First of all – congratulations!
If you’re here, chances are there’s a new ring on your finger and a quiet (or not-so-quiet) whirlwind of emotion surrounding you. Excitement. Anticipation. Maybe even a touch of overwhelm. You might feel like you should already have a vision board curated and a venue secured – but take a breath. There is no rush.
As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside so many couples from the very beginning of their planning journey. I’ve seen how grounding it can be to have a clear starting point – a sense of direction before the details begin to unfold.
So here’s your pause. Your deep breath.
And then, your next thoughtful steps forward.
1. Soak It All In Before You Plan
Before you dive into spreadsheets and venue tours, take a moment – or a few weeks really – to just enjoy being engaged. Celebrate with your people, take a million ring selfies, go on a spontaneous dinner date, and let it feel real. There’s no rush (despite what the internet tells you).
2. Talk About What You Want (Not What Instagram Wants)
Sit down with your partner and talk about your actual dream wedding – not the version you think you should have.
- Big celebration or intimate elopement?
- City venue or destination escape?
- All-day party or cozy dinner with your closest people?
There’s no wrong answer – the goal is to make it feel like you.
3. Set a Realistic Budget
This part isn’t always fun, but it’s so important.
Talk about your overall budget early and decide what your top priorities are. For most couples, those tend to be:
- Venue
- Photography
- Food & drinks
Knowing your numbers from the start helps avoid stress later and lets you put your money where your values are (likeee stunning photos you’ll treasure forever).
4. Start With the Big Three: Date, Venue, Photographer
These three lock everything else into place – and they book up fast.
If you have a dream venue or photographer, be open to flexible dates or seasons to make it work.
💡 Pro tip: If you already know you want your wedding to feel relaxed, candid, and artfully documented – I’d love to chat. I help couples capture their day in a way that’s honest, cinematic, and truly them. You can inquire here.
Once you’ve locked those in, it’s a good time to start reaching out to other key vendors too – like your makeup artist, hair stylist, florist, cake designer, and planner (if you’re hiring one). These amazing creatives often book up well in advance, especially for weekend weddings, and the good ones are worth securing early.
5. Get Inspired (But Don’t Get Overwhelmed)
Now’s the time to start collecting inspiration – but try not to get caught in the scroll.
Create a Pinterest board or save Instagram posts, but remember: you don’t have to do it all. The best weddings are the ones that feel effortless, personal, and full of heart.
6. Consider Hiring a Planner (Even a Partial One)
Planners aren’t just for over-the-top weddings – they’re lifesavers for busy people or couples planning from afar. If you’re doing a destination wedding or want help keeping things stress-free, a planner is worth their weight in gold. There are so so many logistics that go into a wedding that most brides and grooms aren’t experts on and don’t know about. Having someone else take over all those mini stresses can be so helpful for your big day.
7. Don’t Forget What It’s All For
At the end of the day, this is about celebrating your love. Your wedding can be as big, small, fancy, or chill as you want. Make decisions that feel aligned with you two, not just what trends are out there.
Need Help Figuring It All Out?
If you’re newly engaged and don’t know where to start, I’d love to help. Whether you’re planning a Nova Scotia elopement, a destination wedding in Italy, or something totally your own – I’m here for the ride.
You can check out my portfolio here, or reach out here if you want to chat dates, vibes, or just ask a few questions. No pressure – I’m just a real human who happens to love this stuff.
Makeup: Selena Marchand
Hair: Jacquelyn Taylor
Bride to be: Jane from Arrow & Knot Productions
