How to Start Planning Your Wedding: 5 Essential First Steps

Louisa Ruth
Jan 6
4 min read

Updated: Jul 5

So You’re Planning Your Wedding… Start Here!

Congratulations! You’re engaged and ready to start planning one of the most exciting days of your life. But where do you even begin? Wedding planning can feel overwhelming, but as a wedding planner, you can trust us when we say starting with these five steps will be essential for you success.

how to start wedding planning invitation and decorations

1. Set Your Budget

Before you dive into Pinterest boards and dress appointments, sit down with your partner and have an honest discussion about your budget. This step might not be the most glamorous, but it’s crucial.

Determine what’s realistic for your finances, and don’t forget to account for unexpected expenses (they happen more often than you’d think). Remember: while weddings are magical, they aren’t worth financial stress. Once your budget is set, commit to sticking to it, it’ll save you a lot of headaches later.

This step will be the jumping off point for every decision you'll make on the rest of your wedding planning journey. Date, vendors and planning your priorities will be impacted by your budget, so knowing your budget will help you be strategic in how to starting wedding planning.

2. Choose Your Date

Without a set date, locking down your venue and vendors is nearly impossible. Popular dates can book up months (or even years) in advance, so the sooner you choose, the better!

There are many considerations for choosing a wedding date, think about factors like the season, weather, and any significant dates that might hold meaning for you. Whether it’s a sunny summer celebration or a cozy winter wedding, having a date gives you a timeline to work with and brings you one step closer to making your vision a reality. We always recommend planning sooner than later, with most couples starting wedding planning at least one year out from their chosen date.

3. Determine Your Guest List

Who’s coming to the wedding? Even if it’s just a rough estimate, having an idea of your guest count will shape almost every aspect of your planning process.

More guests mean a larger venue, more tables and chairs, additional meals, and a bigger budget overall. On the flip side, an intimate guest list can open the door to smaller, more unique venues and personalized touches.

Knowing your numbers early helps you get accurate quotes from vendors and ensures you’re planning within your means. If your budget is on the tighter side, a smaller guest list can get your more for a variety of areas of your wedding like decor, food or photography. Where a larger guest list with the same budget, might require some items to be cut or some compromise, like plated vs buffet meal service.

4. Hire a Planner or Coordinator

Think of your wedding planner or coordinator as your personal wedding guru, they’ll guide you through the process, keep you on track, and advocate for your vision.

While friends and family are wonderful, they often have their own opinions (and might not see the big picture). A professional, however, brings expertise, organization, and a calm presence to keep things running smoothly.

Whether you need full-service planning or just someone to help on the day-of, investing in a planner is always a good idea. Many wedding planners (including myself) offer a variety of wedding planning packages that will work for most budgets, and booking a planner can end up saving you money in the long run.

5. Identify Your Priorities

What’s most important to you and your partner? Beyond the venue, what elements of the day matter most? Is it the food? The DJ who will keep everyone on the dance floor? The lush florals and dreamy décor?

Whatever it is, prioritize your budget and energy accordingly. When you know what you value most, you can allocate resources to those areas and make compromises elsewhere without feeling like you’re missing out. This is where having a wedding planner can be particularly beneficial, as they can guide you to vendors who meet your needs, wants and budget.

How to Starting Wedding Planning...

Wedding planning is a journey, but with these five steps, you’ll be off to a strong start. Remember to enjoy the process and keep the focus on celebrating your love, it’s what the day is all about! The only opinion's that matter are yours and your partners. No pinterest board tells the full picture. No one is you, and being you is the best thing you can do when planning your wedding day.

Louisa Molloy wedding planner in photography studio posing with laptop open

GTA, Ontario Wedding Planner

Nice to meet you! I'm Louisa Molloy, wedding planner and owner of Always Golden Strategy.

I specialize in creating stress-free and beautifully organized weddings for couples throughout the GTA, Durham Region, and beyond. Whether it’s a cozy celebration or a grand affair, my mission is to make every wedding as memorable and unique as the love story behind it.

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! From full planning packages to day of coordination and custom design services, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to turn your vision into reality? Check out my wedding planning services here.

If you're looking for more helpful recommendations or support with planning your dream wedding day - reach out to us to setup a complimentary consultation call.