First Steps in Planning Your Dream Wedding

You are engaged! The moment has come for you to plan your dream wedding. Something that beautifully represents you and your fiance as individuals but also as a couple. It can be a LOT to think about. Having been involved in a quite a few weddings myself, I thought I would break down some key FIRST steps after you get engaged.

1. Celebrate.

Enjoy being engaged! Pop the champagne. Phone friends and family. Just bask in being engaged for 5 seconds before going nuts wedding planning. Being engaged is not just for the big day but a season of life that should be celebrated!

2. Budget

Choose a budget and stick with it. You do not want to start your marriage in a pile of debt. Ain't nobody got time for extra stress! Ask yourself what is realistic for you and your fiance, not necessarily what all the wedding blogs are telling you but what is worth it for you and your future spouse! 

Once you have a number in mind, prioritize what you want to spend money on. Personally, I would say that a photographer should be way up there! The photos you take on your wedding day are one of the only things you keep with you after the big day. I would also prioritize the venue because the setting of your day can either add pressure or make you feel more relaxed and at home.

3. Have a vision.

When I started planning my own wedding, I did not have the pressure or choice from Pinterest.. I wish! I know you have a board on there, secret or not, that is giving you a MILLION ideas. The board is full of little details that you think or cute or trending. Instead of looking at each pin, maybe look at the entire board and see what the general feel is from it. Have a vision for the big picture.

Maybe you don't care for Pinterest. You can start by writing down 5 adjectives or descriptors that you want your wedding to feel like. To describe my wedding, I would say joyful, romantic, relaxed, family orientated, and personal. 

From there, I would look at theme. I felt that having a theme gave me focus. Do you want a classic wedding theme like rustic and modern lines OR colour based OR maybe something much more out there like a shared interest between your fiance and yourself? The options are really endless but I think that narrowing them down with what fits your fiance and you is of course going to be the best fit. 

4. Guest List. 

No pressure but this is an important step and goes hand in hand with booking a venue because of the capacity of the venue you choose. This is also one of the hardest things to plan. Your guest list will determine a lot of other things that will aid in the planning process like food, favors, decor, rentals etc. Can I give you a suggestion? Do not let anyone pressure you into inviting certain people. I know the feeling but really, this is your day and your budget. More guests means more moola. 

In my humble opinion, your guest list should include people who would promise to walk along side you when you have things to celebrate and things to mourn. They are the people who will be there in hard times and times of great joy. Another rule of thumb is that if they do not know you as a couple, maybe think twice about putting them on your list. Everyone does this a little differently but really, I would stand firm on your guest list decisions.

5. Nab your preferred vendors. Before someone else does.

 Wedding vendors get picked up REALLY fast. Assuming you have chosen a date,  grab your venue and photographer quickly! These are the fastest to be picked up.

You got this.

These are only the first steps of the planning process BUT I think having these nailed down in your first month or two of being engaged will really simplify and focus your efforts for the rest of your planning. Don't get discouraged my friend and don't let the pressure get to you. Take it all one step at a time! You are going to have the best day!

If you ever have any questions, let me know and I will give you my best advice!