“It’s quite simple, I love everything about weddings.
I am a minimalist at heart, while each event provides an opportunity to express the couples personality in intimate detail.”
With 17 years experience in the wedding & events industry across Australia and the UK, Claire Bucklow leads Black Finn, bringing an undeniable obsession with love, an understated and timeless style preference, and a commitment to authenticity and edge.
Weddings are more than just a single day — they are a day to tell a story.
We approach each celebration with a balance of structure and creativity. The planning is meticulous. The
design is considered. The result is something that feels natural, elevated, and entirely your own.
With experience across private estates, marquee builds, and venue transformations, we specialise in creating environments that feel immersive without being overworked.
A day that holds meaning not only for the couple, but to their friends and family.
A gathering of people from near and far, who might never have been in a room together before, and may never be again.
A day like no other.
Something old, something blue, something borrowed…
Something new.
Working with a select group of clients each season allows us to tell a truly new and personal story, an event that feels totally you.
In a saturated industry dominated by social media and trends, how do we talk about our style?
We believe love is a big deal. But we believe small details provide for intimate experiences.
It all starts with a conversation.
Working closely together, our process involves elevating your own ideas, as well as coming up with something you haven’t seen before.
Having worked across multiple venues and with a background in hospitality, we understand both front of house and back of house logistics and requirements.
Being true to the couple is what drives us. The venue, the surroundings, the guests, all play a part in this story.
Black Finn works with a close supplier network of experienced design staff, set up teams, and florists across Victoria and NSW.
Events outside of these states and internationally are considered on a case by case basis dependent on the yearly travel schedule.
Our core investments & services
Wedding Planning:
A comprehensive service from concept to execution.
Our full service planning offers supports from the early stages of planning through to the day itself.
We manage the logistics, coordination and decision-making required to bring your event together seamlessly.
We have an extensive knowledge of the wedding industry and will present suppliers who align with your personality & budget.
We work from an online document which is shared and updated throughout the planning process to provide you with complete transparency with every decision made.
This is for couples who value a cohesive, considered experience and a result that feels intentional at every level.
Packages can include:
Venue Scouting
Venue site visit
Budget Management
Documentation: Run Sheet & Floor Plans, Seating Charts, Guest Lists, Check-lists, Music, Timelines, Budget
Supplier Cost Analysis, Booking & Management. Including: Celebrant, Photographer, Videographer, Food & Beverage, Entertainment, Florist, Decor & Furnishing, Hire.
Save the Dates & Invitations
RSVP & Guest list management
Custom Wedding Website
All planning packages are inclusive of our on day management package - 8 on site hours
Bump in & bump out management
Pricing starts from $6,500
Our planning packages are only available in conjunction with our event design package.
Please note that we create custom quotes for all of our couples based on their unique requirements.
Event design:
Our event design service focuses on creating a cohesive aesthetic that reflects who you are while ensuring every visual detail works together seamlessly.
We begin with dedicated time to get to know you — both as a couple and as individuals. Understanding your personalities, preferences and the overall atmosphere you want to create. This allows us to shape a design direction that feels authentic and considered.
Our events are cohesive, unique and meticulously planned down to the last detail and each event has a unique ‘Black Finn’ touch.
Event design includes:
One on one sessions to get to know you as a couple & as individuals
Design concept - Visual document outlining the aesthetic direction for the event.
Inclusive of colour palette, furniture, florals, stationery, cake, personal touches to enhance the design.Floor plans, table layouts and detailed place setting design
Styling budget management
Liaison between client & all styling suppliers
Execution of brief on the day with experienced styling staff
Pricing starts from $3,500
Please note that we create custom quotes for all of our couples based on their unique requirements.
Project Management:
What sets us apart?
We have worked at many venues across Melbourne and the UK.
Our work is not just about aesthetics, we truly know what goes into an event and the flow on effect that each choice makes on both front and back of house.
We also believe that project management should start long before 8 weeks out from the day.
This ensures you can set expectations for your timeline early, have correct start times for your invitations & accurately budget for supplier costs such as photography & videography hours, BYO beverages and event staffing so there are no budget surprises a few weeks out from the wedding day.
Our process:
Upon booking:
Initial zoom to put together a rough timeline which will set you up for booking in your key suppliers
30 minute consult where you are welcome to pick our brain about anything wedding related
Access to Black Finn wedding planning template
We then pick up the planning 8 weeks out from the day to finesse the timeline, be the point of contact for your suppliers & ensure no stone is left unturned.
On the day:
Liaison between all suppliers, venue, MC and client to ensure smooth running of every aspect as per the agreed
Management of bump in of all suppliers
Management of ceremony - liaison between celebrant, musicians & bridal party
Pricing starts from $2,500
Please note that we create custom quotes for all of our couples based on their unique requirements.
Contact us
FULL SCALE EVENT PLANNING
EVENT DESIGN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ONE ON ONE SESSIONS
CURATED HIRE
