Q. Where are the Whitsundays?
A. The Whitsunday region, situated in North Queensland, is only a ninety minute flight north of Brisbane and located centrally on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. The region encompasses the Whitsunday and Bowen Shires including Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Bowen, Shute Harbour and of course the 74 tropical islands the Whitsundays are famous for.
Q. Which airports & airlines service the Whitsundays?
A. The Whitsunday region boasts two airports:
- Hamilton Island which is serviced by Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Qantas (transfers to the mainland operate regularly)
- Whitsunday Coast (also known as Proserpine) which is serviced by Virgin Blue & Jetstar
Q. What is the weather like?
A. Situated on the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro and Tahiti, the Whitsundays enjoys a tropical climate with daily temperatures varying little from month to month. The days are warm year round and evenings are sultry in summer but cooler in the winter, requiring only a light jacket or sweater.
Q. I want to get married in the Whitsundays – What should I do first?
A. The first things to do are:
- Select your date
- Book your celebrant
- Marriage Notice
File your notice of Intended Marriage – this is required to be submitted to your celebrant at least one month and one day prior to your wedding date. Do not leave it until the last minute as it is a legal document and requires signatories by a JP (etc.)
Q. How much notice should I give my guests?
A. Send a save the date, giving your guests as much notice as possible so that they can organise time off from work and their holiday budget.
Q. How do we organise everything when we live interstate / overseas?
A. That’s the beauty of WeddingsWhitsundays.Com – everything you need is right at your fingertips to cover all aspects of your wedding day and honeymoon. You can easily refer to the various categories for all aspects of your day. Better yet, invest in a wedding coordinator as they will be able to organise your whole wedding based upon your needs, wants, and visions for your special day.
Q. When should I book my requirements?
A. Make sure to book your wedding essentials early to ensure that everything you need and want is available on your chosen date. Please note that the winter months are the peak wedding season in the Whitsundays, therefore it is recommended that you finalise your arrangements early to avoid disappointment.
Q. Do I need to pay a deposit?
A. Each supplier will have their own payments terms and conditions. Some suppliers may operate on a first in, first served basis so you will need to ensure you pay your deposit so your preferred requirements are locked in.
Q. Where can we get married?
A. There are so many fantastic locations in the Whitsundays your choices are endless. For a traditional wedding there are local churches on the Whitsunday Coast and chapels on some of the islands. Many resorts and reception venues also have an area that is suitable for a ceremony. One of the most popular wedding ceremony locations is on the beach and in the Whitsundays you are spoilt for choice. You may even chose to combine your ceremony and reception on board a boat.
Q. Can I be married on a public beach or park?
A. Yes, a permit is strongly recommended. For mainland parks and reserves please contact the Whitsunday Shire Council on 07-4945-0208.
For National Park Islands please contact the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service on 07-4946-7022. Privately owned Islands (usually those with a Resort) will have their own procedures and will need to be contacted directly.
Q. What services are available?
A. Just about every service that you would require for your wedding is available locally. There should be no need to bring any services with you and incur the additional costs associated with the travel and accommodation for suppliers from interstate.
Q. What can my guests do while in the Whitsundays?
A. There are a multitude of activities available to visitors to the Whitsundays that are both land and sea based. Why not supply your guests with information about the area when you send out invitations so that they may plan tours and activities ahead of their arrival.
Q. When should I arrive in the Whitsundays for my wedding day?
A. Ideally you should arrive at least a few days prior to your wedding day. This allows you time to meet with each of your suppliers and finalise all of your details. You can also arrange your pre-wedding day pampering such as manicures and massages. Most importantly allow yourself time to un-wind before the big day so that you are nice and relaxed.
Q. What should I pack?
A. Come as casual as you like, you will probably spend most of your time in your swimsuit soaking up the sun, swimming and snorkelling. If you’re planning a night out, smart casual dress is acceptable. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, sandshoes (they’ll probably get wet), and perhaps jeans and a jacket for cooler evenings. Remember if you’re planning to sail – suitcases are difficult to stow. Bring soft luggage wherever possible.
Q. What about our guests being there for our honeymoon?
A. You may enjoy spending time on your honeymoon with family and friends, sharing the experience of the Whitsundays together as a group.
For couples who want to spend time on their own, perhaps a lovely brunch with your guests the morning after your wedding where you can share details of the previous day and thank them for making the journey before escaping for your romantic honeymoon.
Q. What time of the day is best to get married in tropical North Queensland?
A. Anytime is beautiful in the tropics, be mindful that it does warm up in the middle of the day in summer. Most weddings take place in the late afternoon, you may like to check the best time with your photographer.
Q. How do I know that my suppliers know what I want?
A. Use your consultation time with your suppliers to explain to them exactly what you want for your wedding. Wherever possible it is highly recommended that you send pictures collected from bridal magazines or point out images you like from the suppliers web site & their information. If you are coming to the Whitsundays prior to your wedding meet with as many suppliers and service providers as you can.
Q. Do I need a hair and make up trial?
A. The hair and make up stylists in the Whitsundays are very experienced at what they do and style for weddings on a regular basis, therefore a trial is not absolutely essential. However it certainly puts you at ease on your special day knowing exactly what the outcome will be and having built that rapport with your stylists.
Q. How will I get my gifts home?
A. If you find that some guests have brought their gifts with them rather than had them delivered to your home there are two ways to arrange for your gifts to be transported home. Firstly you could bring extra luggage and pack your gifts in between your clothing to protect them or organise them to be boxed and shipped home. Increasingly wishing wells are a popular choice to minimise your luggage after the wedding.
For more Frequently Asked Questions about the Whitsundays in general CLICK HERE
