You’ve just gotten engaged. The euphoria of those first few hours gradually gives way to a question that inevitably pops up: where do we even start? The internet is full of advice, your loved ones all have their own opinions, and you feel like everything needs to be done right away.
Good news: there’s a logical process to planning a wedding. And when you follow a certain order, everything goes much more smoothly. Here are the first 10 steps to take, in this order.
The key steps
It all starts with two fundamental decisions to take together: an approximate timeframe and an initial budget. These two factors are inextricably linked: the date determines the budget, and the budget determines the date.
At the same time, start to list your key guests to get an idea of the total number of guests you'll be hosting, since that number directly determines the size of the venue you'll need to find.
Next comes finding a venue for the reception, the most crucial step in the entire planning process. Take the time to visit several venues before making your decision, and once you’ve found the one you love, book it right away. The best venues get booked up quickly—sometimes 18 to 24 months in advance.
Right after that, secure your essential service providers : caterers, photographers, DJs, and bands are often fully booked long before most couples even start looking for them.
Once you've laid this foundation, you can focus on the heart of your wedding: define the style and atmosphere whatever style you want. Elegant, bohemian, rustic, festive? This vision will guide all your aesthetic choices moving forward—flowers, stationery, decorations, and outfits.
At the same time, set up your organizational system : a physical binder or a digital folder where everything is centralized. Quotes, contacts, contracts, ideas… all in one place. Gather your sources of inspiration as well as you go along: a mood board, photos you’ve collected on Pinterest or Instagram, details that caught your eye at other weddings. These references will be invaluable when the time comes to brief your vendors.
The final steps of this launch involve your guests: start thinking about the logistics, accommodations, shuttle services, and the weekend schedule if you're planning to celebrate for several days. And start thinking now about how to coordinate the big day : who will take the reins while you enjoy every moment? A wedding planner, a master of ceremonies, or a trusted loved one? This is a decision that should be made early on, not in the rush of the final weeks.