You’ve got the ring, now what do you do?!

Before you dive headfirst into spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and planning checklists, one of your first steps after getting engaged is to CELEBRATE. Seriously! Go out to dinner, invite family over, grab ice cream, or pop champagne. Make sure you do something that breaks your normal routine. This season of life deserves to be enjoyed. Planning can feel exciting for some, overwhelming for others, or a mix of both, but celebration is something we all have in common. So, soak it in! Go get your nails done too because you’ve got a shiny new ring to show off!💍

Once the celebration dust settles, it’s time to book the big vendors, aka the ones that fill up the fastest.

*Want to know some of my favorite vendors? Check out this blog post! 😉

Book These Three Vendors First

Your Reception (and/or Ceremony) Venue

Wedding venues can book out fast, sometimes more than a year in advance. Some venues even have specific booking windows, so researching early is key. Make sure your venue can accommodate your guest count, fits your vision, and, most importantly, has great communication. You don’t want to wait weeks for a response once you’re already booked. One important note: higher-priced venues often offer better service, better organization, and a more overall value.

Your Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer can feel overwhelming, but here’s the golden rule: choose based on style. If you love bright and airy photos, book a photographer who shoots that way. If you love dark and moody images, choose someone who specializes in that look. Don’t ask a photographer to change their editing style; it won’t end well.

Do your research. Look at websites and social media. Do you like their work? Do they educate you? Do they feel like someone you can trust? Experience matters. A seasoned wedding photographer knows how to manage timelines, large bridal parties, and unexpected hiccups. As the saying goes, cheap photography isn’t good, and good photography isn’t cheap. (For my past blog post on choosing a photographer, look here. 📸)

Wedding Planner or Coordinator

Ask yourself this: what parts of planning, or the wedding day itself, do you not want to handle? If the answer is “a lot,” hire a planner or at least a day-of coordinator. Their job is to manage logistics, timing, setup, and some stress OFF OF YOU…so you don’t have to. And trust me, they LOVE doing it. Can a family member help? Possibly, but that is entirely up to you. I always suggest to my couples that it’s best to let someone else handle the planning so all of your family can enjoy the wedding day. ❤️

Everything Wedding That Comes Next

Once those three vendors are booked, you can move forward with:

• Catering and tastings
• DJ or band
• Wedding dress shopping
• Invitations and save-the-dates
• Hair and makeup
• Transportation (party bus, anyone? 💃🏻)

Final Wedding Planning Tips

• Don’t stress
• Take one decision at a time
• Trust your gut
• Don’t overthink and ask someone you trust ❤️

There are a million decisions ahead, but don’t let that scare you. Most importantly, enjoy this season! Wedding planning flies by, and before you know it, you’ll be standing at the altar, marrying the love of your life. 💕

For more information about how to find the best vendor team, read my blog post here. If you’re ready to book your wedding photographer, I’m here to chat about all the exciting details! Reach out via my contact page so we can get started! 💍