How to begin wedding planning

So you just got engaged, first off, congratulations!! I am so excited for you and this next chapter in your lives!

And now it begins. But you may be thinking, where in the world do I even begin wedding planning?! That’s totally understandable, you’ve never done this before! There is a lot that goes into planning a wedding. Luckily, I am here to help you get started. Keep reading for my first three steps to take when beginning wedding planning.

Gather Ideas

The first step is to start gathering ideas and build your vision for your wedding day. Here’s your chance to revisit all those Pinterest boards you’ve been filling since middle school.

Things to consider:

How do you want to feel?

How do you want your guests to feel?

Time of year – do you want a fall wedding? a spring wedding?

Theme – boho, rustic elegance, black tie, vintage inspired, etc.

Color palette

Indoor or outdoor

Destination or local

Before you can start booking anything you want to have a clear vision for the day. This will help guide all of your decisions from the venue to the flowers and your dress.

Create a Budget and Guest List

Now that you have a vision and feel you are ready to start booking your vendors, hold off for just a little bit longer! There are two things you’ll want to do before you start paying deposits and signing contracts.

1. Create your budget

   Having a budget (and a vision) before you start booking anything will help guide your decisions. Weddings can get expensive quickly if you aren’t careful. Having a budget will help keep things manageable. After all, you don’t want to start your marriage going into debt! Click here for my tips on how to create a wedding budget.

2. Build your guest list

   Now I know this may feel a little premature, but hear me out. Venues have specific guest capacities so having an idea of your number of guests will help narrow your venue search. It will also help you stay on budget. You may have to give yourself a little reality check that your uncle’s second cousin’s on and off again boyfriend probably doesn’t need to be on the guest list.

Book Your Venue

Now that you have a budget and guest count you are ready to start touring venues! Your venue should go along with the vision you have for the wedding day. If you are planning a black tie affair, a rustic farmhouse is probably not where you want to be looking. A few things to keep in mind when touring venues are:

1. Does it fit your budget and guest count. If the venue doesn’t fit either of these, I would recommend not even touring it!
2. What is included in the rental including time at the venue, tables, chairs, etc.

3. Proximity of nearby hotels if you have a lot of guests traveling

4. If you are planning and outdoor event, what is the plan if there is inclement weather?

Now that you have a date and venue you can start booking other vendors. Click here to download my wedding planning timeline that you can use to make sure you check everything off your list!

Don’t be afraid to drop me a comment if you have any questions as you get started planning your big day!

If you’re a couple reading this I’d love to chat with you about your wedding day! Please feel free to reach out.

Nicole Simensky Photography is a wedding photographer for the kind hearted, sophisticated couple with an edge. Here to put you at ease, have you laughing, and capture timeless photos for you to enjoy for a lifetime. Nicole Simensky Photography serves Towson, Baltimore, Maryland and beyond.