Planning the first night

The Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.

With five months to go to the main event, my focus for the next few weeks will be some minor details - like finalising the guest list, dress appointments with Steven Khalil, hunting down invitation materials, and deciding on pre-wedding events, like my kitchen tea, hen's night and Laylia (or pre-wedding night).

Considering we will be getting hitched at a time when Australia is brimming with tourists, not to mention the holiday season, I decided I better get cracking on the honeymoon and all that goes with it. James & I really wanted to be back in time for Christmas, so a two week honeymoon was our only option. I've already bought our Christmas tree you see, and am really excited at putting it up with my husband in our first home together.

James wanted to go to Thailand, but seeing as it is so close by and we can go there at anytime. I preferred somewhere a little more romantic: New York in the winter. I can imagine dinners out, lazy brunches, carriage rides in Central Park & ice-skating in Rockerfeller Centre. But, to ensure we had a bit of fun too, we've also decided to spend a few days in Vegas. Unfortunately, the whole affair was quite costly, but considering we'll be able to do our Christmas shopping there, and we only honeymoon once, it was not something I was willing to debate.

With our flights sorted for the day after our wedding, and our NYC and Vegas hotels booked and paid for, I turned my attention to my wedding night. I wanted something luxurious and glamorous, preferably with a view and set in one of my favourite of Sydney districts: The Rocks.

After scouting a few hotels, I eventually found a package that epitomised what I was after at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel (a chain that is Mr Big's choice, no less), which as an added bonus, is the only Australian-owned five-star hotel in Sydney.

With their wedding package, I was able to arrange a room with views of the harbour, breakfast in the suite, and a light meal and sparkling wine on arrival - perfect for that last indulgence on my big day! The package also allows for a 3pm late checkout, which means we won't need to get up in a hurry after the frenzied excitement of the day before.