Van Dev Weddings - Ultimate Wedding Planning

As the Wedding Specialist at Let’s Marry, I have supported over 2,000 weddings across Australia and New Zealand across five separate services. Prior to the last ten years of supporting wonderful wedding couples, I supported $100M companies as a national Project Manager.

It is from this deeper perspective, I had the pleasure of meeting Kodie from Van Dav Weddings, to understand and to appreciate her unprecedented, detailed approach towards Wedding Planning. As the proprietor of Van Dev Weddings, Kodie takes a caring, proactive and diligent approach to supporting her many wonderful Wedding Couples.

I asked Kodie a series of questions, with her answers appearing below.

With so many wedding vendors available across a spectrum of services and products, what due diligence is upheld by Kodie at Van Dev Weddings to ensure the quality, reliability and trustworthiness of those businesses it recommends to wedding couples?

I love to match my clients with the perfect vendors suited to their needs and visions, making their wedding day even more memorable. I maintain an exclusive list of trusted vendors with whom I have established a rapport through past collaborations, ensuring they align with my commitment to excellence.

On the occasions where my clients seek a specific vendor type outside my current vendor portfolio, I undertake an extensive vendor research process. This involves delving into the vendor's historical business practices, analysing client feedback and reviews, scrutinizing their qualifications, and evaluating the quality of their customer service. These efforts are essential to guarantee that every vendor I recommend not only meets but exceeds the expectations of my discerning clients.

Moreover, I take the extra step of personally meeting with potential vendors well in advance of my clients’ events. This allows me to delve beyond the surface and ensure the legitimacy of each vendor’s business. I believe in fostering personal connections with my referred vendors to understand their work ethic and passion for creating exceptional wedding experiences.

But my commitment doesn't stop there. Wherever feasible, I actively seek to experience the services of these vendors firsthand. This firsthand encounter provides invaluable insights, allowing me to precisely anticipate what my clients can expect. By immersing myself into what my vendors offer, I can confidently guide my clients toward affiliates who not only meet their wedding day expectations, but who will enhance their overall experience.

In essence, my vendor selection process combines thorough research, professional connections, and firsthand experiences, allowing me to select the very best vendors for each and every client.

Planning a wedding is akin to a "romantic project". That is, there's a large volume of tasks to be done, people to be allocated to these tasks and the documentation of the timing of such (before, during and after the Wedding Day). Does Kodie from Van Dev Weddings use Gantt Charting methods to assist with this "romantic project" planning?

Wedding planning is indeed “akin to a romantic project”. That’s I've meticulously developed a comprehensive wedding timeline checklist. This textual roadmap plays a crucial role in orchestrating a seamless wedding planning journey for my clients. While it may not adhere to the visual format of traditional Gantt Charts, my in-depth checklist does reflect the optimal order of contributions by vendors to any wedding and how the timing of each contribution effects those of other vendors.

However, like in Gantt Charting’s concept of “critical path”, if there are proposed changes in the order of task my checklist highlights what impact (if any) these changes will have on the timing of other tasks. This is a testament to my commitment to precision planning. Every detail, from the initial planning stages to the post-celebration moments, is considered and executed flawlessly through this invaluable tool.

My timeline checklist conforms to wedding industry standards and is designed to be flexible. This allows me to customise the planning process based on my couples’ engagement periods (e.g. several years, a year or simply a few months). Simply, I accommodate the timeline and adapt my tool to match the needs of my clients.

This invaluable resource guides me towards effective time allocation, managing tasks with precision, and ensuring nothing is overlooked. Simply, it is the backbone of my intended, meticulous planning approach. It allows me to make informed decisions, allocate resources efficiently, and document timelines meticulously.

For the majority of wedding couples, it's their first time along the decision-making pathway for their wedding event. The wave upon wave of considerations and decisions can become overwhelming, sometimes with couples needing time to consider options and/or to change their minds. How does Kodie from Van Dev Weddings mentor couples along this varying planning process?

I want nothing but the best for my couples. Planning a wedding is such an exciting time in one’s life and it should be an enjoyable process. But it’s correct to say that wedding planning is also a daunting task that can become extremely stressful, and emotionally taxing for all involved. I find that it’s the unknown and the overwhelm of To Do’s with which first-time couples often struggle.

Thankfully, because of my exclusive planning packages, my couples never have to feel this way. Navigating the intricate journey of wedding planning is what I do best. I understand that the multitude of decisions and considerations can be overwhelming, prompting the need for time and flexibility in choices, all of which are accommodated within my planning processes.

