The first 5 steps to planning your wedding

Congrats – you’re engaged! After the initial excitement and buzz wears off, you may be wondering: OK, where the heck do I start in the wedding planning process? Fear not, because this article will give you a running start.

Hey! Leanne here – Bay Area Wedding Planner. I began my wedding planning business when I planned my own wedding in 2016. I felt so overwhelmed at the time, I remember saying, “screw it all! I’m eloping!” and then my mom responded with, “hell no, you’re not!” So, we ended up getting married in Mexico on a 5-day cruise with 65 of our favorite people. It was the best week of my life and I discovered my life’s passion – planning weddings.

Now, I’m almost fully booked for 2023 and have close to 100 weddings under my belt. I want you to feel empowered and at ease when it comes to planning your wedding – so here’s five steps to get the wedding planning process going.

#1 Set a Budget

First thing’s first – who’s financing this shindig? Is it you and your fiancé? Are parents helping? The numbers don’t lie so it’s important to set this boundary in advance. Ask yourself what you’re WILLING to spend vs. what you WANT to spend. What you decide initially doesn’t have to be set in stone – you can come back and adjust it at any time.

A Bride and Groom kiss on their wedding day, as they walk down the aisle at Sunol's Casa Bella. The Bride has her bouquet in the air. — **#2 Figure Out Your Expectations**

When you close your eyes and envision your perfect wedding, what do you see? White linen tablecloths? A food truck? A rock n’ roll band? Figure out what’s important to you and your fiancé. Write down your non-negotiables *and* the things you don’t care as much about to prioritize your ‘musts’.

#3 Create a Guest List

Without thinking too much about it – sit down and write out all the people you would like to have at your wedding. Remember, every guest will need a chair to sit on and food to eat. A $50,000 budget with 100 people in Napa will work. A $25,000 budget with 200 people in Monterey will not work. In this initial stage, your budget, expectation and guest list will have to toggle in order to set a solid foundation.

#4 Be Methodical About Choosing Your Venue

Just like with any big commitment: buying a house, starting a new job, or joining forces with a new business partner – do not sign on the dotted line at the first venue you see. I promise the venue will be there tomorrow! There are SO many factors that go into picking a venue: the day of the week, holidays, peak season, off season, and food and beverage minimums. For instance, if you’re booking your wedding in February, keep in mind the Super Bowl: it isn’t announced until football season starts, so even if your honey’s team isn’t in the game, don’t put your deposit down until you know it’s not the same day! When it comes to booking – it’s better to take it slow!