Ideas and practical advice
Event planning guides
Find useful checklists, examples and questions for your wedding, party or business event. Choose a subject to explore.
Planning and venues17 guides
Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue Before BookingCompare wedding venues with a practical checklist covering capacity, inclusions, accessibility, costs, suppliers and wet-weather alternatives.Wedding Day Timeline: A Practical TemplateBuild a wedding-day run sheet with an example schedule, supplier handovers, buffer time and a clear plan for guests.Outdoor Wedding Weather Backup PlanPrepare a practical outdoor wedding backup for rain, heat and wind, including decision deadlines, guest communication and supplier access.Wedding Planning Checklist: 12, 6 or 3 MonthsA practical Australian wedding planning checklist, with priorities for longer engagements and shorter timelines.How to Create an Event Run Sheet and Supplier HandoverCreate a clear event run sheet covering contacts, supplier arrival, service times, decisions and pack-down.How to Compare Wedding Venue Types and Inspect a SpaceCompare restaurants, hotels, function centres, halls and gardens using the same practical venue inspection checklist.Outdoor Event Hire: Marquees, Site Access and PermissionsPlan an outdoor event with a checklist for permissions, marquee hire, ground conditions, services and weather decisions.How to Plan an Event Before You Know the Guest CountPlan a venue, budget and invitations when your event guest count is still uncertain, with a practical range and decision checklist.How to Choose an Event Date in AustraliaChoose an event date by checking essential guests, venue availability, supplier timing, travel, weather and the budget.Wedding Final Month and Wedding Week ChecklistPrepare for the final month and week before a wedding with a clear checklist for RSVPs, suppliers, payments, seating and the event day.Wedding Day Coordinator, Venue and Family: Who Does What?Understand how a wedding coordinator, venue team, suppliers and family can divide event-day responsibilities.Wedding Venue Inspection Checklist: What to Measure and AskVisit a wedding venue with a practical checklist for capacity, access, rooms, facilities, supplier timing and your final quote.Wedding Venue Packages: Inclusions, Capacity and Minimum SpendCompare wedding venue packages by checking room capacity, minimum spend, inclusions, extras and payment terms.Restaurant Wedding Reception: A Practical Planning ChecklistPlan a restaurant wedding reception by checking privacy, seating, menu, accessibility, timing and outside supplier conditions.Hotel or Function Centre Wedding: How to CompareCompare hotel and function centre wedding venues on rooms, accommodation, packages, suppliers and event-day logistics.Community Hall Event Hire ChecklistPlan an event in a community hall by checking booking conditions, capacity, food, equipment, access, permissions and cleaning.Choosing a Wedding Season in Australia: Venue and Guest QuestionsCompare possible Australian wedding dates using local weather, venue backup plans, travel, supplier availability and guest comfort.
Invitations and guests14 guides
Wedding Invitation Wording Examples and ChecklistWrite a clear wedding invitation with editable wording examples, RSVP details, separate event information and multilingual considerations.Wedding Invitation Wording for Tricky SituationsFind considerate wording examples for save-the-dates, adults-only celebrations, family hosts, gifts and a change of plans.Wedding Guest List and Plus-Ones: A Practical GuideBuild a wedding guest list, agree family contributions and set a clear plus-one approach before invitations are sent.Guest Arrival, Check-In and Last-Minute Event ChangesPrepare a guest arrival plan, manage changes to headcounts and communicate clearly with the venue and caterer.Event Guest Lists and Privacy: A Practical ChecklistKeep guest contact lists, dietary notes and event-day details organised with a practical privacy-conscious sharing checklist.Digital or Printed Wedding Invitations: How to ChooseCompare digital and printed wedding invitations on delivery, accessibility, replies, changes and the needs of your guests.Save-the-Date Wording Examples for a Wedding or EventWrite a save-the-date with clear wording examples, confirmed details and a practical plan for the formal invitation.Ceremony-Only and Reception-Only Invitation WordingWrite clear invitations for guests invited to a wedding ceremony, reception or both, with examples for different hosts.Adults-Only Wedding Invitation Wording: Kind ExamplesExplain an adults-only wedding or event with considerate invitation wording and clear responses to guest questions.Wedding and Event Dress Code Wording ExamplesDescribe an event dress code clearly and help guests understand venue conditions, comfort and practical considerations.Wedding Gift Preference Wording: Considerate ExamplesWrite a wedding gift preference or no-gifts message with clear examples that keep participation optional.Event Postponement or Venue Change: Message ExamplesTell guests and suppliers about a confirmed event postponement or location change with clear, practical message examples.Wedding Invitation Proofreading ChecklistCheck wedding invitation names, dates, addresses, languages, RSVP instructions and digital links before sending or printing.Wedding Plus-One Wording and Guest List GuidePlan plus-one invitations with clear wording, consistent guest-list decisions and an accurate RSVP.