My commitment is to ensure that this significant period in any couple’s lives is not only enjoyable but also of minimum stress. With my exclusive planning packages, I tailor an approach that transforms the wedding planning process into a seamless and enjoyable journey. From conceptualising the wedding or elopement style/design, to sourcing the perfect venue and vendors, as a fully certified wedding planner, I offer a guiding light throughout. Having very recently walked in the footsteps of a bride, I bring a unique understanding of the immense importance and significance attached to this singular day.

My mentorship extends beyond the conceptual stages to liaising with vendors, managing the wedding day, and handling every detail from the event set-up to the final pack-down. My personal experience allows me to empathise with the weight that can sometimes rest upon a couple's shoulders, and I am dedicated to lifting that burden. I stand by my couples every step of the way, ensuring their day evolves into the extraordinary event they’ve envisioned.

At Van Dev Weddings, my mission is clear. To provide not only the best planning services but also a supportive and uplifting experience that turns the daunting task of wedding planning into a joyful and unforgettable journey for my cherished couples.

What contingency planning is automatically included with Van Dev Weddings? For example, due to unforeseeable family illness, a vendor must suspend its services for several months and sadly just one month away from your client couple's Wedding Day.

At Van Dev Weddings, I recognize that unforeseeable circumstances can haunt the dreams of a perfect wedding, but they do not need to worry. In the unfortunate event of a wedding vendor, crucial to their celebration, becoming unable to perform their services due to unforeseen family illness or any unexpected circumstances, I have contingency plans in place to ensure the flow and fun of my client’s wedding day remains uninterrupted.

In such scenarios, I step in immediately, liaising with the affected vendor on my clients’ behalf. My priority is to secure an equally talented and proficient replacement, ensuring that the integrity of my client’s wedding vision is preserved. Leveraging my carefully selected network of skilled professionals, I swiftly reach out to suitable alternatives, ensuring the unfolding of this wedding remains on course. This is supported by my chosen vendors, many of which already have their own contingency plans documented and set to be activated if needed.

Likewise, if for any unforeseeable circumstance, Van Dev Weddings is unable to fulfill its duties, a contingency plan is ready to be enacted. I will diligently source the perfect replacement planner or coordinator for your wedding or elopement celebrations. In this process, I plan a comprehensive meeting with your new planner to discuss and hand over all the planning decisions made to-date. This includes providing the new planner with all the materials, documents, and work I've completed for your event and walking them through the next steps and remaining tasks required of them. I make this transition seamless, ensuring the new planner is well-versed in every single detail of your event.

As the Director of Van Dev Weddings, I provide a guarantee. No matter what challenges or unexpected events may occur during the planning of my clients’ events, or on the day itself, I will effectively and efficiently navigate through these roadblocks. With the utmost care and professionalism, I will ensure my clients receive the grand wedding they desire.

Wedding couples often invest many, many tens-of-thousands of dollars towards their special day. Given this commercial expenditure, does Van Dev Weddings provide to couples a detailed Wedding Budget template?

I recognise the significant financial investment my couples make in their special day. To empower my clients and bring clarity to their investment, I manage their budget and tracking spending on their behalf. Not only do I have a detailed wedding budget template, but also a meticulous expenditure tracker. My clients enjoy the luxury of having detailed financial insights at their fingertips whenever they desire, without the burden of day-to-day budget management.

Beyond the numbers, my approach involves personalised consultations where I delve deep into each couple’s unique preferences. Through a series of thoughtful questions, I tailor the budget to reflect what matters most to them, ensuring every dollar is allocated intentionally. At Van Dev Weddings, I take the reins, meticulously bringing a couple’s wedding visions to life whilst insightfully maximising their budget's potential. My commitment is not just to plan extraordinary events but also to provide my clients with a seamless, stress-free experience, ensuring every dollar invested translates into an unforgettable celebration.

Couples in need of a professional Wedding Planner do so for a myriad of reasons, one common reason being because they're already very time-poor. Allowing for their limited time to discuss and decide on the wedding plan options, how do you ensure you're easily available to these couples at times suitable to them?

As I understand the demanding schedules of my couples, Van Dev Weddings prioritises the accessibility and flexibility of its services. To guarantee my clients receive the utmost attention, I intentionally limit the number of couples I work with annually. This ensures that my commitment is not diluted, instead my undivided attention is readily available whenever I am needed. Whilst my standard office hours are from 8.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday, I acknowledge the unique time constraints my clients face. For those clients who are unavailable during these times, special meetings are held outside these hours.

My clients also enjoy unlimited phone and email access throughout the entire planning process, facilitating seamless connection at their convenience. My strategic planning process incorporates two in-person consultations strategically placed within the planning timeline for maximum productivity. In appreciative of my time-poor clients, I also offer video streamed catch-ups.

