How to Kickstart Your Wedding Planning Journey: Essential First Steps After Getting Engaged

So, I'm going to be real with you. Whenever a friend gets engaged, it takes everything I have to resist the urge to call them up and share a laundry list of tasks they should tackle first. I want to create a wedding timeline for them, inquire if they've begun their wedding dress shopping adventure, offer advice on potential pitfalls to avoid, and strongly suggest hiring a wedding planner.

I have to admit, I'm simply obsessed with weddings, and I want nothing more than for everyone to have the most incredible wedding day. BUT rather than overwhelming my newly engaged friends with unsolicited advice, I opt for a more considerate approach. I congratulate them and let them know I'm here to answer any wedding-related questions they might have.

More often than not, people don't fully understand what my job as a full service wedding planner in Alaska entails. They often assume it involves showing up at weddings, setting up guest tables, and taking behind-the-scenes videos.

So, where am I going with all of this? Where does one begin when it comes to planning their wedding once engaged?

Well, for many, the moment of engagement signals a flurry of activity—buying bridal magazines, scrolling through wedding decor on Pinterest, following high-end florists on Instagram, and feeling the need to book and accomplish everything within the first week. Now, I'm not saying these are always misguided decisions. For instance, if you're planning a wedding on a tight schedule, a fast start might be necessary. However, most of the time, wedding planning resembles a winding road.

You'll have bursts of productivity for a few weeks, securing a couple of vendors and ticking off checklist items, and then you'll take a breather for a while. After that, you'll check a few more things off the list and take yet another break. This ebb and flow is all part of the journey, affectionately known as planning your wedding.

Now, let's return to the original point of this blog: my wedding advice on "Where do you really start with planning your wedding?" In my six years in the wedding industry, I've developed a practical and genuine perspective on what should be your initial steps after that engagement bling. However, before you dive into wedding planning, take a moment to savor this unique season of being engaged. You're only "newly engaged" once, so relish every moment of it. Soon, questions will start pouring in, and people will want to know all the details of your plans. This is precisely why you need this blog post for a little extra guidance.

Essentially, there are five essential tasks you need to tackle before anything else. These steps are interconnected, and you'll discover that they mostly happen simultaneously. Plus, they shouldn't take too long to decide on. These are the significant elements of the big picture.

 1: SET A BUDGET

Setting your wedding budget should be your top priority. This conversation can be challenging, but it's crucial to discuss and decide on your budget before proceeding. Questions to answer include who is contributing, the total budget, and any flexibility. Once these questions are resolved, you can move on to the next item on the list.

2: LIST YOUR PRIORITIES

While every aspect of your wedding seems important, it's essential to identify your top priorities. Make a list of the five most important aspects of your wedding. Whether it's an all-inclusive elopement package, a full-service wedding planner, the perfect venue, stunning flowers, or any other feature, knowing your priorities will guide your decisions.

 3: CHOOSE 2-3 POSSIBLE DATES

To ensure flexibility, select 2-3 ideal wedding dates. Consider factors like the desired season, your work schedule, holidays, sports events, and weather conditions. Create a list with your top preference and second and third choices. Having multiple options is useful in case your first choice isn't available. Keep your list of priorities in mind when choosing dates, especially if your top priority, such as a photographer, might be booked well in advance, Sometimes they book out over two years for weddings in Alaska.

4: START YOUR GUEST LIST

Compiling your guest list can be challenging, particularly if you're planning a larger wedding. While you might feel obligated to invite everyone you know, it's essential to keep it realistic. The number of guests you invite affects your budget and venue choice. Sketching out an estimated guest count early on is super important. Remember that this is a rough draft and can be adjusted as you progress through the planning process.

Let’s break it down: You want to have 180 guests. Your budget is $20,000. That means you will have $111 per guest to spend. That might sound like a lot but trust me, it goes fast. That beautiful wedding venue, in addition to the bougie wedding tablescape, stunning flowers, custom wedding dress and all your other vendors, that's not going to be close to $111 per guest. SO sketching out your guest list and having an estimated guest count early on is key. Don’t forget, this is just a rough draft, you can always change this as you move through the wedding planning process.

 5: DETERMINE YOUR WEDDING’S STYLE

This is where the fun begins! Maybe you have been dreaming about your wedding since you were little and know exactly what style you want, modern, classic, rustic, vintage, etc. there are sooo many different styles. Your wedding style typically determines what type of wedding decor you will feature as well as the smaller details. You don’t have to hone in on this immediately, but having a general idea will help with the overall process. It will also help when deciding on a venue…

6: PICK YOUR VENUE

Once you've completed the first five tasks, you can start researching and inquiring about potential venues. After deciding on the overall "vibe" of your wedding, contact venues for availability on your chosen dates. Schedule tours and visit each venue in person before making a decision. If you have several venues in mind, do the same for each. Give yourself a couple weeks to tour each of your potential wedding venues, think on it and then make a decision. Don’t wait too long, their are limited venue options for weddings in Alaska and they tend to book up father in advance than other states.

After completing these initial tasks, you'll have set a strong foundation for your wedding planning journey. You can now share your wedding date and venue with those eagerly awaiting the details.

My suggestions for what's next: Consider hiring a full-service wedding planner or a month-of wedding coordinator if your budget allows. Additionally, start researching photographers. For destination weddings in Alaska, hiring a local destination wedding planner is especially crucial due to the unique considerations of weddings in this beautiful region. Happy planning!