10 Critical Wedding Planning Mistakes in Tasmania (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Not Booking Early or Overlooking Local Events

Tasmania has fewer wedding venues and vendors than the mainland, and the best ones book out fast. Additionally, major events can make securing accommodation for guests more difficult.

• Popular venues book out 12–18 months in advance, especially for peak season (September–April).

• Dark Mofo (June), Agfest (May), and major conferences often fill Hobart hotels, leaving guests without affordable options.

• Certain long weekends in Tasmania – March and November get booked very quickly

• Booking room blocks too late leads to higher costs or limited availability.

Don’t miss out on your Tasmanian Wedding Suppliers

• Secure your venue, photographer, planner and accommodation as early as possible.

• Research local events happening around your wedding date.

• Reserve room blocks ASAP to ensure your guests have accommodation options.

2. Skipping a Weather Backup Plan

Tasmania’s weather can change dramatically within hours – even in summer.

• No backup for outdoor weddings – wind, rain, or cold can ruin the experience.

• No heating, shade, or shelter for guests.

• Forgetting that sunset can be as early as 4:30 PM in winter or as late a 9pm in Summer, affecting photography.

Implement a Weather Plan

• Always have a Plan B venue or marquee option for outdoor weddings.

• Check sunset times for your wedding date and plan your schedule accordingly.

• Provide blankets, umbrellas, or heaters for guest comfort.

3. Underestimating Tasmania’s Logistics

Tasmania isn’t like the mainland – distances between vendors can be long, shopping hours are limited, and supplies are harder to get last-minute.

• Shops close early – not many 24/7, Sunday shopping or late-night stores.

• No Aldi, only one Big W in the entire state, and very limited flower markets.

• One-way streets in Hobart and Launceston and long driving distances make pickups time-consuming.

Steps to sidestep this issue

• Order everything well in advance – assume you won’t find things last-minute.

• Consider hiring a planner to handle logistics.

• Have a dedicated friend or vendor responsible for sourcing last-minute needs.

4. Taking on Too Much DIY

DIY weddings seem like a fun way to save money, but Tasmania’s logistics can make them far more stressful.

• Underestimating how long DIY setups take.

• Bridal party stuck doing setup on the wedding day instead of enjoying the moment.

• No time for last-minute DIY tasks, leading to stress and exhaustion.

Smart ways to handle this

• Finish all DIY projects at least a week before the wedding.

• Delegate tasks to non-bridal party members or hire a day-of coordinator.

• Simplify where possible – sometimes, hiring a pro saves more time and stress.

5. Forgetting About Guest Transport & Travel Time

Tasmania’s spread-out venues, tricky roads, and limited public transport can cause major issues for wedding guests.

• Venues too far apart with no transport provided.

• Not accounting for Friday traffic in cities like Hobart and Launceston.

• Limited Taxi/Uber availability in remote areas, leaving guests stranded.

Proactive steps to take

• Provide shuttle buses or transport options for remote venues.

• Include travel times and directions on your wedding website.

• Ensure there’s parking available for self-driving guests.

6. Not Booking Vendors Early Enough

Tasmania has fewer wedding vendors than bigger cities, meaning high-quality professionals book out fast.

• Your preferred photographer, caterer, or florist is unavailable.

• Assuming you can book wedding vendors last-minute, only to find limited options.

• Mainland vendors not being able to travel due to logistics or costs.

What you can do instead

• Lock in your must-have vendors as early as possible.

• If hiring mainland vendors, confirm travel logistics and costs.

• Ask vendors for backup recommendations in case of cancellations.

7. Leaving Key Details Until the Last Minute

• DIY tasks unfinished the night before the wedding, causing stress.

• Seating charts, menus, or decor still being finalised on the wedding day.

• The couple stressing over small details instead of enjoying their wedding.

Simple solutions for this problem

• Finalise all wedding details at least a week in advance.

• If DIYing, assign setup to trusted family or friends NOT in the bridal party.

• Let go of perfection – small hiccups won’t ruin the day.

8. Overlooking the Small But Important Details

Even well-planned weddings can have avoidable guest experience hiccups.

• No food during cocktail hour – leaving guests hungry.
• No snacks or drinks for the bridal party during photos.
• Missing the chance for a sunset photo due to timing issues.
• Asking too much of friends & family, like making platters or setting up decor – everything takes longer than you think it will to set up or do.

How to avoid this 

• Have snacks available for guests and the bridal party.
• Plan a dedicated sunset photo session with your photographer.
• Let family enjoy the day instead of taking on too much responsibility.

9. Forgetting About Guest Comfort & Experience

While it’s your big day, guests need to feel comfortable and entertained too.

Common guest experience mistakes:

• Not enough seating during cocktail hour.

• Long gaps between ceremony and reception with nothing to do.

• No weather plan – guests sweating in the sun or shivering in the cold evening breeze.

What you can do instead

• Ensure plenty of seating, shade, and refreshments.
• Keep delays between ceremony and reception short or offer entertainment.
• Inform guests about dress codes, transport, and weather contingencies.

10. Forgetting to Enjoy the Day!

• Getting too caught up in small details instead of having fun.
• Letting tiny things going wrong ruin the mood.
• Not taking a moment to step back and soak it all in.

How to enjoy your Tasmanian wedding

• Accept that not everything will go exactly to plan – but that’s okay!
• Focus on the people, the love, and the celebration.
• Take a quiet moment just for you and your partner during the day.