Where to Start When Planning Your Wedding

Being newly engaged is exciting, fun, but also a bit overwhelming. If you’ve never planned a Wedding before, you’re probably wondering, where should I START? While most Couples have a general idea of what they’d like to do for their big day, figuring out how to make that dream a reality can be difficult. Here are some tips to help you start your planning off in the right direction:

Photo Cred: The DeLauras Photography

Step 1: Start Off Slow

In the excitement & thrill of being engaged, oftentimes Couples will jump the gun (so to speak) and dive in all at once. For example, this could be creating & asking the Wedding Party, jumping into venue tours and spending hours combing through Pinterest, pinning every photo. 

Let me tell you, THIS is where stress & overwhelm will eventually set in. By slowing the process a little, you’re able to weigh many options to ensure you’re making the best decisions for the two of you. 

PS! I never recommend asking your Wedding Party until you officially have booked your venue, have your date set and budget in place. Remember, a larger Wedding Party means more money for both you and those you are asking; so be thoughtful in the responsibilities you are asking of them. 

Photo Cred: Judy & Gavin

Step 2: Hire a Wedding Planner

So, I’m biased on this, but THIS is where us Wedding Planners shine. First of all, it’s never too late to hire a Wedding Planner… Well maybe the morning of might be a little too late, but by hiring an experienced Wedding Planner early, they will do the following:

1. Help you narrow down your wants vs. your needs

2. Find the perfect venue

3. Create a budget and Help you save money & stretch your budget as you book potential vendors

4. Guide you through the overall process to ensure your wedding day is not only smooth, but personalized to the two of you. 

Photo Cred: Lisa Lorene

Step 3: Put it On Paper

It’s always fun to plan your dream wedding, until you start to see the costs add up. The fact is, you have a budget and that budget needs to be realistic. Putting it on paper means-

1. What you can realistically afford

2. What style/aesthetic of the Wedding you’d like to have

3. How many guests you will be expecting

This will help you really narrow down the types of venues and vendors you’ll be able to hire. 

Photo Cred: Green Chameleon

Step 4: Venue Search

You can find the Top 10 Tips for Finding Your Ideal Venue in an earlier Blog post! This is a great resource for when you’re ready to start searching!

Photo Cred: Lisa Lorene

Step 5: Hire Your Main Vendors

Especially right now, it’s a busy time for the Wedding Industry. Hiring your major Wedding Vendors early will be key. While there is no real order you MUST hire your vendors in, by prioritizing your Main Vendors first, you’re ensuring you will be able to find the perfect fit.

I recommend hiring in this order:

1. Wedding Planner

2. Venue

3. Catering (if not included with the venue)

4. Photographer

5. DJ or Band

6. Invitations/Stationary (Save the Dates into Invitations)

7. Major Rentals (if not included with the venue)

8. Florals

9. Videographer (this might be earlier in the process if it’s a must-have for you!)

10. Cake and Desserts

11. Fun added bonuses such as Photobooth, Favors, Attire, etc. 

Remember! If you are Wedding Dress Shopping this should start 10 months prior and should be purchased no later than 6 months prior for alterations and ordering. 

Photo Cred: Charisse Kenion

Vendor Comparison Tip:

I always recommend speaking with 3 vendors at a time and having them write up a proposal for comparison. See how you feel about their costs, overall personality and experience level. Once you’ve chosen a vendor to hire, remember to be kind to those you have decided not to go with and send them a Thank You decline letter. Ghosting or not responding often happens in the industry and a simple “thank you but we’ve gone a different route”, is always appreciated!

And there you have it!

5 simple steps to get your wedding planning started. From being in this industry for 20 years, I know that starting the wedding planning process isn’t always easy, but I think these will absolutely get you started. And I am always available to reach out to via email: jamison@jamisonevents.com 

Have a Wonderful Day,

Jamison