Starting Your Wedding Planning- 10 Things To Do Once You're Ready to Begin

Now that you've had some time to revel in celebrating your engagement, the next step is to start your wedding planning. It might seem overwhelming to start planning one of the most important days of your life, but it can actually be really exciting! It also helps to have some structure and a checklist to help make it all seem less stressful. If you're just at the very beginning part of the planning phase and you're unsure what needs to be done or what you should do first, you've come to the right place. We've got ten things to do once you're ready to start you process, allowing you to take things one at a time, and ultimately help you plan the wedding you've been dreaming of. Ready to get started? Scroll along to see our list :)



Once you and your significant other have had time to celebrate as a couple, plan an engagement party to allow all of your loved ones to celebrate your news with you. This doesn't have to be a large or expensive party- something as small as a dinner party at your home, or cocktails at your favorite bar are just as great. Or if you want to have a large gathering, that's just as amazing! However you and your partner want to share and celebrate this news is completely your choice. Having an engagement party lets those closest to you celebrate a big moment in your lives, and allows you to jumpstart getting excited about everything to come.

Photo by Villa Bloom Field



Do you want a small wedding, large wedding? Or maybe an elopement sounds perfect to you. Knowing exactly how many people you're thinking of inviting is important- it gives you an idea of what type of wedding you can plan for. But deciding on what type of wedding you want to have isn't just limited to size (although this is arguably the most important thing). This also includes the style and overall look of your wedding. By knowing exactly the type of wedding you want, you'll be better able to plan for the wedding of your dreams. Take the time to figure out what would be best for you and your partner- at the end of the day, all that matters is that the two of you are happy with your choice.






Even though it can seem like something so so simple, finding your wedding date is actually an incredibly important step. Finding your date might seem stressful and that's normal, but it's easily doable. Before you decide on one, check to make sure that there aren't any other weddings on or near the date you're considering in your inner circle. For example, you don't want to get married the weekend after your friends do, or on the same date, especially if you're having a destination wedding. Sit down with your partner and looking at your calendars, see if there's a time of year that you would prefer or if there's a date that has meaning to you. If there's no overlap and you both can agree on the date, this part should be relatively easy.






It's important to have a financial grasp on what you'll be able to spend on your wedding, and creating a realistic budget will give you guidelines for how much money you'll be able to dedicate to your day. Take note that even if you're being budget savvy, your wedding will more than likely cost more than you think, so come up with a figure you can live with. Be prepared that more than likely, you're going to spend more than you planned. Do some research on how much certain items might cost so you can start to get an understanding of what your wedding could potentially cost. Confused about how to best figure out your budget or get a better understanding? THIS is a great example that show you how to best plan and decide on a wedding budget, because there is no need to go broke for your big day.



Wherever you decide to have your wedding, researching venues that you might want to tie the knot is incredibly important. A destination wedding might mean the events are taking place at a resort or the beach, whereas maybe you're dreaming of saying your "I do's" at a glamorous mountain resort. Wherever that may be, we recommend thouroughly investigating where you might have your wedding. There are other items to to take into consideration before you choose- how many guests are you having, what is the venues window of availability, how much would it cost, and what do the reviews say. Doing proper research on wedding venues will help you find the perfect setting for the wedding of your dreams.



If you and your partner are having a wedding that includes guests, you'll need to figure out who you want to invite. Before you create a list, it's important to know what size of wedding you'll be having, and what your budget is. For a smaller or more intimate wedding, you'll have an easier time deciding who you need and want in attendance, especially if you decide it's just friends and family. Larger affairs might still require you to narrow down your invites, and it's not always possible to invite everyone you want. Start with those who you must absolutely include and then move into friends and and other important people. Most people will understand that you can't invite every person you know, so don't worry too much about leaving someone out.






This is one of the most enjoyable and creative parts of your wedding planning process and you should have fun with it! This is your chance to gather as many different ideas and looks as you want to help inspire you to create your dream wedding. It's an exciting thing to begin to visualize what you want your wedding to look like. Enjoy it and try not to take it too seriously- you always have room to be flexible and can always narrow down your choices later. It's an opportunity to get pumped about all of the different designing possibilities Need a little extra creative help? Check out our Pinterest page from the photo below where we have almost every type of wedding style to give you some additional inspiration help.

Photo By The Unmeasured Events Pinterest Board




If you're choosing to have a bridal party stand by your side, you'll need to decide who you want to ask. It's important to remember that you might not be able to include every person you both would like, and that is completely normal. Narrowing down your bridal party is a personal choice, but don't worry about hurt feelings. Oftentimes most people will understand that you can only include so many people. Once you know exactly who those people will be, you have to ask them. Find a cute and creative way to ask them through a small gift, or with something personalized like a photo proposal card! You'll be asking a lot of them for the big day, so show them a little love when you ask them to be a part of your wedding.

ADELLA Collection Bridesmaid Proposal Card by Unmeasured Events



You've got your wedding inspiration, you know exactly what kind of wedding you want to have, and you've even got a date set. Now you and your partner have to decide on some items that are a non-negotiable- things you absolutely must have. There are endless possibilities to what those items might be, but only you and your partner can figure out what those things are. Work within your budget to find those items that you can't live without and go from there. This will also help you find that not everything you think you need is a "must have", and that you can either do without it, or you can find a more budget friendly version. One piece of advice we'll leave you with for this one, is don't hire a lower cost photographer- those memories will be captured forever, and you might look back and be sad if they're not high quality. Otherwise, everything else is up for debate.




Sending out your save the dates with your wedding day highlighted is such an important moment in your wedding planning process. It means that the date is real, and that you're that much closer to having your wedding not just be a dream, but rather a reality. Find a save the date template that matches your style or respective personalities and create something beautiful that not only your family and friends will love, but also excites you. Sending out save the dates can help your guests plan and prepare to be there with you on your wedding. Feeling overwhelmed about all of the different styles or options? We've got a list of save the date ideas RIGHT HERE to help you find the one that's perfect for you.

WILLOW Collection Photo Save the Date By Unmeasured Events

It's important to remember that planning your wedding should be done on your own time, and that only you and your partner should have the final say in what you want and how things will look. Your wedding is incredibly special and it should all be done on your timetable, so try not to stress too much about feeling like you have to plan everything right away. Our list is also just the beginning of your wedding planning journey, and it should be a fun part! If you're looking for an overall good wedding checklist that can help you plan from start to finish, we LOVE THIS ONE from Brides Magazine. Here's to happy planning for you and your partner for your special day!


What did you think of our wedding planning starting point? Was there anything we missed or should have included? Let us know- send us a message via our Instagram or Etsy to tell us your thoughts. Recently Engaged and planning your special day? Congratulations! Let us help take the stress out of event planning- For more wedding inspiration, subscribe to the email list, follow us on Pinterest and scroll down below to save 10% on templates. That way, you can focus on what really matters.