Planning a christening involves more moving parts than most families expect. With ABS data showing Victoria consistently records some of Australia's highest birth numbers, christening venues and vendors book up quickly — so planning ahead is essential. Between the church ceremony, the reception, the guest list, the catering, and the styling, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This step-by-step checklist will help Melbourne families stay organised and ensure nothing falls through the cracks, so you can focus on enjoying this special milestone.
8 to 12 Weeks Before Your Christening
Start by confirming the ceremony details with your church or parish. Book your preferred date, confirm the time, and ask about any requirements — many churches have specific preparation sessions for parents. Once the ceremony date is locked in, everything else follows.
Book your reception venue — the City of Melbourne events page is a good starting point for finding suitable function spaces. Popular venues in suburbs like Oakleigh, Preston, and Doncaster fill up quickly, especially on weekends. If you are hosting at home, start planning the layout and seating arrangements. Create your guest list and send save-the-dates or informal invitations to give family and friends plenty of notice.
- Confirm ceremony date and requirements with your church
- Book your reception venue or plan your home celebration layout
- Create and finalise your guest list
- Choose godparents and confirm their availability
- Begin looking at christening outfit options
4 to 6 Weeks Before
This is when the details start coming together. Book your catering — whether that is a restaurant package, an external caterer, or family-prepared food. Send formal invitations if you have not already. This is also the ideal time to book your event stylist and lock in your decoration plan.
At iDo. Events, we recommend booking at least four to six weeks ahead for christenings. This gives us time to plan your styling, source any custom elements, and ensure your preferred items are available. Browse our hire collection to start building your vision, or request a quote with your event details.
- Book catering or finalise food plans
- Send formal invitations
- Book your event stylist and confirm decoration plans
- Order the christening cake
- Purchase or order the christening outfit and accessories
- Arrange a photographer if desired
2 to 3 Weeks Before
Confirm all bookings and follow up on RSVPs. Finalise your colour palette and share it with your stylist, caterer, and cake maker so everything is coordinated. Choose your bonbonniere or favours and begin assembling them if you are making them yourself.
If you are hiring styling elements, confirm the delivery and setup schedule with your provider. Our team at iDo. Events will confirm a specific delivery window and provide a setup timeline so you know exactly when everything will be in place. Double-check venue access times to ensure there is enough time for styling setup before guests arrive.
The Week Before
Confirm final guest numbers with your venue and caterer. Prepare any personal items for the venue: photos for display, the lambada or baptismal candle, bonbonniere, and any family heirlooms you want incorporated into the styling. Pack these in a clearly labelled box for easy handover on the day.
Do a final check with all vendors — stylist, caterer, photographer, and venue. Confirm contact numbers and share them so everyone can communicate on the day if needed. Prepare your own outfit and the baby's outfit, and do a trial run if the christening gown has complicated fastenings.
On the Day
Trust your preparation and your team. If you have hired professional stylists like our iDo. Events crew, we will handle the venue transformation while you focus on the ceremony and your family. After the ceremony, arrive at your beautifully styled venue and enjoy every moment of the celebration with your loved ones.
Planning a christening in Melbourne does not have to be stressful. At iDo. Events, we handle the styling from start to finish — delivery, setup, and pack-down included across all suburbs. Request a free quote or explore our hire collection to take the first step.
