From Dreams to Reality: Where to Begin Wedding Planning

Whether you are the person who grew up dreaming of their wedding or the person who never imagined tying the knot, wedding planning can be an overwhelming.  Where do you start?  The Knot says one thing, Zola says another and every Tik Toker says something totally different.  Well, guess what…we are probably going to say something different, too.  As seasoned wedding planners, these are our top 5 takes on where to start.

Take No. 1 – Start with your Guest List!

We know, this isn’t the sexy start you were thinking of, but, to us, it is the most important.  The reason being is that your guest list determines both your budget and your venue.  We aren’t saying it needs to be set in stone, but it should be a pretty good estimate.  Start with your family and close friends… then consider your additional guests based on your relationships with them.  

Take No. 2 – Next up, your Budget.

We aren’t going to lie, the budget can be one of the most stressful parts of the wedding planning process.  There are things that you never even heard of that you’re going to spending money on. Did someone say “cake cutting fee”?  One of the best ways to combat this stress is to set a realistic budget from the start.  Keep in mind, the budget isn’t just the venue, catering, florals, photography, etc.  It also includes wedding attire, rentals, jewelry, engagement pics, bridal party gifts…we could keep going, but you get the drift.

Setting a realistic budget means having conversations with anyone who will be contributing financially to the wedding.  After you’ve done this and you know your wedding budget, revisit your guest list.  The fastest way to overspend your budget is to invite more people than you can afford to.  If your budget and guest list aren’t in sync, this is the time to adjust the budget up or the guest list down.

Take No. 3 – Determine your Vision.

When you are deciding on a style and vision for your wedding, consider things like theme, overall atmosphere, formality, whether it’s a single location or multi-location event, and even the time of year.  Your vision will be your guide through the journey of wedding planning.  Doing it before you begin touring venues will help to narrow them down.  For example, if you want a tropical, colorful and sun-inspired wedding, then the ultramodern hotel ballroom isn’t going to be your vibe, but maybe the funky hotel with a terrace that overlooks the water will work for you.

Take No. 4 – Venues…

There is so much we can say about venues.  But now that you know your vision, the number of guests your venue needs to accommodate, and how much you have to spend, start your venue searches.  Our suggestion is to tour no more than 4 venues that meet all of your criteria.  

Take No. 5 – Organization is Key!

We aren’t saying you need to be as organized as Monica from Friends, but some level of organization is necessary to keep all the details together.  A wedding planner can make this easier, but if that’s not in your budget, here are some suggestions.  

• Create a wedding only email address for all things wedding and sort all your emails by vendor. (By the way, did you know that the average wedding has 14 vendors?!).  
• Download each contract you sign and don’t just leave them in the cloud.  You will refer to them often during the planning process and this keeps them easy to access.

Take No. 6 – Bonus!!

Remember, wedding planning is a journey.  Take time to enjoy the process and savor the special moments leading up to your special day!

From Dreams to Reality: Where to Begin Wedding Planning was written for educational purposes by our Fort Lauderdale wedding planners. We love being a resource for all couples and you can find more about us at our website. 

If you are looking for a planner, we would love to chat with you!! Consultations are complimentary and a great at any point in the planning process.  Schedule your consultation here.

Happy planning!