Guest experience10 guides
Accessible Event Planning and Guest Comfort ChecklistPlan arrivals, accessible routes, quiet spaces, food handovers and guest comfort with practical questions for your venue.Wedding Seating: Family Groups, Changes and Room FlowArrange wedding seating for families, children and access needs, and manage changes after RSVPs or meal deadlines.Hot-Weather Event Checklist: Shade, Water and Guest ComfortPrepare for a hot outdoor wedding or event with a practical checklist for shade, water, accessibility and a weather backup.Planning a Quiet Space for an EventCreate an event quiet space by discussing access, sound, seating, signs, privacy and individual guest preferences.Wedding Top Table or Sweetheart Table: How to ChooseCompare a wedding top table and sweetheart table using room layout, family relationships, guest access and meal service.Multicultural Wedding Seating: Planning with Both FamiliesPlan wedding seating across families and languages with practical questions about relationships, access, food and guest comfort.Seating Children and Families at a WeddingPlan seating for children and carers with practical checks for invitations, supervision, food, highchairs and room access.Buffet Reception Layout: Tables, Queues and Guest FlowPlan a buffet reception layout that considers queues, guest access, table placement, service and individual food requirements.Wedding Table Numbers and Place Cards: A Practical GuideCoordinate wedding table numbers, place cards, seating charts and catering handovers using one current guest list.Event Photography Privacy: How to Brief Guests and SuppliersPlan event photo and video privacy with clear guest communication, supplier instructions, image sharing and special care for children.
Budget and suppliers19 guides
Building a Wedding Budget in AustraliaBuild an AUD wedding budget from your own quotes, guest numbers and priorities rather than an assumed average cost.Planning a Birthday Party BudgetPlan a party budget around the number of guests, venue, food and a manageable set of activities.Planning a Corporate Event BudgetUse supplier categories, attendee numbers and approval responsibilities to organise a business-event budget.How Guest Numbers Change Your BudgetDistinguish costs that change with attendance from fixed commitments when reviewing your event headcount.Recording Supplier Deposits and BalancesTrack the agreed supplier total, recorded payments and remaining balance without confusing a record with a payment transfer.Comparing Event Supplier QuotesCompare inclusions, service time and additional fees before choosing a quote by its headline amount.Reducing Event Costs Without Missing EssentialsReview event scope, quantities and package inclusions before cutting items that support guest comfort or venue operations.Allowing for Unexpected Event CostsKeep a visible reserve for uncertain event items and avoid treating it as permission to increase every supplier order.Reviewing Final Event ExpensesReconcile agreed costs, recorded payments and remaining balances before treating the event budget as finished.Spreadsheet or Online Budget PlannerCompare a spreadsheet and DEVENT’s event budget by how your team enters, reviews and shares planning information.Wedding Catering Checklist: Menus and Dietary RequirementsPlan wedding catering with a checklist for guest numbers, menu service, allergies, religious requirements, quotes and final handovers.Shared Event Budgets and Supplier Costs: How to Keep TrackPlan shared event contributions, compare supplier inclusions and track deposits, balances and potential duplicate charges.Wedding Reception Food: Service Styles, Cake and TimingCompare plated, buffet and cocktail food service and plan cake, dietary requirements, staffing and meal timing.What to Do If an Event Supplier CancelsRespond to a supplier cancellation by confirming the facts, checking the agreement and coordinating an appropriate replacement.Halal Wedding Catering: Questions to Ask Your CatererDiscuss halal wedding catering with guests and providers, including ingredients, sourcing, preparation, service and certification questions.Vegetarian and Vegan Event Catering: A Planning ChecklistPlan vegetarian and vegan event meals by asking guests and caterers about ingredients, preparation, service and individual allergies.Wedding Cake Checklist: Ordering, Delivery and ServingPlan wedding cake size, ingredients, delivery, storage, cutting and service with a practical supplier checklist.Alcohol-Free Wedding Drinks: Planning the Menu and ServicePlan an alcohol-free wedding drinks menu by confirming ingredients, venue service, timing, glassware and guest needs.Wedding Food Service Timeline: Drinks, Dinner and CakeBuild a wedding food timeline with the caterer, venue and MC, covering arrivals, meals, speeches, cake and late food.
