The 10 Questions Every Perth Bride Asks at the Start of Their Wedding Planning Journey
Vicky RahmicBy Vicky Rahmic – Perth Wedding Planner and Designer
Starting your wedding planning journey should feel exciting, not overwhelming. As a Perth wedding planner, these are the exact questions brides ask me in their first weeks of planning and the answers that create clarity, confidence and direction.
1. Where do we start with planning a wedding?
Most couples assume the first step is booking a venue. In reality the first step is defining your foundations:
- Your overall vision and the feeling you want for the day
- Your guest count
- Your comfortable investment range
Once you are clear on these three elements it becomes much easier to shortlist venues, choose vendors and avoid venue regret or budget blowouts. If you are unsure where to begin, working with a wedding planner in Perth from the start will save you a lot of time and second guessing.
2. How much does a Perth wedding cost?
This is usually the first question couples whisper. A modern Perth wedding typically falls into these ranges for approximately 80 guests:
- $60K–$90K for a classic well styled wedding
- $100K–$150K+ for a luxury full service wedding
- $180K+ for multi day or large scale celebrations
Your total spend is shaped by venue hire, catering, florals, styling and hire, photography and videography, entertainment, transport and the labour behind bringing everything to life. Having a smaller guest count does not mean your investment will necessarily mean it will be more cost effective, you will save on food and beverage but this not reduce florals, photography and so on.
A planner will help you allocate your budget strategically so you invest in the elements that matter most to you.
3. Which Perth wedding venues should we look at?
Most brides start with a list of venues they have seen on Instagram. A better starting point is to ask what kind of experience you want for yourselves and your guests. Once you know that the venue list becomes clearer.
Popular Perth venue styles include:
- Riverside elegance: Matilda Bay, Nedlands Yacht Club and other Swan River locations
- Luxury hotels: The Ritz Carlton, Crown, COMO and The Westin
- Coastal: Cottesloe Civic Centre, beachside restaurants and coastal lawns
- Wineries: Sandalford, Caversham House and Swan Valley estates
- Modern and industrial: Assembly Yard and inner city warehouse style spaces
Your venue should reflect your story and how you want the day to feel, not just what is trending online. You can explore some of our couples and venues on our Real Weddings page.
4. When should we book our wedding vendors?
The order you book your vendors has a big impact on how smooth your planning journey feels. A helpful guideline is:
- Wedding planner
- Venue
- Celebrant
- Photographer and videographer
- Content Creator
- Entertainment and music
- Hair and makeup
- Transport
- Florals and styling
- Stationery
- Hire Items
- Cake and desserts
Booking in the right order helps you build a cohesive team that shares the same vision for your wedding.
5. Do we really need a wedding planner?
This question usually appears after couples have spent many late nights trying to juggle planning on top of work and life. A planner is not only for extravagant weddings. The right planner will:
- Guide you through the entire process step by step
- Create a cohesive vision and design for your day
- Recommend and manage trusted Perth wedding vendors
- Protect your budget and help you avoid costly mistakes
- Build detailed timelines and logistics plans
- Oversee your wedding day so you can be fully present
If you are time poor, planning from interstate or overseas or simply want a calm enjoyable experience, full service wedding planning is one of the best investments you can make.
6. How do we choose our wedding style?
Many brides feel pressure to decide on a theme immediately. Instead of locking yourself into one look, start with:
- The words you would use to describe your ideal wedding day
- Colours and textures you are naturally drawn to at home and when you travel
- Architectural styles and landscapes you love around Perth or overseas
- How you want guests to feel when they arrive and when they leave
Your planner and design team will take these cues and translate them into a cohesive concept, mood board and styling plan that suits your venue and budget.
7. How far in advance should we book our Perth wedding?
For Perth weddings the ideal lead time is:
- 12–18 months for peak season dates between September and April
- 9–12 months for winter weddings
- 18–24 months for luxury or multi day celebrations
Popular venues and high end vendors often book out well in advance so the earlier you engage your planner the more options you will have.
8. How do we stay on budget?
The most common reasons budgets blow out are:
- Booking a venue before understanding the minimum spend and add ons
- Underestimating the cost of florals, hire and labour
- Attempting too much DIY which ends up costing more in time and replacements
- Changing direction part way through planning
- Not having a clear plan before locking in vendors
A planner will help you prioritise where to allocate your budget so you achieve the look and experience you want while keeping spending aligned with your comfort level.
9. How do we make our wedding feel unique?
Many Perth brides worry their wedding will feel like every other celebration they have seen on social media. True uniqueness comes from personal details rather than trends.
Consider elements such as:
- Incorporating your culture or family traditions
- Designing guest experiences that reflect your story
- Thoughtful music choices and moments throughout the day
- Custom florals and tablescapes that suit your personalities
- Special touches such as private vows, wardrobe changes or late night surprises
A planner who specialises in bespoke weddings will design your day around your story so it feels like the two of you rather than a copy of someone else.
10. What mistakes should we avoid early in the planning?
Some of the biggest mistakes to avoid in the early stages are:
- Booking a venue before you are clear on your vision, guest count and investment
- Choosing vendors based on social media alone instead of experience and fit
- Forgetting to factor in delivery, setup and pack down costs
- Underestimating how much time planning will take on top of work and life
- Leaving key decisions until the last minute
Making considered decisions in the first few months sets the tone for the entire planning journey and for how your wedding day will feel.
Ready to start planning your Perth wedding?
If you are newly engaged and at the beginning of your planning journey, you do not have to figure it all out alone. With the right guidance, your wedding can feel calm, intentional and unforgettable from day one.
To learn more about how we work you can explore our wedding planning services or take a look at some of our recent celebrations on our Real Weddings page.
When you are ready to talk about your day, you can get in touch here and we will schedule a time to walk through your vision, priorities and next steps.