The First 5 Decisions You Should Make When Starting Wedding Planning

Image Via Lisa Jane Photography

Getting engaged is one of the most exciting moments in life. Between celebrating with friends and family and admiring the ring, it can feel like you're floating on air.

But once the celebrations settle, most couples start asking the same question:

Where do we even begin with wedding planning?

With thousands of Pinterest boards, checklists and online advice, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you've even started. The truth is that planning a wedding becomes much easier when you focus on the right decisions first.

Here are the five most important decisions to make when you begin planning your wedding.

1. Decide What You Want Your Wedding to Feel Like

Before diving into venues or suppliers, take a step back and think about the overall feeling you want your wedding to have.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we want something relaxed or formal?

• Are we imagining an elegant dinner party or a big celebration?

• Do we want something classic, modern or design-led?

This vision will influence almost every other decision you make.

2. Talk Honestly About Your Budget

Money conversations aren’t always the most romantic part of wedding planning, but they’re one of the most important.

Before booking anything, discuss:

• how much you’re comfortable spending

• whether family members are contributing

• which elements matter most to you

Having clarity around your budget helps prevent stress later in the planning process.

3. Draft a Guest List

You don’t need a final guest list yet, but having a rough estimate will help enormously when searching for venues.

Your guest count affects:

• venue options

• catering costs

• table layouts

• accommodation planning

Even a ballpark number can make venue research much easier.

4. Start Thinking About Your Venue

Your venue is often the single biggest decision in wedding planning.

It influences:

• the overall atmosphere

• the guest experience

• catering possibilities

• design opportunities

• planning logistics

This is why most couples begin their planning journey by researching venues once they’ve clarified their vision and guest numbers.

5. Decide How Much Support You Want

Wedding planning can take up to 300 hours behind the scenes. Some couples love being hands-on and managing every detail themselves, while others prefer professional guidance.

There are different ways to approach planning:

• planning everything yourselves

• hiring a planner to manage the entire process

• starting with expert strategy before continuing on your own

Choosing the right level of support can make the entire experience far more enjoyable.

A Smart Way to Start Your Wedding Planning Journey

Many couples have exciting ideas for their wedding but feel unsure how to turn those ideas into a clear plan.

That’s exactly why I created the Wedding Planning Strategy Advisory.

This three-part consultation gives you direct access to a seasoned wedding planner’s expertise at the very beginning of your planning journey.

Together we create a bespoke wedding planning roadmap, covering:

• your vision and design direction

• strategic budget allocation

• venue search guidance

• supplier priorities and recommendations

• practical tools to help you stay organised

By the end, you’ll know exactly where to start and how to plan your wedding with confidence.

👉 Explore the Wedding Planning Strategy Advisory

Because the best weddings don’t happen by accident — they begin with a clear strategy.

Final Thoughts on Where to Start Wedding Planning

Getting engaged is the start of a wonderful journey. While wedding planning can feel daunting at first, focusing on the right decisions early makes everything far smoother.

Take time to define your vision, discuss your priorities as a couple, and build a plan that reflects what truly matters to you.

And most importantly — enjoy the process. It’s the beginning of something very special.