How to Plan A Wedding In 2025-2026 (First Steps)
This article is for you if you’re recently engaged and wondering where to start with your wedding planning journey.
Wedding planning does not have to be this super stressful process. If you follow the first recommended wedding planning tasks below, the rest will fall into place.
I have photographed over 500 weddings and created wedding timelines for most of those couples.
I have learned a lot over the past 10 years working in the wedding industry and would love to share my thoughts with the hope of making this process easier for you.
Here are the first four things I recommend you do after getting engaged:
***Related blog post: How to plan an engagement party
Figure Out Your Realistic Wedding Budget
Starting with a budget is one of the most important things you can do when planning a wedding.
It shows you how much you can spend and makes the planning process less stressful.
Here’s how to put a wedding budget together step by step (grab a pen and paper or your favorite note-taking app):
1. How much money do you already have saved?
Look at your current savings.
Write down how much you have that can go toward the wedding.
2. How much can you save each month?
Think about how much you and your partner can save each week or month.
The longer your engagement, the more you can save. This is why so many couples opt for an 18-24 month engagement.
Write down the total you can save each month.
3. Will anyone else contribute?
If plan on asking family for help, have those conversations early.
Figure out how much they can contribute or what they will pay for.
Write down these amounts too.
4. Add it all up
Add up your current savings, future savings, and family contributions.
This total is your maximum wedding budget (without going into debt).
5. How much do you want to spend?
Something to keep in mind is that just because you can spend a lot doesn’t mean you have to.
Decide together how much you’re comfortable spending on your wedding.
You might want to take some of that money and save it for a house or a longer honeymoon.
Now that you have a budget, you can start planning your wedding…figuring out what’s important, picking the date, guest list, and location!
Related blog post: How to make a wedding budget (for beginners)
Make A Wedding Priority List
One of the best ways to start the wedding planning process is by creating a priority list together.
Knowing what’s most important to each of you will set a clear direction for the rest of your planning.
By outlining your must-haves early, you can make sure your wedding reflects both your personalities and stays within budget.
1. Make Individual Lists
You and your partner should write down your top 3 to 5 must-haves for the wedding separately. These are the things that matter most to you personally.
This will help you focus on what you value instead of worrying about unnecessary details that you don’t care about.
Many times we get caught up in what wedding blogs and bridal magazines tell us we are “supposed to do” and we forget that the day is about us and should only include the things that matter to us.
Start by putting down your wedding must-haves (there are no wrong answers)
I recommend making these lists separately without the feedback of your partner (that will come later).
2. Compare Your Lists
Once your lists are done, sit down together and see if any of your must-haves match. Add these shared items to your combined must-have list.
If your lists are different, tell each other why the items on your list are so important to you. This can help you learn how to compromise and figure out your priorities.
How to implement this:
Have an open discussion…Go through each item and explain why it’s on your list.
For example, maybe you want a fun dance party with a live band so you can watch your friends and family partying together, or maybe you want a specific style of wedding venue because you have always dreamt about getting married outdoors.
Prioritize respect.
Even if you and your partner don’t share the same priorities, respect each other’s choices and opinions.
If your partner loves something that you don’t really care about, find ways to let them have that without compromising too much of your own list.
3. Create a Combined List
Now that you’ve compared your lists, organize a final combined list with the most important things at the top.
These should be your top priorities when setting your budget, making sure that you put your money and time into what really matters most.
How to implement this:
Rank your priorities. Once you’ve combined your lists, rank the items in order of importance.
For example, if you both agree that amazing food is the top priority, place that at the top, followed by other shared or individual items.
Use your list for budgeting. When setting your wedding budget, refer back to this list.
Spend more money, time, and effort on the top priorities and look for ways to save on things that are not as important to you.
Review your list once in a while. As you get deeper into planning, revisit your list to make sure you’re staying focused on what matters most.
If other ideas come up, make sure that they fit into your original priorities.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your wedding reflects both your personalities and values while making sure you stay on track with your budget and planning!
Put Together A Wedding Guest List
Once you’ve figured out your wedding budget, it’s time to put together a rough draft of your guest list. This is an important next step because the number of guests you invite will impact almost every major planning decision…like your venue, food, and bar.
1. What Size Wedding Do You Want?
The first thing to discuss when putting your guest list together is how big you want your wedding to be.
The main thing to remember when it comes to your guest list is the number of guests that you invite to your wedding will have the biggest effect on your wedding budget (most of the money spent is typically on the venue, food, and bar).