Suppliers and styling15 guides
Wedding Photographer Checklist and Family Photo ListChoose a photographer, compare coverage and prepare a family photo list and a workable photo timeline.Wedding Guest Transport and Car Hire ChecklistPlan wedding cars, guest transfers, accessible travel and timing between ceremony and reception venues.How to Write an Event Styling, Flowers and Hire BriefPrepare a clear styling brief covering colours, flowers, furniture, venue rules, delivery and collection.Wedding Music and Entertainment: DJ, Band and MC ChecklistCompare DJs and live bands, brief an MC and plan sound, lighting and entertainment setup for your venue.Outside Wedding Suppliers: Questions to Ask Your VenueCheck whether a venue permits your chosen caterer, florist, stylist or entertainment and understand access and extra charges.Outdoor Event Decorations: Planning for Wind and RainPlan outdoor decorations and hired equipment with venue rules, supplier installation, wet-weather alternatives and safe collection.Wedding Videographer and Photographer: How to Plan BothCompare wedding video and photography coverage, coordinate teams and confirm sound, deliverables, privacy and timing.Wedding First Look: Planning the Photos and TimingDecide whether a wedding first look suits you and plan the location, privacy, guests and photographer timing.Wedding Photo Locations: Access, Permissions and WeatherChoose a wedding photo location by checking landowner permissions, travel, accessibility and a suitable weather alternative.How to Choose an Event Colour PaletteChoose an event colour palette by considering the venue, lighting, flowers, invitations, budget and supplier brief.Wedding Florist Checklist: Quotes, Flowers and SetupChoose a wedding florist and compare quotes for arrangements, substitutions, delivery, installation and collection.Wedding MC Checklist: Briefing, Names and Run SheetBrief a wedding MC on names, speeches, timing, announcements, language and coordination with the venue and caterer.Dance Floor Hire: Size, Venue Rules and CollectionPlan dance floor hire by checking the room layout, surface, supplier access, timing and complete quote.Event Photo Booth Hire: Space, Inclusions and PrivacyCompare event photo booth hire and discuss setup, prints, digital sharing, privacy, accessibility and collection.Wedding and Event Lighting: How to Brief a SupplierPlan event lighting for arrival, ceremony, dining and entertainment with questions about venue equipment, power and setup.
Cultural celebrations6 guides
Planning a Multicultural Wedding in AustraliaPlan a multicultural wedding with respectful family conversations, language, food, music, privacy and ceremony coordination.How to Plan a Bilingual Event Program and MCPrepare a clear bilingual event program with translated announcements, name pronunciation and time for interpretation.Planning a Lebanese Wedding in Australia: Questions for Families and SuppliersPlan a Lebanese wedding celebration around your family’s choices, venue rules, music, food, timing and guest comfort.Planning a Nikah and Reception in AustraliaPlan a nikah and reception with questions about the ceremony, legal marriage arrangements, guests, catering and schedule.Christian Wedding Ceremony and Reception: A Planning ChecklistCoordinate a Christian wedding ceremony and separate reception with questions for your church, celebrant, venues and guests.Event Prayer and Privacy Spaces: Questions to Ask a VenueDiscuss a private or prayer space at an event with practical questions about location, accessibility, timing and respectful communication.
Family celebrations11 guides
Engagement Party Planning Checklist and Invitation WordingPlan an engagement party with a shared guest list, budget, venue, timing and editable invitation wording.Birthday Party Planning for Children and MilestonesPlan a birthday party at home or a venue, including guest ages, invitations, food, supervision and a simple schedule.Baby Showers, Bridal Showers and Family CelebrationsPlan a baby shower, bridal shower, anniversary or christening gathering with clear hosts, invitations, food and a comfortable schedule.Planning a Family-Friendly Event with Babies and ChildrenPlan guest invitations, supervision, meals, seating and comfortable spaces for babies and children at a celebration.Birthday Party at Home or a Venue: How to ChooseCompare a birthday party at home with a hired venue using space, total costs, accessibility, catering and cleanup.Birthday Invitation Wording for Parents, Carers and SiblingsWrite a clear children’s birthday invitation with examples for parents, carers, siblings, supervision and RSVP details.Baby Shower Checklist and Invitation WordingPlan a baby shower with a practical timeline, comfortable activities, food questions and editable invitation wording.Gender Reveal Gathering: Privacy, Invitations and Venue RulesPlan an optional gender reveal gathering with thoughtful privacy, clear invitations, venue permission and low-risk activities.Bridal Shower Planning Checklist and Invitation IdeasPlan a bridal shower around the guest of honour’s wishes with budget, guest list, venue, optional activities and invitation ideas.Anniversary Party Ideas and Planning ChecklistPlan an anniversary celebration with practical ideas for guests, memories, food, accessibility and a comfortable schedule.Christening Celebration Checklist: Ceremony and ReceptionCoordinate a christening ceremony and family reception with practical questions about the church, guests, food and timing.
