I am a Wedding Photographer based in Melbourne & Byron Bay. So you’re engaged, congratulations! Now comes the exciting (and sometimes daunting task of planning your wedding!) Don’t worry, it’s normal to be stumped on where to start. This is also why I am creating a Wedding Planning Course for couples getting married. To get on the waitlist click the button below. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, today, we’re tackling two of the most important aspects: photography and planning!

Interested to learn more about me and what I offer?
You can find me on: www.blossomdaisycreative.com

Photography: Blossom Daisy Creative, Cassandra Catic
Ying & Michaels Wedding, featured in Vogue Australia

Wedding Planning FAQs:

• Where should we start? My first and best tip is to sit down together, chat about your dream wedding (beachside ceremony? Rooftop reception?), and create a loose budget. Then, prioritise! You can start with your non-negotiable vendors and ideas, and eliminate from there. Your first point of planning is to find the location you are after. This way, once the date and location is booked in you can then book in your vendors and start the planning process!
• What are some hidden costs? Don’t forget sneaky extras like ceremony permits (royal botanic gardens requires this), extra time at your reception or venue fees (some venues give you the option to extend your time), or car hire late fees (most car hire companies have this). Of course these are just some small ideas on what I have seen as extra costs at weddings.
• How do we find the best vendors? Melbourne is abundant of talented vendors, so you will probably struggle in the opposite way. Some ideas: ask friends who recently got married for recommendations, check out instagram (don’t forget that “online directories” or the “best of lists” charge vendors to be on these!), connect with suppliers via a free discovery call to see if you click. When you find someone you love, trust your gut & book them in.
• What about bad weather? Don’t stress! Many Melbourne venues have beautiful indoor spaces for photos, or your photographer can work their magic with umbrellas (think cute, not gloomy!). Rainy days often mean lots more snuggling and I suggest to stick to 2-3 spots for your photos. Often the best moments happen after you have gotten comfortable in front of the camera, and I have found over the years that we literally get to a ‘good’ part in the session and couples feel they want to move to ‘the next spot’. This actually will deter your photos from feeling and being authentic. We simply need nice lighting – trust your photographer to know best.
• Most importantly, how do we enjoy the process? It’s your day! Delegate tasks, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and schedule some fun “just us” time in between planning. I love holding space for me couples after the ceremony, a few have adored taking some “down time” after the ceremony for 10 minutes which I really loved. You can also opt to working with on the day wedding planners: they are a godsend for couples and can hop in to assist with your wedding planning from the 4 week mark. Check out my list for some recommendations.

Wedding Photography FAQs:

• How long should we book a photographer for? This depends on your day & plans you have. My packages start from 6 hours for weddings with more than 12 guests. I have an Elopement package for 2 hours if you have 12 or less guests. I would say most weddings will be for 8 hours of coverage, which is known as full day coverage. This time should cover both of your getting ready, your ceremony or first look, portraits and the key moments of the reception/party/dinner!
• Do you charge travel fees? Many photographers have a base fee and might add travel costs depending on your venue’s location. I personally charge $350 for rural locations in country Victoria. My packages cover travel to the Mornington peninsula, Yarra Valley, the city, and anything in between. I also cover weddings in Byron Bay with no travel charge as I have a team up there.
• Should we get a second photographer? A second photographer is like your wedding day wingman – capturing different angles and ensuring no special moments are missed, especially for larger weddings. It’s a must for couples who are planning on having 150+ guests, in my opinion, you will benefit a lot from having a second photographer. If you have a smaller wedding, and the location is all the same, I would say your main photographer would be perfect.
• How many photos will we get? This varies with each photographer and creative. I often photograph and deliver 80-100 images per hour. If I am with you for 6 hours, you should expect approx 480+ images in your final gallery.
• Can we meet the photographer before booking? Absolutely! I would say it’s a red flag if your photographer says no to meeting you (unless they are interstate/overseas). Nowadays post covid, most photographers will do virtual meetings for connivence and ease. I personally take each of my couples out to dinner to chat and get to know them as a couple. This build rapport with my couples, bridging the gap between client and photographer and enabling me to enter the day itself more as a friend, with no awkwardness and more fun!

So there you have it, lovebirds! With a little planning and these FAQs in mind, you’re well on your way to a picture-perfect Melbourne wedding. Now get out there and start planning your happily ever after! You can read more of my FAQs here.

I hope you liked my blog post, feel free to visit my website to get to know me more: blossomdaisycreative.com
Love Cass x