Event Planning

Your baby’s Christening invitations set the tone for the day and are the first glimpse your guests will have of the celebration. There are plenty of options available, from classic designs to more modern, personalised Christening invitations featuring your baby’s photo. Choosing an invite that reflects your theme or personal style adds a thoughtful touch and makes a lovely keepsake for family and friends.

When selecting your invitations, consider:

• Theme & Style – Do you want something traditional, elegant, or playful?
• Personalisation – Adding your baby’s name and photo makes the invite even more special.
• Wording & Details – Ensure you include the date, time, venue, and RSVP information.

Once your invitations are sent, there are still plenty of details to take care of. Some key elements to keep in mind include:

Whether you opt for a traditional Christening gown or a modern outfit, choosing something comfortable for your baby is essential. Consider the time of year and whether layers will be needed for warmth.

A Christening celebration often involves a gathering after the ceremony, where guests can enjoy food and drinks. Many families choose a Christening cake as a centrepiece, similar to a wedding cake, with personalised decorations.

Since a Christening is such a significant event, many parents like to preserve the memories with keepsakes such as:

• Guest books for attendees to leave messages.
• Photo albums to store pictures from the day.
• Personalised Christening gifts, such as engraved jewellery or a special book for your child.

A Christening photo album also makes a great gift suggestion for guests who ask what they should bring—it’s a beautiful way to capture and cherish the special moments of the day.

With so many details to consider, planning a Christening can feel like a big task, but starting with the invitations and working through each element step by step will make the process much easier. Whether you opt for personalised Christening invitations or a classic design, ensuring your guests receive all the key details in advance will help set the stage for a beautiful and memorable day.

To reach out to these long-lost friends and family members, save the date cards and magnets offer a thoughtful and less invasive way to announce your wedding. Rather than cold-calling them or putting them on the spot, sending a save the date provides them with the opportunity to check their schedules and decide if they can attend your special day. This gives them time to prepare and ensures they aren’t rushed into making a decision.

When creating your save the date cards or magnets, be sure to include all essential details, such as the date, time, and location, along with any other relevant information like a theme or dress code. The design itself should reflect the personality of your wedding — whether it’s elegant, rustic, or fun and playful. Including a personal touch, such as a memory or a small, relevant photo, will make your save the date cards even more memorable.

While reconnecting with old friends and family can sometimes feel like a long shot, it’s worth the effort. For example, if you’re trying to reach that backpacking friend from your year-long adventure across Australia, who you’ve only got a last-known address in Borneo, sending a thoughtful save the date can reignite the connection. Even if it takes some digging to find their current contact information, the joy of receiving an RSVP with a heartfelt ‘Yes please!’ makes it all worthwhile.

Save the date cards should be sent out well in advance, ideally 6-8 months before your wedding day, to give recipients ample time to plan their attendance. Whether they need to book travel arrangements, arrange childcare, or take time off work, allowing them enough lead time ensures they can attend without stress.

Guests have time to organise their schedules, making it easier for them to confirm their attendance.

The first thing to consider when creating your guest list is to decide on the approximate number of people you wish to invite. This number will depend largely on the size and type of venue you’ve chosen. For example, you won’t be able to fill a grand stately home with just the two of you and a couple of witnesses, nor would a tiny chapel comfortably accommodate 300 guests. Matching your guest list to the venue size is key because it will guide the overall logistics — like table sizes, seating arrangements, and even the room layout.

Once you’ve determined your ideal guest count, you’ll want to visualise how the space will be laid out. Tables spaced too far apart can make guests feel distant and isolated, while tables too close together might make the room feel cramped and uncomfortable. Pay close attention to the room’s dimensions, table configurations, and seating arrangements. A well-thought-out layout ensures that your guests are comfortable and can mingle easily.

After finalising your guest list, you can move on to creating your wedding invitations. Keep in mind that you only need to send one invitation per couple or family, so having 200 guests doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need to send out 200 individual invites. When mailing your wedding invitations, it’s important to allow plenty of time for guests to receive them and respond. Giving guests at least 6-8 weeks to RSVP helps ensure they can coordinate travel and other commitments.

While it’s essential to allow plenty of time for responses, it’s also a good idea to have a list of backup guests in case some of your initial invites aren’t able to attend. Be discreet about this, as it’s often helpful to keep reserve names private to avoid any potential awkwardness. Having a solid backup list ensures that your plans remain flexible and you’re not left scrambling at the last minute to fill seats.

Wedding plans can sometimes change, so it’s always good to have some flexibility built into your guest list and seating arrangements.