Corporate and community10 guides
Corporate Event and Conference Planning ChecklistPlan a corporate event or conference with venue, room layout, speakers, accessibility, audiovisual and catering handovers.Community Fundraiser or Graduation Event: Planning GuideOrganise a community fundraiser or graduation celebration with volunteers, venue questions, guest communication and a practical event-day plan.Conference Venue Selection: Rooms, AV and AccessibilityCompare conference venues by room layouts, technical support, accessibility, catering, travel and complete costs.Staff Awards Night Planning: Nominations, Seating and Run SheetPlan a staff awards night with a fair nomination process, clear guest communication, presentation logistics and a practical schedule.Business Event Registration: What to Tell Invited GuestsWrite clear event registration messages covering attendance, access, dietary requests, updates and privacy.Speaker Run Sheet and AV Handover ChecklistCoordinate speakers and audiovisual staff with a practical schedule for presentations, microphones, slides, access and backups.Workshop Room Layouts: Theatre, Classroom and CabaretCompare common workshop layouts by interaction, writing space, screen visibility, capacity and accessible movement.Event Volunteer Briefing and Contact ChecklistPrepare event volunteers with clear roles, arrival times, escalation contacts, guest privacy and a practical handover.Post-Event Review: Questions, Measures and Next StepsReview an event using goals, actual costs, attendee feedback and a practical action list for the next organiser.Corporate Dinner Seating: Teams, Guests and Dietary HandoverPlan corporate dinner seating with a confirmed guest list, accessible routes, guest relationships and a careful meal handover.
For event businesses8 guides
Creating a Useful Event Business ProfileHelp organisers evaluate your event business with specific services, accurate contact details and relevant images.Event Supplier Profiles and Quotes: A Practical GuideHelp event businesses write useful profiles, respond to enquiries and prepare clear, comparable service quotes.Venue and Supplier Handover: From Booking to Event DayCoordinate venue staff, external suppliers and organisers with a practical access, layout, headcount and collection checklist.Venue Photo Gallery: Image Permissions and Accurate CaptionsBuild a useful venue photo gallery with image permissions, privacy, accurate captions and current room information.How to Describe Event Venue Capacity by Room LayoutGive organisers useful venue capacity information by explaining layouts, furniture, equipment, access and current limits.Venue Accessibility Information: What to Tell Event OrganisersDescribe a venue’s access features accurately, including routes, toilets, parking and a contact for individual requirements.Event Supplier Enquiry Follow-Up: A Helpful Response ChecklistRespond to an event supplier enquiry with relevant questions, a clear next step, privacy-conscious handling and accurate quote details.Late Event Headcount Changes: A Venue Handover ChecklistHandle a late event headcount change by checking catering, layout, costs, deadlines and communication with the organiser.
Locations and travel1 guides
More planning guides20 guides
How Online RSVPs WorkUnderstand the journey from a household’s private invitation link to a saved attendance response.Managing Family RSVPsKeep one household invitation while recording which named family members will attend.Handling Partial Family AttendanceManage an RSVP where only some adults or children in an invited household can attend.Choosing an RSVP DeadlineChoose a reply deadline that leaves time to reconcile guests before supplier and seating commitments.RSVP Reminder WordingUse clear, considerate reminder messages that include the response deadline and the correct private link.RSVP Changes After the DeadlineUnderstand which late attendance changes apply immediately and which need the organiser to review.Collecting Meal Choices and Dietary NotesCollect useful food information from guests and communicate the relevant requirements to your caterer.Preparing a Guest List for DEVENTClean up an existing spreadsheet before entering households and named guests in DEVENT.Separating Bride and Groom Guest ListsReview bride and groom guest groups without creating duplicate people or losing household relationships.Event Guest Check-inPrepare guest arrivals with the event time zone, start time and organiser-controlled self-check-in settings.How to Create a Seating PlanTurn confirmed attendance into a measured room layout and a reviewable set of table assignments.Round vs Long Tables for EventsCompare table shape against room dimensions, conversation, household grouping and the venue’s actual seating capacity.Measuring a Venue for a Floor PlanGather the room, table and fixed-feature measurements needed for a useful event layout.Keeping Families Together in a Seating PlanPlace household members together where capacity allows and review any group that must be split.Seating Guests Apart ConsideratelyTranslate sensitive guest relationships into a practical arrangement without spreading private reasons.Accessible Event Seating ChecklistReview guest access, comfort and service routes with the venue before confirming an event seating arrangement.Dance Floor and DJ Layout PlanningBalance the dance floor, DJ equipment, guest tables and circulation with the venue and entertainment supplier.Planning Seating Across Multiple RoomsDivide guests across named room layouts while checking capacity, assignments and movement between spaces.Automatic vs Manual Seating PlansUse suggested seating as a starting point and manual review to account for relationships and venue constraints.Publishing and Printing a Seating PlanSeparate private layout edits, guest-visible seating publication and the printable event report.
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