How to Plan a Wedding: for the Newly Engaged
How to Plan a Wedding
for Newly Engaged Couples
AHHHH! Congratu-freaking-lations! You’re engaged to the love of your life! I literally couldn’t be more ecstatic for you! And while you should definitely take some time to celebrate, when you’re ready—I’ve comprised this helpful list of how to get started planning your wedding!
Wedding Planning Timetable
Overwhelmed by the fact that every single person is asking you what your wedding date is? Take a deep breath and think of this way. Select a venue, photographer, and any other things that you consider to be non-negotiable aspects of your wedding date and make sure you select a date that they are available. That will help you narrow it down! Then, know this, the average engagement lasts 15 months and make sure you consider things like season, any major holidays or family events that you’d like to avoid conflict with, and take your best guess of how long you’ll need to plan.
Find Your Wedding Vision
Before you try on a dress, purchase a centerpiece or EVEN BOOK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER… you should decide on your wedding day vision. Do you want things to be dark and romantic and candlelit or do you want things to be bright and fresh and airy. Those are COMPLETELY different vibes and the venue, photographer, and even your decor are going to play into what that final result looks like. And don’t just look at Pinterest for Inspiration. A lot of times inspiration can come from a cell phone wallpaper, a cute coffee cup at the store, a scene from your favorite movie or even a family heirloom! Bottom line: keep your eyes peeled for inspiration and make sure that the venue and photographer you pick matches that.
Budget
I know talking about money sucks! But it has to be done! So take some time to sit down with your families and figure out how much everyone is contributing to your wedding. This number is going to affect your decision about how to plan your wedding and the purchases you make. Check out The Knot’s Budget Calculator.
General Guest List Idea
You’ll want to sit down with everyone involved and come up with a general idea of how many people the guest list will consist of. Again, this is going to contribute to what venue decide and even the budget you decide to give to things like catering, etc.
Consider a Wedding Planner
Odds are, you’re super busy! So, don’t feel like a full-time wedding planner is out of the question! They are so helpful when it comes to preparing for the entire event from the engagement party until the honeymoon. And, know there are options! If a full-time planner isn’t in your budget, they have part-time consultants and even day-of coordinators to help you!
Book a Venue (and set your Date)
Keep in mind that your ceremony and reception venue is going to be the backdrop for MAJORITY of your wedding photos and can influence everything from your budget to your guest list to your menu.
Now, I’m going to be honest with you and tell you something a lot of other people won’t. The venue in which you choose to get married matters A LOT! Everyone likes to say, "hire a good photographer, they will get good pictures no matter what your wedding looks like."
And can I just say, while I will get high quality, beautiful images in any venue... they won't necessary look like the style you see on my website BASED ON WHAT YOU CHOOSE.
I am a bright and airy photographer... which means that I like bright and airy places. White Walls, no colored uplighting, lots of natural light, and light muted tones. Dark and moody photographers like venues that are just that... dark and moody. They like bold colors, moody lighting, dark brick and dark wood, anything with lots of contrast.
So when you pick your venue or your photographer, remember this, THEY MUST MATCH! You will get more consistent images from start to finish in your gallery if you choose a ceremony and reception venue that caters to the needs of your photographer in regards to looks.
Picture #1-3: Bright & Airy Venues
Picture #4: Why I don't like uplighting 😂😂😂
Pictures #5: Dark and Moody Venues
BRIGHT AND AIRY VENUES
WHY I HATE UPLIGHTING
DARK AND MOODY VENUE
Photographer
I’m typically hired 18-24 months out. So make sure you snag up the photographer you want sooner rather than later. When it comes to a photographer, make sure you meet with them in-person or via Skype or FaceTime. You are going to spend more time with this person than any other on your wedding day… even your fiance! So make sure that you don’t just LOVE their work but that you get along with them as a person too! Two of my favorite compliments I’ve ever received are these:
“Man I wish you were our Wedding Photographer” (from a real client during their maternity session). I like to offer my brides a stress-free experience so they have the chance to truly soak in and remember every aspect of their wedding day. He told me his wedding photographer tried to save time (a.k.a. save them money) but ended up being a Drill Sargent the entire day and it affected everyone’s moods.
“I would’ve done this for fun” (from a real client after an engagement session). I don’t know a man in the world who enjoys pictures and this guy was the same. But after their time with me he said he literally would’ve done this for fun! During our session we laughed so hard the bride-to-be actually cried! It was incredible!
Best wishes friends!