You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm not an Australian resident, can I still be married on Hamilton Island?

In almost all cases the answer is yes.  Most foreign governments have agreements in place whereby your marriage in Australia will be recognised in your home country, however to be certain you should contact the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, or the equivalent, in your country of origin.  Visit the legal requirements section of our website for more information.

Visit the Queensland Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages

What do the wedding consultants actually do?

Prior to your wedding day
Our team of wedding consultants are trained to handle almost every aspect of your wedding.  They will be available in the lead up to your wedding to discuss and arrange any number of optional products and services for you.  They will liaise with the product and service providers to ensure your wedding is a complete success.  Having one point of contact on Hamilton Island, with regards to your wedding and reception plans, enables you to be relaxed in the knowledge that experts are on hand to answer any questions you may have and seek products and services you may require.

When you arrive on the island
Your consultant will meet with you upon your arrival to the island, and at this time they will have arranged for you to meet with thoseproduct and service providers involved with your wedding, i.e. photographer, video cameraman, celebrant etc to ensure all details are in place.  This will enable you to relax and enjoy your time on the island in the lead up to your wedding day, knowing everything is in order.

On the wedding day
Your consultant will be in contact with all service providers to ensure everything comes together without a hitch.  Your consultant will then attend your wedding ceremony to both control the ceremony music and ensure your expectations are fulfilled.  They will then accompany you on your photography and/or video tour (should these services be booked with HIW) to assist you in any way you require.

After the wedding day
Consultants will be on hand to arrange any additional products and services you may require in the days, weeks and months after your wedding day, and they will liaise with the photographer and video cameraman regarding delivery of your photos and video.

The non refundable administration fee covers the services of your consultant and serves to secure your wedding date and time on Hamilton Island.  This fee also covers costs associated with the consultant's communication and labour in organising your wedding.  Additional consultant’s fee will be charged for any additional duties you require from your consultant, which are not covered by HIW's initial fee.  This additional fee is rare and covers things such as assisting with the set up of your reception venue, delivery of presents to your guest's rooms etc.  These services may not always be performed by your actual consultant and may be outsourced by Hamilton Island Weddings.

Which consultant should I speak to?

Upon sending us your booking form and confirming your requested date and time, you will be allocated one of our consultants as your point of contact with Hamilton Island Weddings.  This consultant will be your point of contact until approximately 2 months prior to your wedding day. 

Due to scheduling, annual leave, staff changeovers etc, it is likely that your consultant will change during this planning stage of your wedding.  Please don’t let this be of concern to you, all our consultants are extensively trained, and a thorough handover process is undertaken in these cases to ensure your new consultant is up to speed with your requirements.

Approximately 2 months prior to your wedding, you will be allocated to the consultant who will be your contact up to and including your wedding day.

How should I contact the consultants?

By request of the majority of our brides and grooms, most of Hamilton Island Weddings communication is done by email. This provides the ability for you to ask questions and receive answers in your own time, when it is most convenient for you.  We endeavour to answer emails as promptly as possible, however it is sometimes necessary to allow more time for a reply to many queries, allowing for other outlets to get back to us with answers.  Some answers may take a week or even longer to respond to, however your consultant should keep you informed of the status of your query.

Visit the contact details page of our website

How do we organise our wedding from a distance?

Hamilton Island Weddings consultants and staff have extensive experience in organising these special occasions on your behalf.  By using our website as your comprehensive planning tool, you are able to get the feeling of actually being here.  This coupled with the use of email as your main point of contact with your consultant, makes organising your wedding from a distance a much simpler process.

Who will actually marry us?

Hamilton Island Weddings have sourced many different reigious officiators and civil celebrants in the local area, who can be arranged to officiate your wedding.  During the booking process you will be asked which civil celebrant or religious officiator you prefer, at this point your enquiries consultant will check on the availability of their services for your preffered date and time. 

Once booked, your chosen celebrant or officiator will be in direct contact with you to discuss your specific legal requirements and your choices in regards to ceremony content.

