Congratulations! You’re newly engaged! The love of your life has popped the question, and of course you said yes! You’ve shared the news with family and friends and now you’re basking in the joy of this season. But, after the excitement starts wane, a new question arises: “How do I plan a wedding“?

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start, but don’t worry, whether you’re planning a large wedding or a small, intimate affair, I have a step-by-step guide to help you get started on your wedding planning journey.

1. Take a Moment to Enjoy the Engagement

Before jumping right into wedding planning, be sure to take some time to truly enjoy your engagement. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment! You deserve to soak in the excitement and anticipation of it all. One way to do this is to celebrate the joy of your engagement with family and friends. You can choose to have a formal engagement party or a small, casual get together to mark the occasion.

However you choose to celebrate, be sure to take time with your partner to reflect on your relationship and look ahead toward your future together. Also, make time to chat with your partner about your dreams and goals for your wedding.

You don’t need to rush the planning process. It’s okay to take a few days, weeks, or even months before fully diving into the logistics. Use this time to bask in the happiness of being newly engaged.

2. Talk About Your Wedding Vision and Budget

When you’re ready to start wedding planning, the first step is to discuss your vision and the vibe for your big day. It’s important that you and your partner are on the same page about what kind of wedding you both want.

Next, determine your budget and who will be paying for the wedding. This is the most important step as everything else is dependent on this. You will need to sit down and talk about how much you are willing to spend and who is contributing. Will you and your fiance be paying for everything? Will your parents be contributing? Setting a budget and knowing where the money is coming from first will help guide all of your decisions. Make a list of what’s most important to you—whether it’s a beautiful venue, a grand reception, or keeping things intimate—and allocate funds accordingly.

Once you have a budget set you can determine the setting. Are you envisioning a formal affair? A rustic barn wedding? Or maybe you’re dreaming about a destination wedding! Will you have a traditional ceremony or something more modern and creative? Discuss the vibe you both want and choose a venue that reflects that.

The next important thing to consider is whether you want a large guest list or a more intimate group of friends and family. This will impact your venue choice, catering options, and overall budget. Every person you invite affects the amount of tables and chairs you’ll need, linens, drinks, place settings, and food.

By having these discussions early on will help in avoiding confusion or misalignment as the planning progresses. It’s essential to understand each other’s desires and expectations before moving forward.

3. Select Your Wedding Date

Setting a date or at least a general timeframe for your wedding is one of the first tasks to tackle. Your wedding date will influence everything else, including venue availability, vendor schedules, and your overall timeline.

If you’re set on a specific season, month, or even a certain day of the week (like a weekend or a holiday), take that into account when discussing potential dates.

It’s also important to consider any special events or milestones in your life that might affect the wedding date. For example, if one of you has an important work commitment or if there are family events that conflict with certain dates, you’ll want to plan accordingly.

Once you settle on a date, you can begin the process of booking venues and vendors (Now it gets real!)

4. Create a Wedding Planning Checklist

Wedding planning involves a million little tasks, so creating a checklist is essential to stay organized. You can find many wedding planning checklists online, or you can create your own tailored to your specific needs. A typical checklist might include:

• Booking the venue and securing the date.
• Finding and booking a photographer, videographer, or both.
• Keeping track of deposits, due dates, and balances
• Purchasing or renting your wedding attire (dress, tuxedo, etc.).
• Securing vendors like florists, caterers, and entertainment.
• Registering for wedding gifts.
• Sending out save-the-dates and invitations.

Having a checklist ensures you stay on track and don’t forget any important details along the way. Break everything down into manageable steps and give yourself plenty of time to tackle each task.

5. Hire Key Vendors

The next big step is hiring your wedding vendors. The earlier you book your vendors, the better, especially for popular dates or busy wedding seasons. Some key vendors you’ll need to secure include:

• Wedding Planner/Coordinator: If you’re opting for professional help, a wedding planner or coordinator can be an invaluable resource for managing the logistics, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring your wedding day goes smoothly. It ensures you get to focus on the day and not worry about a thing. My favorite Coordinators: Shelley Ann Events, The Humble Hostess, and Tying Knots
• Venue: Securing your venue is a priority. Whether you choose a large ballroom, an outdoor garden, or a fun destination, be sure to visit multiple venues and check their availability before making your choice. My top three Venue choices: The Riverbottom Ranch, Moravia Winery, Grangeville Oaks
• Photographer/Videographer: Your wedding photos and videos will be your keepsakes for a lifetime. Do research, meet with potential photographers, and book someone whose style and personality aligns with your vision. If you don’t love me or my style (but why not?), I can recommend others you may like!
• Caterer and Cake: If your venue doesn’t provide catering, you’ll need to book a caterer. Be sure to sample the food beforehand to ensure it meets your expectations. Don’t forget about the cake or dessert table! My fave pics: Southern Hospitality, Classic Catering, Love and Garlic
• Florist: A florist can help bring your wedding vision to life with beautiful floral arrangements for the ceremony, reception, and beyond. My go to: Rikki – Latta Love Floral Design
• Hair and Makeup: You are going to want to look and feel your absolute best on your wedding day. You’re also going to want to look natural in your wedding photos. I highly recommend you splurge on getting professional hair and makeup done on your wedding day. Here are my favorite artists: Hair by Jenna, Sierra Jane Studios

It’s a good idea to review contracts carefully, ask for referrals, and read reviews to ensure you’re working with trusted professionals.

6. Start Thinking About Your Wedding Attire

Once your wedding date is secured and your vendors are booked, it’s time to start thinking about attire. For many couples, this is one of the most exciting parts of the process!

• Wedding Dress: Finding the perfect wedding dress can take time. It’s a good idea to start early. Visit bridal boutiques and take your time choosing the dress that makes you feel your best. You’ll know it’s the right one when you don’t want to take it off and it feels like you in it.
• Bridesmaids and Groom/Groomsmen Attire: After selecting your attire, consider your groom and bridal party. You’ll need to discuss styles, colors, and what’s within everyone’s budget for bridesmaids and groomsmen attire.
• Accessories: Don’t forget about shoes, jewelry, veils, and other accessories that will complete your look.

Remember, this is your day, so choose what makes you feel confident and happy!

7. Create a Wedding Website

Many couples choose to create a wedding website to keep guests informed. Your wedding website can include important details like:

• Event details: Information about your venue, dress code, and schedule of events.
• Gift registry: Include links to your wedding registries so guests know where to shop for gifts.
• Accommodations: List hotels or lodging options for out-of-town guests.
• Things to Do: Out of towners may stay a few days. Give them a list of fun things to see or do in your area.

A wedding website helps streamline communication with your guests and keeps everyone up to date with any changes or details.

Popular wedding websites: The Knot, ZOLA

8. Enjoy the Process!

Wedding planning can sometimes feel like a marathon, but it’s important to enjoy the process. Take a step back when you need to, lean on friends and family for help and support, and don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and ask for help. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress, but remember that your wedding day is about celebrating love, commitment, and the start of your life together.

Last but not least, trust your vendors. They are experts at what they do. Allow their expertise to guide and create the wedding of your dreams!

Looking for a wedding photographer? I’d love to connect and hear all about your vision!