Wedding Planning Tips to Get You Started
Photo: Pat Partridge
Just got engaged? First of all, congratulations!!! Now take a deep breath. If you’re feeling excited, slightly overwhelmed, and already 14 tabs deep into Pinterest… you’re doing it right!
As professional wedding planners, we see the same thing happen over and over again: couples jump straight into details before laying the groundwork. The good news? A few smart decisions early on can make the entire planning process smoother, calmer, and way more enjoyable.
Here are our wedding-planner–approved tips to get you started, minus the chaos.
Start With Priorities
Before venues, colour palettes, or Pinterest boards take over your life, pause and check in with each other. Talk about what truly matters to you as a couple before the details start piling up.
Ask yourselves:
Are we big into décor and design?
Is incredible food a non-negotiable?
Do we care more about a live band than anything else?
Is an open bar a must-have?
At the end of the day… what do we really care about?
Getting clear on this early will guide every decision that follows, from how you allocate your budget to which suppliers you prioritise and makes planning feel a whole lot easier.
2. Decide What You Want to Spend (Not Just What You Can)
One of the biggest wedding planning misconceptions? That your budget is about spending the absolute maximum you can afford.
Instead, decide how much you want to spend and feel comfortable with—within reason of what weddings actually cost (spoiler alert: they’re not cheap). Setting this number early gives you clarity and control from the start.
Once you’ve got that figure, make sure to:
Break your budget down by category
Leave a buffer for unexpected costs (because they will happen)
Have honest conversations early if family or others are contributing
Clear expectations now mean fewer awkward money conversations later and a much smoother planning experience overall.
3. Guest Count Matters
Before booking anything, get realistic about your guest list.
Your guest count impacts:
Venue options
Layouts and floor plans
Timings and flow of the day
Catering costs
Your overall budget
Locking in a realistic number early will save you from major planning headaches down the line.
4. Get Organised Early
Organisation is a total game changer when it comes to wedding planning.
Putting simple systems in place early will save you time, stress, and countless “where did that email go?” moments later on. We always suggest starting with:
A dedicated wedding email address
Shared folders for contracts, invoices, and inspiration
Spreadsheets or planning tools to track your budget, vendors, and timelines
A little structure at the beginning keeps everything running smoothly once planning really picks up. And if you need help getting organised, we’ve got you covered, our budget trackers, venue-hunting spreadsheets, and full-on wedding binders are designed to keep everything in one place!
5. Set Boundaries
Here’s your friendly reminder: you don’t need to tell everyone everything.
While excitement is high, sharing too many details too soon can invite opinions you didn’t ask for. Decide:
Who needs to know what
When to share updates
How to protect your vision (and your peace)
Boundaries are part of healthy wedding planning.
Getting started with wedding planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Focus on the big-picture decisions first, stay organised, and give yourselves permission to actually enjoy the process.
You’ve got this and we’re cheering you on every step of the way. 🥂
Looking for on-the-day coordination, extra support, or ready to start planning? Enquire here.