To view profiles and infromation regarding our available civil celebrants and officiators please visit the products and services section of our website.

What are my legal requirements?

All couples who plan to be married legally in Australia are required by law to submit a Notice of Intended Marriage Form to your wedding officiator/celebrant at least one month prior to your wedding date.  This may be obtained from your marriage officiator, a Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages office or on the legal requirements page in the "You Need to Know section of our website.

Other documents required are birth certificates, passports (if you are not an Australian citizen) and a divorce decree (if applicable).

Visit the Legal Requirements section of this website

Download the Notice of Intended Marriage Form

Can we have professional photography?

Hamilton Island Weddings believes that a professional wedding photos are an essential part of every wedding.  They capture the romance, the emotion and the setting of your special day, providing cherished memories for years to come.    Hamilton Island Weddings has a range of photography options to cater for every style and budget.

Our professional photographers have experience in shooting countless weddings.  They recognise that photography is a very important part of every wedding.  By meeting with every couple prior to the wedding day we ensure our photographers fully understand the style of photography you desire.

Our photographers use the latest digital equipment, by staying current with the latest technology our company ensures we provide you with the highest quality product available.

For examples of our photographers' current work please visit the photography section of our Web Site.

When will we receive our wedding photos?

Many wedding photographers will make couples wait for weeks, or even months, before they receive their photos.  Using the latest digital equipment and processing technology, we endeavour to supply couples with their wedding prints prior to leaving Hamilton Island.  If we are unabel to provide you with your photos prior to your departure, they will be mailed to you by registered post soon after.

Will our wedding photos be available for viewing online?

Yes, if you have provided us with your permission (you will be asked during the planning process) your wedding photos will be available for viewing and to purchase online by you, your family and friends.  The images will remain online for approximately 3 months 

Click here to view current wedding photos online

Do you supply a wedding photo reorder service?

Once you have received your photos, Hamilton Island Weddings will supply a reorder service which can be utilised by you or your family and friends.  The reprints range in size from 5x7 inch prints, to wall portraits exceeding 2 metres in height or width, perfect for decorating your lounge or bedroom walls. 

Can we purchase our negatives?

Hamilton Island Weddings stores all negatives and digital files and supplies a reorder service as explained above.  This practise is undertaken to protect the quality control of printing and reproduction of our images.  Our photography department will provide this reorder and storage service for a period of between 3 to 5 years, after which time these digital files and/or negatives will be available for purchase at a reasonable cost.

do you supply professional wedding albums?

Hamilton Island Weddings supply professional hand made, digital collage and standard page albums.  These albums are custom designed by our photography department.  The covers of these albums also range in colour and style from Brushed stainless steel to quality soft leather.  All albums feature our cute "bride and groom logo" whether engraved or embossed on the cover.  Ordering your preffered wedding album prior to your wedding day enables our photography department to schedule your album for production and may decrease the production time after your wedding day.

Can our wedding be professionally filmed & supplied on DVD?

A common feedback received from past clients is that they couldn't believe how much of their special day they actually missed, and that they only realised this once they received and watched their video.  Another great benefit of having your wedding professionally filmed is the ability to share the day with both friends and family that could not be present and with your future children and grandchildren.  Imagine how amazing it would be to watch a video of your grandparents wedding day and all the memories surrounding it.

Hamilton Island Weddings video production department is in house, therefore all creative control is handled by Video Production Manager Paul Holt.  Paul has been filming and editing weddings in the Whitsunday’s for more than 13 years, and has been featured in such magazines and television programs as "Multimedia Magazine" and "Aussie Hot Spots".  Before arriving in the Whitsunday's, Paul obtained a degree majoring in film and media production and went on to instruct at Griffith University in these disciplines. 

Upon your arrival to the island, a meeting will be arranged with a member of our video production department, and all aspects of the video will be discussed.  Or you may wish to arrange with your consultant to have a conference call with our video production department prior to your arrival, to discuss your video and options.