What are the qualifications, awards, experience, etc of Kodie at Van Dev Weddings towards curating a wedding couple's "Perfect World' within the one day destined to be revered?

As its lead planner and stylist, I established Van Dev Weddings based on my rich collection of qualifications and experience. In 2020, I earned my place within the wedding industry as a fully qualified wedding planner, having earned my Certificate of Professional Wedding Planning, Styling, and Design from The Wedding Planner Institute. With over three years of dedicated involvement in the wedding industry, including a significant chapter at a luxury wedding venue on the outskirts of Brisbane, I’ve meticulously planned and/or coordinated approximately 100 weddings, showcasing an exceptional proficiency in curating, and coordinating extraordinary events.

Beyond Australian shores, Van Dev Weddings extends its services to destination events worldwide. My expertise has transcended borders, from orchestrating an elaborate destination wedding in South Africa to currently planning another in Fiji. My work has recently gained recognition from 'Great Destination Weddings' wherein I was featured in an eminent article of this magazine.

My academic achievements shine through my university graduation, marked by a prestigious academic award. From this, I was acceptance into the ‘Golden Key International Honour Society', the world's largest collegiate honour society with membership into the Society by invitation only and is a testament to my standing in the top 15% of graduate students globally across all fields of study. Plus, with my university degree being adjacent to the wedding industry, it underscores my dedication in the industry towards excellence and continued drive for perfection.

With a foundation built on qualifications, experience, and a commitment to excellence, Van Dev Weddings, stands poised to craft the "Perfect World" for weddings destined to be revered.

What do we gain in expending time and money with a Wedding Planner?

Choosing a wedding planner is a strategic decision that significantly enhances the entire wedding experience. Wedding Planners, in general, bring expertise and industry knowledge to guide couples through the complexities of wedding planning. This not only streamlines decision-making but also opens doors to a network of trusted vendors, ensuring a well-coordinated event.

With the responsibility of managing logistics, communicating with vendors, and handling intricate details, Wedding Planners avail couples to focus on the joy of their engagement without the overwhelming burden of planning. Additionally, Wedding Planners provide stress reduction, taking on the intricacies of planning and execution to ensure the wedding day runs smoothly. Their added role as coordinators at the event itself allows couples to relax and fully immerse themselves in the celebration without the hassle of managing every detail.

The attention to detail, budget management, and efficient decision-making facilitated by Wedding Planners means a meticulously curated and enjoyable celebration. It is this that makes the investment in a Wedding Planner simply invaluable.

What's so unique about Van Dev Weddings for us to choose them over their competitors?

Van Dev Weddings stands out in the wedding industry for its commitment to exclusivity, a defining feature that sets it apart from other planners. I limit client intake to ensure that each couple receives my undivided attention. This exclusivity allows me to channel all of my time, energy, and resources into crafting not just weddings but extraordinary, tailor-made celebrations.

What truly distinguishes Van Dev Weddings is its genuine investment in understanding its couples. At Van Dev, I invest time to intimately know my couples, to unravel their personalities, hopes, and dreams. This knowledge forms the foundation for creating a wedding experience that is not only meticulously planned but authentically reflective of who they are. I want my couples to feel seen, heard, and understood, fostering a bond that transcends the role of a typical Wedding Planner.

At the heart of my approach is genuine care for my clients and their events. I want my couples to feel more than just clients as they are valued, respected, and appreciated partners on their journey. Choosing Van Dev Weddings means choosing a bespoke and deeply personal wedding experience, where exclusivity, dedication, and a passion for curating extraordinary celebrations combine.


In conclusion, my encounter with Kodie at Van Dev Weddings has given great insight into her processes and the personalised journey in which she takes her couples. Kodie's values align with my values here at Let’s Marry and her dedication to creating a harmonious celebration, paired with her extensive knowledge and exceptionally robust planning, is truly unique.

With much enthusiasm, Kodie has generously agreed to offer you and your fiancée a complimentary 45-minute consultation to discuss your wedding vision. This initial meeting is intended for Kodie to better understand your hopes and dreams, allowing you to collaborate and transform your wedding desires into an extraordinary experience. It's an opportunity for you to connect and ensure she is the perfect fit to create your unforgettable celebration. During this meeting, you and your fiancée can seek guidance and get answers to questions about the wedding planning process. It also enables Kodie to create a custom quote tailored to your specific needs if you choose to move forward. So, without any obligation, you can experience Kodie’s perfect matching of vendors to suit your needs and visions by clicking here...

To otherwise learn more about the collective services Kodie provides at Van Dev Weddings, simply click here …