Congratulations on your engagement! This is one of the most exciting milestones in your life, so take a moment to celebrate the joy and excitement. Whether your proposal just happened or you’ve been staring at your newest accessory for days, you may be wondering, “What’s next?”

The early days of engagement are magical, but they can also feel a bit overwhelming. This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to help you take the first steps in planning your dream wedding. From setting your budget to starting your guest list, here’s everything you need to know to kick off this exciting chapter.

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Cherish the Moment Before Diving into Planning

First and foremost, take time to savor the experience. Getting engaged is a life-changing event, and you deserve to soak in the joy before the planning begins. Share the good news with your family and closest friends, enjoy the excitement of this new chapter, and don’t rush the process.

However, remember—the sooner you start planning, the smoother the process will be. A well-organized approach now means less stress down the road.

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Step 1: Discuss Your Budget and Priorities Together

A strong foundation for wedding planning starts with open and honest communication. Before reaching out to vendors or exploring venues:

Talk with Your Partner

• Discuss your vision for the wedding. Is it a romantic intimate affair or a grand celebration with hundreds of guests?
• Decide on your must-haves. For example, is speciality food or a destination wedding at the top of your list?

Pro Tip: Make individual lists of your wedding priorities—such as catering, photography, decor, etc.—then rank them in order of importance. Compare your lists and align on your shared top priorities. This step will ensure you’re on the same page before moving forward.

Engage Your Families in the Discussion

If your families plan to contribute financially, include them in a conversation about both the budget and their expectations. While such discussions can be tricky, transparency about finances from the get-go will prevent misunderstandings later.

Remember: Financial contributions sometimes come with opinions on how the money is spent. Make sure to set boundaries early and communicate clearly to balance contributions with your and your partner’s preferences.

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Step 2: Research Wedding Planners and Venues

Two of your most significant decisions will involve hiring a wedding planner and booking a venue. These choices will set the tone for many other elements of your wedding.

What to Look For in a Wedding Planner

• Personality Match: You’ll work closely with your planner, so ensure your personalities mesh well. Schedule a consultation call to determine compatibility.
• Experience: Look for planners who’ve managed events like yours and have connections with reputable vendors.
• Budget Fit: Ensure their service fees fit within your budget while still considering the value of their expertise.

What to Consider in a Venue

• Capacity: Will it comfortably accommodate your guest list?
• Style & Vibe: Does the venue match the look and feel you’re envisioning for your big day?
• Included Amenities: Does the venue provide tables, chairs, or decor, or will you need external rentals?
• Cost: Is it within budget when considering all associated expenses, such as vendor fees and setup?

Pro Tip: Use social media as a powerful research tool to plan your wedding. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are treasure troves of inspiration, from dreamy venue showcases to past-wedding reels that highlight décor, themes, and creative ideas. Follow vendor pages to see whose style matches your wedding day vision, and don’t hesitate to DM former brides for first-hand recommendations—they often have valuable insights about their experiences. Pinterest is perfect for curating mood boards and honing in on your ideal aesthetic, while TikTok offers behind-the-scenes content from couples and vendors, giving you a realistic view of what’s possible. Need a starting point? Check out our Instagram for inspo HERE or browse our Pinterest page for even more ideas!

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Step 3: Create a Preliminary Guest List

Before you finalize your venue or vendors, lay the groundwork by creating a preliminary guest list. The size of your guest list will have a major impact on key decisions like venue capacity, catering costs, and decor rentals.

Key Tips for Building Your List

• Begin with non-negotiables, like close family.
• Decide if you’d prefer a small, intimate gathering, a destination event or a large celebration.
• Divide your list into tiers, starting with “must-invite” guests. This gives you flexibility if adjustments are needed later.

Pro Tip: Keep your guest list aligned with your budget. Remember that a larger list will mean higher food and drink costs, as well as added expenses like rentals.

Lay a strong foundation by establishing what’s realistic as early as possible. Working within your means now will help avoid unexpected surprises later.

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Step 4: Start Allocating Your Budget

Now that you’ve discussed priorities and created a guest list, it’s time to refine your initial budget. Focus on areas that mean the most to you and allocate funds strategically. Here are some percentage guidelines to keep in mind:

• Venue & Catering: Typically 40-50% of your total budget.
• Photography & Videography: 10-15%.
• Decor & Florals: 10-15%.
• Attire (Dress, Suit, Accessories): 5-10%.
• Entertainment (Band/DJ): 5-10%.
• Contingency Fund: Reserve 5% of your budget for unexpected costs.

By assigning percentages, you’ll have a clearer picture of how much you can spend for each part of your wedding.

Pro Tip: Track all expenses in a spreadsheet or budgeting app to stay organized!

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Step 5: Make Your First Bookings

Once your planning foundation is laid, secure your two most critical vendors first:

1. Wedding Planner
2. Venue

These decisions are often the keys for locking in future vendors, like photographers and caterers. Popular venues and planners can book up over a year in advance, so act quickly once you’ve identified your top picks.

Pro Tip: Most vendors will offer consultations or walkthroughs—take advantage of these opportunities to compare options before deciding. The Venue Source is also a great resource for all things venue searching from California to across the globe. You can book your discovery call today to find the perfect venue for your wedding day.

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What Comes Next?

Congratulations! You’re well on your way to planning a wedding as unique and meaningful as your love story. Once you’ve nailed down your budget, guest list, and key vendors, you can start envisioning all the fun details, like color palettes, bridal party attire, and menu tasting.

Navigating this process might feel overwhelming at times, but just remember—you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to make your wedding planning seamless, schedule a discovery call with one of our expert planners today. Together, we’ll create a celebration tailored just for you with your vision in mind every step of the way.

Your dream wedding is just around the corner—so relax, enjoy the process, and savor every moment leading to your big day!