Editing is conducted using an Avid Edit Suite.  This is a digital non-linear video editor, which is used professionally by television stations and production houses worldwide.  All vision is captured with a digital video camera using a professional Miller Tripod and audio is captured using UHF radio lapel microphones.

When will we receive our wedding video/DVD?

Due to the professional nature of our wedding videos/DVD's and time consuming visual effects used throughout the editing process, your wedding video will take approximately 3 months to be edited and delivered to you; however no exact time frame will be provided.

How will my guests travel to the ceremony and reception?

Some clients choose to allow their guests to make their own way to their ceremony location; however it must be remembered that Hamilton Island is quite large and it is not always ideal for your guests to be walking to your ceremony location in their wedding attire.  For this reason many couples choose to arrange a bus to transport their guests.  Buses can be arranged for any number of passengers (however a minimum cost applies) and are able to collect your guests from most accommodation areas on the island.  Buses can also be arranged to collect your guests from the ceremony location and transport them to your reception and again from your reception to their accommodation.

What hair & beauty services do you offer?

Hamilton Island has a professional hair & beauty salon that has been pampering bridal parties for more than twelve years.  Their staff are all up-to-date on current trends, resources and products to ensure you look your best for this special occasion.  After booking your wedding with us you will be sent a hair and make up booking form to complete and return to your consultant.

What floral arrangements can we have?

The sky is the limit!  You have two choices when the time comes to arrange a quote for your floral requirements.  You can arrange a quote directly with the island florist, Floral Collections, or secondly, allow your consultant to arrange a quote from an alternate mainland supplier.

Your available options include high quality bouquets, buttonholes, corsages, headpieces, cake decorations, flower showers and reception decorations.   We can even arrange to give your honeymoon suite a romantic touch with rose petals, champagne, chocolates and candles. 

Floral Collections- Hamilton Island's on island florist and gift shop
Contact Floral Collections directly or visit their page on our website:
Phone: +61 (0) 7 4946 8437
Fax:  +61 (0) 7 4948 9044
Email:  floral.collections@bigpond.com 

Have your consultant arrange a quote from an alternate supplier
By e-mailing or posting your wedding consultants magazine clippings or photos of ideas for your bouquet etc, your exact floral requirements can be created!  Simply scan and email or cut out and post your ideas to your consultant, along with your special requests or requirements and they will arrange an individual quote for your approval.

Can you arrange our Wedding Cake?

No matter how simple or intricate you envisage your wedding cake to be, Hamilton Island Weddings can cater to your needs.  We have sourced professional cake makers with over twenty years experience in creating modern and traditional cakes.  Our professionals produce large or small cakes, from simple mud cakes to fruitcakes, and more.  Again, we encourage you to send us a picture of your cake ideas for your consultant to arrange a quote. 

If you need some inspiration we have over 65 pre-quoted cakes online for you to choose from.  Log onto the cake page of our website and choose a cake that suits your style and budget, then advise your consultant of your chosen cake... it couldn't be simpler!

View the cake section of this website

Can you arrange professional themeing and decorations for our ceremony & reception?

Yes, Hamilton Island Weddings has employed the services of "I do events Whitsundays" to provide event design & hire of the highest quality products.  In keeping with Hamilton Island Weddings ethos, ‘'DEW' service includes full set up of your venue as required, so on your special day you can relax and enjoy.

'IDEW' can decorate your venue with chair covers and wraps, available in an array of colours.  They can provide table & room decorations and also offer unique bonbonniere ideas for your guests to tie in with your chosen colour or theme.  Choose from one of their exquisitely designed themes for a stress-free planning process or have the 'IDEW' team design a theme individual to your style, budget & dreams, to ensure a magical & unforgettable experience.  Indoors or out, 'IDEW' will create a design to take your breath away.

View the ceremony set up page on this website

View the reception set up page on this website

What will our guests do between the ceremony & reception?

For that extra touch of style and to make your wedding day even more memorable for your guests, have your consultant arrange post ceremony celebratory drinks. 

