The 7 Best Wedding Planners In Queensland
ABIA looks at the role of the Wedding Planner, and reveals some of Queensland's favourites, as voted by recently-married couples and announced at the wedding industry's celebrated ABIA Awards in 2022
Lovebird Weddings | Image Ash + Stone
It’s the job of a Wedding Planner to ensure every element of a wedding runs smoothly, but if you're wondering why you'd need one, or what exactly they do, read on as we take a look at these fairy-godparents of the wedding world.
And, if you're planning a wedding in Queensland, this one's especially for you! To help the engaged couples of the Sunshine State plan their weddings stress-free, ABIA takes a look at the reviews, ratings and recommendations left by recently married-duos, to find the Top 7 Wedding Planners from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, to Stradbroke Island, the Whitsundays, and everywhere in between.
Why do engaged couples need a Wedding Planner?
If you’ve seen Bridesmaids, Bride Wars, Meet The Parents, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, or any number of other hilarious — yet mildly anxiety-inducing — rom-com movies, you’ll know weddings have the potential to be somewhat-stressful events. The good news is, in reality they needn’t be. With the right wedding planner or coordinator, ceremonies run smoothly and receptions become the relaxed, fun-filled celebrations of love that they are intended to be.
Storybook & Co | Image @emmajadephotographer
What does a Wedding Planner do?
Depending on the particular arrangement, a Wedding Planner can assist with every element of a ‘wedding, from planning the engagement party, right through to styling the event space, and overseeing bookings for the wedding night accommodation and honeymoon.
Many Wedding Planners offer set packages, and the scope of their support is usually agreed in advance, and is generally shaped by the level of input a couple wants to have and how much help they are able to afford.
The best Wedding Planners are also a well-regarded source or recommendations and contacts, and it’s this expertise and experience that often renders them invaluable.
Image Marisa Morton
A Wedding Planner’s assistance can include:
In the lead up -
- Recommending, visiting and booking appropriate venues for the ceremony and reception
- Negotiating with vendors like caterers, photographers and event stylists
- Booking service providers, such as celebrants, florists, entertainers, and transport
- Confirming bookings and arrangements
- Preparing a run-sheet, or schedule, for the wedding day
- Liaising with venues and vendors
- Arranging the likes of invitations, place cards, table settings, signage and a website
On the day -
- Managing deliveries, vendors, event stylists and staff
- Assisting the MC and directing guests
- Dealing with any last-minute adjustments and hiccups
- Lending a hand wherever it’s needed
- Having tissues at the ready!
Maple Weddings and Events | Image @jenniferoliphantphotographer
Is there a difference between a Wedding Planner and a Wedding Coordinator?
Officially yes, though the titles are often used interchangeably. Strictly a Wedding Planner oversees a wedding from conception to completion, while a Wedding Coordinator steps in to assist once bookings are already in place, to manage arrangements over a specified timeframe and help ensure efficiency and oversee the smooth running of the day.
What should couples look for in a Wedding Planner?
You’ll be working closely together to plan something you’ll remember forever, so it’s important to choose a Wedding Planner you feel comfortable with — someone who listens to you, understands what you want to achieve and is dedicated to using their talent to realise your vision.
Reviews and ratings, left by those who’ve tied-the-knot recently, are a great place to begin. You’ll find thousands of reviews, on all things weddings, in the ABIA Directory. And, for those getting married in the Sunshine State we’ve made it even easier — here are Queensland’s Top 7 Wedding Planners, as announced at the wedding industry’s ABIA Awards last year.
#1 - Lovebird Weddings
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Image Ash + Stone
A considered combination of artists, stylists and planners are behind the luxurious weddings delivered to the Sunshine Coast by acclaimed wedding planning and styling agency Lovebird Weddings.
Working in collaboration with a select array of fine-dining restaurants, award-winning wedding venues, and exclusive private estates, the Lovebird Weddings’ team pride themselves on offering the ultimate in personalised service.
Image Ash + Stone
“Relaxed elegance,” is how they describe their styling — a careful blend of modern designs, quality furniture, luxe layered fabrics and unique accessories.
And, as destination wedding specialists, catering to engaged couples throughout Australia and internationally, they understand that communication is key and offer a range of video conferencing, custom software and communication options to ensure their couples can be involved in every step of the wedding planning process.
Image XOX Weddings
#2 - Plan My Wedding Whitsundays
Whitsundays, Queensland
Image Summer Rain Photography
“A stylish wedding begins long before the guests arrive,” says Breanna Hinschen of Plan My Wedding Whitsundays. “It begins with masterful planning!”
