I’m Engaged! Now What?
Everything You Need to Know to Kick Off Your Wedding Planning Journey
Woooohoo! You just got engaged, and you’re walking on cloud nine, only to be knocked back down to earth again when you start wedding planning and realize you honestly have no clue how to do this thing. The more you learn, the more questions you have–How do I make a wedding day timeline? What exactly is black tie attire? Where the heck do I even start?
Whether you’re dreaming of a whimsical forest ceremony, an art gallery cocktail party, or a backyard bash with your favorite food truck, this article is for you!
Step One: Dream Big!
The first part of the planning process can be equally as exciting as spreading the word about your engagement–it’s all about creating the big picture. Reflect on who you and your partner are, your shared interests and values, and how you can infuse these things into your wedding day. If you’re both quiet homebodies who don’t dance or sunrise-chasing backpackers, you may want to consider alternative wedding choices like an adventure elopement with only you and your photographer or an intimate wedding in your favorite city neighborhood with board games instead of dancing. The sky is truly the limit here, so don’t be bound by archaic traditions that don’t speak to you.
That said, being in touch with current trends can help narrow down what you do and don’t want, so feel free to hop on social media to get a taste of what others are currently doing. Instagram is a treasure trove of wedding photography, and there’s no shortage of wedding groups on Facebook that can help you start your planning process. Another favorite resource for my couples is Offbeat Wed, where you can find ideas from couples who elected to have a wedding outside the status quo. Once you have some ideas, start a Pinterest board. Load it full of all the photos and ideas that speak to you, and you’ll begin to see some common threads.
From this, newly engaged couples can start thinking about the smaller details. Pick a time of year and begin to narrow down possible venue ideas and the style of photography you might want, all of which will come in handy for the next step. Make sure to check out sample budgets online to set realistic expectations. Before moving to the next stage, you’ll also want a general idea of how many people you’d like to invite.
Step Two: Choose Your Venue
After engaged couples discuss the big picture and the basics, it’s time to start building your vendor team. There are a few vendors you’ll want to hire first because they typically book out months or even years in advance, and there’s nothing worse than having to go with your last choices because your top picks aren’t available.
Choosing your venue is typically the first–and most expensive–decision you’ll have to make. You can expect your venue and catering to take up to 50% of your budget. Some great questions to ask your venue before booking are minimum and maximum guest count and whether they book multiple weddings to happen on the same day. Be sure to visit your top venue picks in person before booking–they don’t always match up to what photos can depict. It’s crucial to nail down your venue first since most other vendors you hire will need to know your venue and wedding date to confirm their availability and whether you’re within their service range. This article from Brides magazine can give you even more information to guide you in the right direction when considering potential venues.
Step Three: Book Your Wedding Photographer
After you choose a venue and date, it’s time to book your photographer! Choosing a photographer is a VERY personal decision. You won’t get to keep much from your wedding except your partner and your memories, so carefully selecting the person you trust to capture those memories is a big deal.
This might sound wild, but you’ll likely spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than with the person you’re marrying, so you’ll want to make sure you vibe well with your photographer. A face-to-face meeting or video chat is an absolute must to ensure you can ask questions and get a feel for the person who will be immortalizing one of the biggest days of your life. Remember to request full galleries and review each photographer’s portfolio before choosing your wedding photographer.
You’ll also want to make sure you like the feel of their photos, including how they pose their couples and their shooting and editing style. If you’re looking for perfectly posed photos, you won’t want to hire a nontraditional photographer, and vice versa. The end result of a photo depends on how it’s taken, so your photographer won’t be able to transform your moody, shadow-filled images into any other style if you change your mind about the editing style after booking.
Securing your photographer earlier than later is also a great way to ensure you have enough time to plan and execute your engagement session and get the photos back in time to post on your wedding website, make announcements, and print for your invitations or wedding decor. Remember that your photographer will take up about 10% of your budget.
Optional Life Hack: Hire a Wedding Planner
If all of the above seems too daunting to handle right off the bat, consider hiring a wedding planner who can help give you vendor recommendations and guidance along the way. This can be especially helpful for newly engaged couples who want to break the mold of a traditional wedding and instead opt for alternative and unique vendors. It’s easy to find vendors who appeal to the masses, but when you’re looking for a niche favor for guests, you might only know that experiences like live-sewn portraits or offering tarot readings are an option if you have a pro recommended them to you.
Step Four: Take a Break and Focus on Fun!
After your biggest decisions are out of the way, engaged couples can focus on what’s most important–ENJOYING being engaged. Feel free to take a break from your wedding planning and do the rest little by little. The feeling you get when all your ideas start coming together to form a cohesive experience is incredible! This is your chance to celebrate with alternative or nontraditional wedding vendors, with lots of personal touches and nods to inside jokes with your engaged second half. You can infuse as much of your personality into your day as you want. Just a few personal touches can elevate your wedding to unforgettable! Remember that it’s YOUR day, and you can spend it doing whatever you want. Your wedding should be as unique and unconventional as your relationship.
Let’s Create Something Magical
At Bee Brook Photography, I live to capture love stories that break the mold. If you’re planning an alternative, creative wedding packed with fun and personality, I’m here to document every authentic moment. From the quiet, emotional exchanges to the wild dance-floor antics, I’ll make sure your day is as unforgettable in photos as it is in real life so you can relive your wedding day again and again.
Reach out today—I’d love to help you bring your one-of-a-kind wedding vision to life!