This product is perfect for an entertaining option for your guests between your ceremony and reception while you are having your photo/video tour.  Your guests can be picked up from your ceremony by bus and transferred to their celebratory drinks location (usually One Tree Hill or the Catseye Beach, or even the Denison Star). 

With the Denison Star option your consultant can arrange for your guests to be taken on a cruise on this fabulous motor yacht, whilst onboard they will be served by wait staff from a fully stocked cocktail bar and provided with finger food if you so desire.  Drinks can be charged back to you or paid for on consumption by your guests, however minimum spends will always apply.

Can you arrange pre and post wedding day functions?

Your consultant can arrange any number of different functions on your behalf.  You may like to arrange a pre wedding dinner at one of Hamilton Island’s many fantastic restaurants.  Alternatively you can organise a post wedding recovery cruise on the Denison Star the morning after the big night.  Your options are endless! You can choose from the same portfolios available for your wedding reception, and your consultant can take care of all liaising with your chosen venue.  In addition, the cost does not have to be left up to you as we can arrange for the final bill on the night to be charged directly to your guests. (Please note that this will be the final bill divided equally between your guests, not individual bills.)

Will our wedding guests want to travel to Hamilton Island for our wedding?

Every couple wants to have their family and friends with them on this special day, and many fear that a ceremony away from home will make attending difficult.  However, our experience has shown that everyone wants to come to Hamilton Island, whether it is for a holiday, conference or a special occasion!  It is the most popular destination in the Whitsunday’s and the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience.  By distributing your invitations well in advance, your family and friends can easily make arrangements to book flights and accommodation and make the trip for your wedding their annual holiday.  You will be surprised at the response you will receive!

Where do we all stay?

Hamilton Island has a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets. We recommend you call Hamilton Island Holidays on 1300 725 172 to check accommodation availability for your group, before confirming your wedding booking with us.

Beach Club:
A 5 star 50-room beachfront hotel, every room in this two-storey boutique hotel faces directly onto the beach and has its own private balcony/deck and private restaurant for Beach Club guests use only.  Indulge in some of the finest service the Whitsunday's has to offer.
Max capacity: 2 people.

Reef View:
This 4 star hotel features extremely spacious well appointed rooms all with private balconies, which overlook either tropical gardens or have breathtaking views of the islands and the Coral Sea. The Reef View also has 2 a recently opened pool located directly in front of the building, Presidential Suites and a number of two-storey Reef Suites.
Max capacity: 4 people.

Palm Bungalows*:
These 3 star freestanding bungalows are the perfect option for those who
fancy a romantic and affordable island holiday, with the added seclusion
that a garden bungalow provides.
Max capacity: 3 people.

Whitsunday Holiday Apartments:
These 3.5 star hotel style apartments are located resort side. Complete
with their own check in area these 1 and 2 bedroom apartments are ideal for families or groups.
Max capacity: 5 people

Hamilton Island Villas*:
These self-catering villas are located on the north-western side of the
island and are available in Standard, Superior, Deluxe luxury
categories with 1 to 4 bedrooms. They offer water and/or natural bush-land views. A 4 seater golf buggy is included for the duration of the stay. 
Max capacity: 4 to 8 people
*No discount is available on this accommodation.

For more information regarding accommodation, please visit the accommodation section of our website.

Visit the Accommodation section of our website

Can absent friends send messages on our wedding day?

Of course!  Telegrams, emails, faxes and letters intended for you will be delivered personally to your reception venue or delivered to you after the wedding day, depending on when they are received by our office.  Any messages should be sent to:

Email:   c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s @ h a m i l t o n i s l a n d w e d d i n g s . c o m

Fax:    +61 7 49 468 036

Post:  PO Box 21
           Hamilton Island QLD 4803
           Australia

Still have more questions or queries?

If you have any queries or require further information please don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly consultants, our office is open from 9am – 5pm 7 days a week so feel free to call or email, we are here to help.

Thank you for playing such a big part in our special day.  We won’t forget how good you were to us

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