What to do 12 months before your wedding

So, you’ve read through my guide on what to do when you first get engaged, the major vendors are booked, and now it’s time for the finer details.

One of the best things you can do at this stage is slow down a little and make thoughtful decisions instead of rushed ones. By now, you’ve probably spent enough time on Pinterest to know what you genuinely love — and what was maybe just a passing trend.

When you book me for your wedding, you’ll also receive my curated Perth wedding vendor guide filled with trusted venues, florists, stylists, celebrants, beauty artists, and more — saving you hours scrolling outdated websites and questionable reviews.

What To Do 8–12 Months Before Your Wedding

Send out save the dates
Find your wedding dress
Source food & catering
Start planning your ceremony
Create your wedding website
Book your florist
Research hair & makeup artists
Think about how you want the day to feel
Relax and enjoy being engaged

Send Out Save the Dates

If you’re getting married during peak wedding season (especially October–April in Perth), it’s a good idea to send save the dates earlier rather than later — particularly if guests need to travel.

Around 12 months beforehand is usually perfect depending on your engagement timeline, and honestly, the earlier the better. Guests don’t need every tiny detail yet — just enough notice to plan ahead.

Find Your Wedding Dress

By now, you’ve probably already tried on a few dresses — and hopefully avoided panic-buying the very first one.

The truth is, you’ll likely look incredible in far more dresses than you expect. The key is finding something that feels like you, not just something trending online.

Try to think about:

comfort
movement
your venue
your personal style
how you want to feel on the day

And if you’re unsure about a veil? Leave that decision for later. Veils photograph beautifully, and you can always remove it partway through the day if you want a different look for portraits or the reception.

View my list of the best wedding dress shops in Perth here.

Book Your Pre-Wedding Accommodation

Whether it’s an Airbnb, boutique hotel, or family home, where you get ready can have a huge impact on how your morning feels — and how your photos look.

Look for:

natural light
open space
neutral tones
uncluttered rooms
somewhere you can actually relax

Some of my personal favourites in Perth include Como Treasury, The Ritz-Carlton, Crown Towers, and QT Perth.

Having space to breathe on the morning of your wedding really does make a difference.

Start Planning Your Ceremony

Your ceremony doesn’t need to be overly traditional to feel meaningful.

Some of the most beautiful ceremonies I’ve photographed have been simple, personal, and relaxed — focused more on the experience than trying to impress people.

Think about:

writing personal vows
involving family or friends
live music
meaningful locations
keeping things shorter and intentional

The best ceremonies are usually the ones that feel like an honest reflection of the couple, not a performance.

Create Your Wedding Website

Wedding websites make life so much easier for both you and your guests.

You can include:

timings
venue information
accommodation recommendations
RSVP details
dress code
registry information
transport details

It also saves you from answering the same questions 47 times.

Keep it simple, easy to navigate, and consistent with the overall feel of your wedding day.

Research Hair & Makeup Artists

If you haven’t already booked your hair and makeup artists, now is a good time to lock them in — especially during peak wedding season.

When researching artists, look beyond just perfectly curated Instagram grids. Pay attention to:

how skin looks in natural light
whether makeup still feels like the person
longevity
reviews
how calm and organised they seem

A trial is also a great opportunity to see how everything photographs and whether you genuinely feel comfortable and confident in the look.

You can book this in for your engagement party or hens night.

The best wedding hair and makeup still feels like you — just elevated a little.

Book your florist

It may seem early but If you have someone in mind that you really want, you are best off enquiring as early as possible to avoid dissapointment.

That being said, there are so many great florists in Perth, you’re spoilt for choice!

Things to keep in mind

your style and vision may change over the next year
trends come and go, so try stick to what you love
pick a florist with a similar style to you – some might like trying new things, others might be better at what they are good at
seasonal flowers – your florist will guide you so don’t feel overwhelmed if you have no ideas yet!

Consider food & catering

Final tastings will most likely come closer to the date but start getting ideas of your perfect caterer.

Ideas I love: Mi Scusi, Olio Bello, Heyder and Shears.

Think About How You Want the Day to Feel

Some of the most memorable weddings aren’t necessarily the most elaborate — they’re the ones where guests feel relaxed, connected, and genuinely looked after.