honour, etc.

So if having a squad of your closest friends or family members by your side on your wedding day brings warm, squishy, happy feelings for you, then we want to help make sure they look the part.

Here are some of the hot bridesmaid dress looks we are currently obsessing over for the 2022 season.

Planning a wedding with divorced parents can present an engaged couple with a virtual minefield of unspoken misunderstandings, hurt feelings and tension. Navigating the sometimes complex dynamics between family members requires some sensitivity and planning ahead.

Here are a few of our best tips to help make your big day as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.