How To Start Planning A Wedding?

You're Engaged, What's Next?

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Your time is finally here!!!

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Take some time and enjoy this monumental moment! Go get yourself a nice bottle of wine & get those ring selfies out! 🥂💍

Call your friends and family to celebrate the news or throw a surprise engagement party. Then get down to business and plan the wedding of your dreams.

For many engaged couples, wedding planning can seem like a daunting process.

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Don’t worry, take a deep breath we’ve got you covered.

Where do I start? You've come to the right place!!

1) Start Brainstorming & Research
The time has come to take out your notebook and computer and start brainstorming your ideal wedding day! What season? Destination wedding or somewhere close? Think about a color palette… the dress you want? Don’t forget to scroll Pinterest, wedding blogs, and Instagram for inspiration, save your favorite ideas, and start seeing a vision for your day come together.

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2) Set a Budget
Decide how much you and your fiancé will personally be spending on the wedding and ask family members if they will be contributing. Figure out your budget to decide if you can afford to hire a planner & coordinator. If you’re able to afford a planner, your planner has the skills and expertise to help you decide your budget and decipher how much your must haves will cost. Your planner will then do the math to establish your remaining budget and what is then needed. Remember, it’s okay to be realistic, weddings can get expensive fast, so knowing your numbers early will save you stress later.

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3) If you can, hire a planner!
From working in the wedding business, I can tell you wedding planning isn't as easy as it seems. There are so many parts to pulling together a personal, polished wedding that fits your standards. Think about the plates you want, or maybe the time of the grand exit, think about helping guests, and the bridal party. Think about how you want the venue to be set up? The planner does it all. Having a planner is like having a fairy godmother, someone who knows what questions to ask, who to call, and how to make your wedding day go smoothly so you can just enjoy it.

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4) Draft up that wedding guest list!
Here's my piece of advice before making this list, the more people, the higher in cost. Although that might not be a problem for everyone, it sure can be for some. If you haven’t reached out to this person in the last 6 months of your life, I would say… you do not need to invite them. Start with your must have guests, then expand to friends and extended family. Keep in mind your venue capacity and your budget, it’s easier to start small and add than to overshoot and stress.

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5) Pick Your Venue & Date
Once your guest list and budget are in place, it’s time to lock down a venue and date! This will guide every other decision, from catering to photography. Popular venues book up fast, so don’t wait too long. Think about whether you want a morning, afternoon, or evening ceremony, and whether a certain season or holiday matters to you.

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6) Start Booking Your Vendors
Vendors like photographers, videographers, florists, and caterers also book up early. Start reaching out to your top picks as soon as possible so you don’t miss out. When you meet them, ask questions, check reviews, and make sure your personalities click, it’s going to be a long day, and you want people you enjoy working with!

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7) Engagement Photos Are a Must!
Engagement photos are more than just cute pictures, they’re a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day. Pick a location that has personal meaning to you, coordinate your outfits, and just have fun! These photos can also be used for save the dates, wedding websites, or guest books.

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8) Create a Wedding Timeline
Planning the order of events for your wedding day is crucial. When does hair and makeup start? When will the ceremony take place? What time is dinner? Creating a timeline ensures that everything runs smoothly and helps your vendors and bridal party stay on track. Your planner can help with this, or you can draft one yourself if you’re doing a DIY wedding.

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9) Think About Your Wedding Day Details
The little things matter! Consider your flowers, table settings, decor, and even the playlist for the reception. These details make your wedding personal and memorable. Don’t forget to include sentimental touches like family heirlooms or photos of loved ones who can’t be there.

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10) Enjoy the Journey
Yes, planning a wedding involves decisions, logistics, and sometimes stress, but don’t forget to enjoy this special time. Celebrate milestones along the way, take time for date nights, and savor the excitement of planning your wedding together. This is a chapter you’ll remember forever!

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