74 Tips for your dream Whitsundays wedding

1. Escape the cold with a June-August Whitsundays winter wedding. Clear skies and average temp is 24°.
2. A Whitsundays wedding is the perfect excuse to only invite your nearest and dearest.
3. On your first day as man and wife take a romantic scenic flight over heart reef.
4. Consider foot jewellery instead of shoes for your beach wedding.
5. Tropical bombonierre? Personalised beer coolers for the boys and pretty fans for the girls.
6. Seat older guests closer to the dance floor, they can relax while still being part of the action.
7. Honeymoon funds and wishing wells are a great way to avoid lugging 12 toasters home!
8. For the best weather hold your Whitsundays wedding in April to December.
9. Visit the spa and have your spray tan at least 48 hours before the big day.
10. When booking your accommodation, the longer you stay- the less you pay!
11. Select light fabrics for the bridal party: cotton, linen, chiffon and silk work best.
12. Have a Whitsundays midweek wedding and enjoy cheaper airfares and wedding packages.
13. Incorporate exotic styling into your theme to create an unforgettable tropical experience.
14. As soon as you leave for your location photos, kick off the reception with light canapés and sparkling. Your guests will feel well cared for while they appreciate stunning Whitsundays views.
15. Provide your guests with parasols, they’re sunsmart and gorgeous.
16. Have a “weddingmoon” – a wedding on the mainland followed by honeymoon on the islands.
17. How about an artistic “trash the dress” post wedding photo shoot on Whitehaven Beach?
18. Grooms, host your future father-in-law to a day of golf at Laguna, Hamilton, Bowen or Proserpine. Or perhaps a day of deep sea fishing off the reef!
19. Release Ulysses butterflies at your ceremony, the perfect tropical touch.
20. Arrive to your wedding in style via seaplane, helicopter, vintage car, boat or horseback.
21. Take your vows underwater as you float over the Great Barrier Reef.
22. Get to know your friendly Whitsunday wedding suppliers on Facebook.
23. Host a prewedding sunset cruise and avoid new introductions between family and friends on the big day.
24. Add a wow factor with Polynesian dancers or fire breathing bar tenders!
25. Send your guests Whitsundays accommodation recommendations (to suit all budgets.)
26. Hotel not your thing? Rent a holiday house instead.
27. Have a recovery BBQ the following day at Airlie Beach lagoon.
28. Hens enjoy a spa treatment while bucks go on a fishing charter. As the sun sets meet up at party central- Airlie Beach!
29. Personalised wedding websites are all the rage- with lots of information for travelling guests.
30. Whitsundays venues have fabulous wedding planners, accustomed to helping brides from all over the world. Delegate to your heart’s content!
31. Feature the region’s world renowned local seafood in your reception menu.
32. On balmy summer nights try an ice-cream wedding cake.
33. Calm pre wedding jitters with a cool dip at Cedar Creek Falls.
34. The ultimate wedding gift for the love of your life? A surprise fireworks display!
35. Sand ceremonies are a gorgeous tropical wedding tradition.
36. Need a thank you gift for your groomsmen? Take a jetski tour around the islands.
37. Remember a “Thank You!” sign during photography and capture the perfect image for your post wedding cards.
38. How about a “clothing optional” ceremony on a deserted island?
39. When budgeting your Whitsundays wedding, expect that at least 80% of your guests will attend.
40. Charter a yacht for the ultimate private wedding.
41. Is everyone staying in one location? Ask for a discount!
42. Send save the date cards early, to allow your guests maximum time to plan for their holiday.
43. Keeps guest’s email details handy, so you can notify them of Virgin Blue and Jetstar sale fares and accommodation deals as they pop up.
44. Avoid expensive flights, customs nightmares and different marriage laws with a domestic wedding.
45. Make sure your outdoor venue has a good wet weather option.
46. Broadcast your wedding in paradise via webcam for those that can’t make it.
47. Whitsundays beaches enjoy beautiful breezes, so long veils can become a distraction.
48. Consider a dove release for your ceremony. Gliding over a turquoise backdrop, they make for a Kodak moment!
49. Want a traditional Whitsundays wedding? These days Priests, Rabbis and Ministers are happy to perform ceremonies outside the Church.
50. The best Whitsundays experiences are free: walking along a moonlit beach or swaying in a hammock in the shade of a palm.
51. Supply the hotels with gift baskets (thongs, sarong and exotic fruit from the Airlie Beach markets) to be placed in rooms and welcome your guests on arrival.
52. Whitsundays weddings cakes are world class. Stretch your budget further by serving a slice instead of dessert.
53. Chapel, beach, pavilion, garden or boat there are many fabulous Whitsundays ceremony locations.
54. Disposable cameras on each table allow your guests to record their Whitsundays experience.
55. Ingratiate your mother-in-law by treating her to a massage by the pool.
56. Photos are beautiful but video brings back the music, speeches and laughter of the day. Look into video packages, they’re well worth it!
57. Select lush tropical blooms like orchids and lilies which will last well in a warm climate.
58. Arrange shuttle buses to pick up your guests and keep the wedding location a surprise.
59. Don’t watch the ipod all night. The Whitsundays boasts great DJs, bands and string quartets.
60. Save time, money and stress with an all inclusive wedding package- Whitsundays venues specialise in them!
61. Arrive early so you can really relax before the big day.
62. Choose a dress which suits the setting- hourglass silhouettes and flowing fabrics work best.
63. Ask the flight attendant to hang your attire bag in the onflight staff locker. It’s your wedding so they will indulge you!
64. Ask your venue for scenic photos of the location to incorporate into your invitations.
65. How often do you holiday with all your favourite people? Make the most of this amazing experience with trips to the reef or cocktails on the beach.
66. Have your dressed steamed after arriving and lose any travel creases.
67. Sweeping up dos, with pinned fresh flowers, are a great (and durable) look.
68. How about using Whitsundays postcards as save the date cards?
69. Serve your favourite tropical cocktail at the reception.
70. Make the most of your bridesmaid’s posies by placing them in vases for the reception.
71. Feel fresh all day by lightly powdering your body with baby powder before slipping on your dress.
72. The Whitsundays is one of the most photographed locations in the world, so make sure you allow enough time to capture your wedding images.
73. Keep an eye out for local competitions online, many are open to Whitsundays and Airlie Beach brides only so you could pick up some amazing prizes.
74. RELAX! You are about to have a dream wedding in paradise, so cherish every moment!

Tips courtesy of our friends at Weddings Whitsundays.