Congratulations—you’re getting married!
The excitement in the beginning is unmatched: the ring, the celebrations, the dream of what’s to come. But once that initial joy settles, reality hits… you actually have to plan one of the most important days of your life. Now what?
One of my favorite first steps to recommend to clients is this: create a mood board. Gather any and all ideas you have for your wedding—colors, themes, venues, dresses, flowers, photos, vibes, and anything else that inspires you. Don’t overthink it, just collect what resonates.
Once you’ve gathered your vision, take a moment to reflect realistically on your time and capacity. Ask yourself:
- How much time can I truly commit to planning?
- What am I confident doing myself?
- What will I need help with?
- Do I want someone with me every step of the way or just on the day-of?
This is where wedding planning services come into play: day-of coordination, month-of management, partial planning, or full service. Begin thinking about what kind of support will best serve you and then start your planner search.
The sooner you bring a planner on board, the more they can help shape and guide your vision, and the smoother the planning process will be.
When looking for a planner, it’s essential that you not only find someone whose services align with your needs, but someone you genuinely connect with. Planning a wedding involves deep communication, vulnerability, and shared decision-making. It can span anywhere from several months to a few years, depending on your timeline.
You deserve a planner who understands your vision, shares your values, and makes you feel seen, heard, and supported.
At the same time, you’ll want to begin your venue search, as venues tend to book farthest in advance and set the tone for every other detail.
Your venue determines your date, your location, and your guest experience.
It also impacts your guest count, so keep this in mind:
- If you’ve chosen your venue, that may dictate your max guest count.
- If your guest list is non-negotiable, use that number to narrow your venue options.
- Either way, securing your venue early creates a strong foundation for everything that follows.
Those are the first three steps to set you up for a successful wedding planning journey!
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER…
If it ever starts to feel like too much, please know I’m always just an email away. It would be my honor to help bring your vision to life and make the process feel lighter, clearer, and more fun.
And finally, if you take one thing from this guide series, let it be this: Your wedding day is meant to be one of the most meaningful days of your life, no one else’s. Make choices that will make you smile when you look back. That’s what matters most.
You’ve got this.