But that does not mean that you can’t have a big wedding on a budget. There are definitely ways to have a big wedding without spending big bucks. We offer lots of tips and suggestions on this site.
Just keep in mind that a wedding with 200 guests is most likely going to cost more money than a wedding with 50 guests.
2. Start with Must-Have Guests
Sit down with your partner and create a list of everyone you want to invite.
Keep your lists separate to stay organized.
Start with the people who are most important and you couldn’t imagine missing your wedding…like parents, grandparents, siblings, and best friends.
How to implement this:
Use categories – Break your must-haves into categories (family, friends, etc.) to make it easier to sort through them.
Check with family – Make sure there are no important people you’ve forgotten…like extended relatives your parents might expect to invite.
Something to keep in mind is that if your parents are paying for their wedding (or helping), they might want a little more input into the guest list.
This is where compromise should play a part in your wedding planning.
Example – If your parents are paying for the food and bar at your 200-person wedding, and they want to invite a few of their close friends, you might want to say “of course” even if those guests are not important to you.
But if you are having a small intimate wedding with 30 of your closest family and friends, this is where you might want to explain to your parents that it is really important to you that you keep the guest list small.
Wedding planning is much easier when all of those involved are willing to compromise.
3. Add Everyone Else You’d Like to Invite
Once you’ve listed your must-haves, add in other people you’d like to invite…like extended family, high school or college friends, and coworkers. This helps you create a more complete draft.
Something to think about – Set boundaries. If you’re worried about the guest list getting too big, decide on whether to invite plus-ones or kids early in the process.
4. Keep Your Budget in Mind
Remember…the more guests you invite, the more expensive your wedding will be (typically).
According to some of the bigger wedding magazines, the average cost per wedding guest is about $250 (food, bar, favors, dessert, centerpieces for more tables, etc.).
Cutting your guest list by just 25 people could save you an average of $6,250. As your list grows, make sure it fits within your budget.
Find A Wedding Venue And Pick A Wedding Date
Once you’ve figured out your budget and guest list, it’s time to focus on two of the most important wedding decisions you will make…where and when you’ll get married.
These two decisions go hand in hand, so it’s best to work through them together.
1. Deciding on a Wedding Location
Before you start looking for venues, you’ll need to decide where the wedding will take place.
Talk about location – If you and your partner are from different parts of the country or live away from family, talk about whether you want a hometown wedding or a destination wedding.
Consider travel – If most guests live in one area, think about whether it makes sense to have the wedding in that area or turn it into a fun travel experience.
Personal note – When my wife and I got married, we got married in Pennsylvania (where she is from). All of my family traveled to PA from California (where I’m from).
Most of my family planned their summer vacation around our date. So after the wedding, many of them took vacations to Washington D.C. or one of the many East Coast beach destinations.
Make it personal – Choose a place that means something to you as a couple, like a favorite vacation spot, a family home, or the town where you met. This is not a must, but it might be another fun way to choose a location for your wedding.
2. Choosing a Wedding Date
Picking the right date depends on several things, including season, availability of guests, and budget.
Consider the weather – For example…If you really want an outdoor wedding, think about the season. If you or your partner don’t deal well with the heat, consider a time of year when it’s a little cooler.
Check in with VIPs – Before finalizing the wedding date, ask important guests…like close family and friends…about any existing commitments or plans…like vacations or other weddings.
Be budget-savvy – Getting married in the off-season or on a Friday or Sunday can save you a significant amount of money. This can be a great option if you’re flexible with your date.
Think about your job – If your job has busy seasons, like teaching or accounting, plan around those times so you can enjoy your wedding without any added stress from your work life.
3. Picking the Right Venue
Now that you have a general idea of the location and date, it’s time to start looking at venues.
Your guest list and budget will help narrow down your choices.
Make a venue wish list – Think about the types of venues that fit your vision. Do you want an outdoor wedding with scenic views or a fancy hotel reception in the city?
Contact venues early – Before touring any venues, call or email them to ask about their pricing and guest capacity. This will help you avoid wasting time on locations that don’t meet your needs.
Keep your priorities in mind – Refer back to your priority list. If having a stunning outdoor ceremony is at the top of the list, focus on venues with beautiful gardens or outdoor spaces.
By planning your venue and wedding date together, you’ll ensure that both fit your vision, budget, and practical needs. This will help you make the best decision.
More Wedding Planning Tips and Advice
Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful when planning your big (or intimate) day:
