What First Steps Should I Take When Planning a Wedding?

The process of planning a wedding can be overwhelming. With so much to do, it can be difficult to decide where to start. But there are a few big steps you can take first in the wedding planning process that will help make other decisions easier, and allow everything to fall into place for your wedding day.

First and foremost, it’s important that we define what a wedding is. Yes – seriously. The definition of a wedding has gotten lost amidst the marketing of the wedding industry.The industry wants you to think you need extravagant details, designer gowns, and expensive décor in order to get married.

But here is the thing, you don’t! According to Merriam Webster, a wedding is simply defined as a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities. That definition leaves so much room for interpretation, so keep that in mind while you visualize your wedding. Your wedding does not have to be what Pinterest suggests, or include what bridal magazines declare to be the wedding trend of the season, or even what you parents say it should be. Your wedding is a marriage ceremony for you and your fiancé, and a celebration that fits your vision, intentions, and priorities.

But before you take any big steps in the actual planning process, it’s important to enjoy being engaged. Take time to just be present in the moment with your fiancé. Because for the next steps outlined in this article, we’re operating under the assumption that you have done that. Soak in the moment first! Reflect on your relationship and love story.

Then, walk through these steps to clearly define what your wedding is going to be. Be sure to keep reading to the end to get your free guide to defining your wedding vision and getting started on the right path.

1. Set Your Intentions and Define Your Vision

Sit down with your fiancé and have an open and honest discussion about what you are picturing for your wedding day. Getting on the same page from the beginning will help you plan a wedding that reflects your relationship, and gives you a reference point when the opinions of others start to come in. Having a strong vision as the end goal of your wedding planning process will guide you through each decision.

It also gives you a foundation for planning your wedding. You can look back at your vision as a reminder of what you are working towards, especially when you’ve fallen into a Pinterest trap, or are overwhelmed by the effectiveness of the marketing of the industry’s ideal wedding.

2. Establish Your Priorities

Once your vision is clear, it should be easy to establish what your priorities are that will make that vision a reality. Maybe the most important thing to you is that you get married at the place where you first met. Maybe it’s that your reception has to have a taco truck. Or maybe you just can’t imagine getting married without your entire family by your side. Knowing what is most important to you for your wedding day will determine everything from your spending plan to your venue, guest list, and more.

Establishing your priorities will also be immensely helpful when your friends or family are telling you what you should or should not add to your wedding day. You can better explain your priorities and vision when they are clearly defined, while still being conscientious of your family’s feelings.

3. Create a Blueprint for Your Wedding Day

Establishing your wedding vision and priorities will ensure that you are planning a wedding that keeps you and your relationship at its center. These will be part of your wedding day blueprint, which will lay the foundation for all of your planning. When you know what you want your wedding to look like, you will be able to see the steps you need to take to make it a reality.

To help you get started on the right path, the Planning Gathering’s Visions and Priorities Guide is currently available for free. Be sure to sign up below to receive it today.

You can also learn more about the Planning Gathering here.