{"id":78520,"date":"2022-09-14T08:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/?p=78520"},"modified":"2022-09-14T08:01:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T15:01:02","slug":"where-to-start-when-wedding-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/withjoy.com\/blog\/where-to-start-when-wedding-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Start When Wedding Planning: 12 Things to Do First"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting married is the beginning of an exciting new adventure. A celebration of two people coming together to spend the rest of their lives together? Well, it doesn\u2019t get much sweeter than that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the engagement, but before the \u201cI dos,\u201d you\u2019ll need to start wedding planning. Think of it as creating your roadmap for the journey you\u2019re about to embark on together. Many newly engaged couples may find this time overwhelming, but it doesn\u2019t need to be that way! This quick guide will give you step-by-step instructions for the first few months following your engagement, including where to start when planning a wedding and how to ensure the planning process brings you and your partner closer (without stressing you out!) as you approach the big day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make the Big Decisions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t one right way to go about planning a wedding or a magic order to do things that will suddenly make wedding planning a breeze, but this roadmap lays the groundwork for a great start. Want to take care of step three before step two? No worries! As long as you get everything done on your list before the big day, you can go in whatever order makes you feel best. In these early months, it\u2019s all about setting yourself up for success \u2014 these are the biggest to-do items on your wedding planning checklist. Making these decisions early will give you plenty of time down the line to linger over the details and avoid any last-minute planning headaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Get on the same page as your partner. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most important step in the wedding planning process is aligning your wedding ideas with your partner\u2019s. Will it be a big or small wedding? A DIY backyard celebration<\/a>? Or maybe a destination wedding<\/a> is more your style? Before you dive into the details, have one (or a dozen!) conversations about what the perfect wedding looks like for each of you. That way, you can both be sure you\u2019re on the same page for every other step of the wedding planning journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Select some dates. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chances are you won\u2019t be able to pick your exact wedding date until after you\u2019ve selected the ceremony and reception venue, but it\u2019s important to have some dates in mind. Spring wedding? Fall wedding? Having a date range will help lay the groundwork for the rest of the process. And remember, 12 to 15 months of lead time is ideal for ensuring all your vendors are available and have enough time to bring your dream wedding to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Set a budget. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a big one. Having an idea of how much (or how little!) you\u2019d like to spend on your wedding will be the determining factor for a lot of what comes next on this list. A wedding budget is a great way to guide decisions about nice-to-haves versus need-to-haves. Plus, being on the same financial page as your partner at the beginning will ensure you\u2019re both happy after the florist and caterer have paid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Pick a wedding venue. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have a budget and a few dates in mind, you can pick the perfect spot to say \u201cI do.\u201d Where you get married should first and foremost feel like the right place to start your life as newlyweds, but remember, wherever you pick will have implications for the rest of the wedding day. The venue\u2019s aesthetic should fit with your overall wedding style, whether that\u2019s rustic-chic, modern glam or something in between. And, logistically, you can\u2019t pack 200 people into a venue that will only hold 75, so keep that in mind as well. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Get Organized<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you have the major decisions locked, you can spend some time getting organized . If you haven\u2019t hired a wedding planner<\/a> yet, this is a great time to decide if you need additional help bringing your vision to life. A planner will be able to provide you with some wedding inspiration, ensure you stay on budget and help manage some of the nitty-gritty details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Make a wedding guest list. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a venue booked and an idea of how many people you can fit, it\u2019s time to decide who those people will be! Your wedding guest list should include all the people you want to surround you as you start this exciting adventure. Close friends, family members \u2014 the people you love and who have been with both of you since the beginning. If your third cousin twice removed who you\u2019ve never even met doesn\u2019t make the cut, don\u2019t feel bad. This is the time to be a little selfish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Pick your wedding party. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choosing your wedding party is one of the best parts of wedding planning because you get to invite your favorite people to be part of your big day. Don\u2019t let this list stress you out. Just think about who you most want to be part of your wedding ceremony and let them know in a heartfelt or creative way. Have fun with it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Get your vendors in order. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wedding vendors are often in high demand, so make sure you book them well in advance. Want a florist? A specific wedding photographer or videographer? Need rentals? Food? Start reaching out to key vendors early to make sure you have the best wedding team possible and that your guests have a great time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. Work your way through some wedding checklist items. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While some things, like obtaining your marriage license and creating a seating chart, are time-sensitive and need to be done closer to your wedding ceremony, there are a handful of detailed tasks you can start now. Get these items out of the way early to help keep stress levels down as you approach your \u201cI dos.\u201d Here they are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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