To that end, her premium wedding planning service promises couples marrying in the Whitsundays region a unique blend of "local knowledge, passion for weddings and a touch of OCD", to help achieve their wedding dreams.
Image Summer Rain Photography
Having grown up in the Whitsundays, Breanna has a unique insight into the area and her aim is to take the overwhelm and stress out of wedding planning by helping as much, or as little, as needed, and by matching her engaged couples with the vendors most suited to the selected style and setting of their occasion.
Image @jbhiweddings
Read Plan My Wedding Whitsundays's Customer Reviews.#3 - Storybook & Co.
Brisbane, Queensland
Image Lauren Olivia
Whether for Wedding Planning, On The Day Coordination, or Event Styling and Concept Design, the small team of professional planners and stylists at Storybook & Co are intent on celebrating the individuality of each couple’s wedding chapter.
Creative Director, Kirsty Perrett, grew up in the event-planning industry and admits, “I learnt very quickly how events were run”.
Image Lauren Olivia
She draws on those childhood experiences, and her carefully-curated team of wedding stylists and planners, to create stunning, storybook-style occasions in Brisbane and beyond, offering a unique blend of professionalism, expert industry knowledge and attention to detail.
Image @_untamedcreative_
Read Storybook & Co.'s Customer Reviews.#4 - Maple Weddings and Events
Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland
Image @jenniferoliphantphotographer
“It’s your day, so we will work with you to customise your needs,” the team at Maple Weddings and Events promise engaged couples looking to marry in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
They do just that with an assortment of offerings that stretch from Full-Service Wedding Planning, through to On The Day Coordination, Styling and Hire Services — think everything from furniture to décor, wedding arbours and tableware.
Image @angelacannavophotography
Couples can opt for one of the wedding and event service’s many set-price packages or discuss their needs and budget with Maple’s highly-experienced planners to tailor an individual package.
Image @jenniferoliphantphotographer
#5 - Cloud Nine Weddings
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Image Images by Lou O'Brien
Since 1998, Cloud Nine Weddings have been casting their magic on weddings held throughout the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Caloundra and Maleny.
“We treat each wedding as if it was our own,” says owner Julie-Ann Brown, and she and her team offer couples their assistance through every step of the wedding planning process, with a range of services and packages that encompass everything from ‘Deluxe Full Planning’, through to wedding day management, event styling, invitation design and furniture, lighting and accessory hire.
Image Coastal Love Collective
Personal touches and attention to detail are key to Cloud Nine’s offering and their aim is to create wedding experiences that reflect their couples in every way.
Image Benny Jewell Photography
Read Cloud Nine Weddings's Customer Reviews.#6 - Stradbroke Island Events
Stradbroke Island, Queensland
Image Beck Rocchi Photography
Donna Shannon has lived on Stradbroke Island forever, so she knows its venues, its seasons, its prevailing winds and everything about this lovely location’s natural environment and variable conditions. As Director of Stradbroke Island Events she, and her team, share this knowledge, and her invaluable connections, with couples wishing to exchange their vows on this island paradise.
Image Elk and Fir Photography
Stradbroke Island Events offers a full event planning and styling service, specialising in beach weddings and marquee receptions with an assortment of customisable package options.
The company also provides an extensive collection of props, furniture and styling elements, to help cater to every taste and requirement.
Image Beck Rocchi Photography
Read Stradbroke Island Events's Customer Reviews.#7 - Glass House Country Weddings
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Image Kayla Temple Photography
With a portfolio of partner venues and properties that overlook, or are surrounded by, the iconic peaks of the Glass House Mountains, Glass House Country Weddings is the planner of choice for many couples celebrating their union in this picturesque location.
Led by highly-experienced destination wedding planner, Alicia Evans, the team specialises in creating one-of-a-kind, boutique wedding experiences that embrace the romance of this idyllic region.
Image Kayla Temple Photography
Offering a selection of carefully-curated packages — each designed to include a collection of thoughtfully-matched vendors as well as a dedicated planner and on-the-day coordinator — the team at Glass House Country Weddings aims to take the stress out of wedding planning while helping couples retain full creative direction of their day.
Image @karahlee.photo
Read Glass House Country Weddings's Customer Reviews.For more Wedding Planners and Wedding Coordinators in Queensland, and other states across Australia, visit the ABIA Directory, where you'll find reviews and ratings left by newly-married couples who've already used the services. Plus you'll discover a wealth of other wedding information and inspiration too!
