Here Are the First Steps to Planning A Wedding (So You Don’t Feel Overwhelmed)

Just today, I met a sweet young woman at my dentist’s office. She had just gotten engaged and was absolutely glowing, but vented to me about how she feels paralyzed when she starts to plan out her wedding next year. She told me she felt overwhelmed by all the decisions she suddenly had to make and didn’t know where to start first. “Who do we book first? How soon do we need to plan things?”

Her questions are the same ones thousands of newly engaged couples wonder about every year when they get engaged— and if you’re reading this, maybe you’re feeling that way too. So let’s start here.

Take a deep breath. 
You don’t have to plan your entire wedding today.
And you’re not behind.

Let’s walk through the first steps you should take after getting engaged — in a calm, clear, supportive order — so the process feels effortless and easy.

1. Celebrate Your Engagement (Yes, Really!)

Before you jump into planning mode, take time to enjoy being engaged. Whether you celebrate with a dinner date, a cozy night in, or a small gathering with loved ones, give yourselves space to slow down and soak it all in.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment — don’t rush past it.

2. Talk About Your Vision & Priorities Together

Before booking anything, sit down together and talk about:

• What type of wedding you imagine

• Your ideal season or time of year

• Approximate guest count

• Indoor or outdoor

• Local wedding or destination

• Your “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves”

This helps you stay aligned as you make bigger decisions later. Many couples skip this step and immediately feel scattered — this conversation brings clarity and reduces stress.

3. Decide on a Budget (Before Booking Anything)

It may not be the most romantic part of wedding planning, but your budget determines everything:

• Venue options

• Guest count (here is a guide on how to pick your guest number)

• Photography and videography investments

• Catering

• Décor

• Extras like florals or live music

Talk honestly about what you’re comfortable spending and if any family members are contributing. The sooner you do this, the smoother the rest of planning becomes.

4. Choose a Date or Narrow It Down to a Season

You don’t need an exact date yet — even choosing a season helps.
For example:

• Utah summer weddings book quickly because of mountain venues

• Seattle weddings often peak between June–September for better weather

• Popular fall weekends disappear fast in both states

Once you know “summer 2026” or “October 2025,” you can start contacting vendors with more confidence.

5. Create a Shortlist of Venues

Your venue determines your wedding date, overall style, and often your vendor choices. Start searching early — some venues book 12–18 months out.

If you’re looking in Utah or Seattle, here are a few popular starting points:

• Utah: La Caille, River Bottoms Ranch, Snowbird, Sundance, Walker Farms

• Seattle: Lairmont Manor, Woodinville wineries, The Rainier Club, The Admiral’s House

Once you book your venue, everything else can fall into place.

6. Book Your Wedding Photographer Early (Really Early!)

Photographers often book as far as 12–24 months in advance — especially during peak wedding seasons (depends on your area, but for me it’s usually June-September). If photography is important to you (and for most couples, it is), reach out early to secure your date.

As a Utah & Seattle wedding photographer with 16+ years of experience, I help couples:

• Create a smooth, stress-free photography plan

• Build a timeline

• Plan engagement sessions

• Feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera

Booking your photographer early gives you access to guidance, support, and planning help long before the wedding day. Check out this blog post about how to choose your wedding photographer.

7. Plan Your Engagement Session

This is one of my favorite parts of wedding planning because it helps you:

• Get comfortable in front of the camera

• Build trust with your photographer

• Celebrate your engagement in a meaningful way

• Have beautiful photos for save-the-dates or your wedding website

For Utah engagements, places like the Salt Flats, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Tibble Fork are stunning.
In Seattle, Discovery Park, Artist Point, and waterfront locations are timeless favorites. Here is a helpful guide on how to pick your engagement session location based on seasons in your area.

8. Start Booking Your Core Vendors

Once you have a venue and photographer, you can move on to:

• Wedding planner or coordinator

• Florist

• Hair & makeup team

• Caterer

• DJ or band

• Videographer

• Rentals (tables, linens, décor)

These vendors shape your wedding day experience — booking them early saves stress later. If you need a list of local vendors, I have a list of tried and true wedding vendors that I have loved working with over the years.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions or Get Help

If you feel stuck or unsure, reach out to an experienced vendor you trust. Most of us in the wedding industry genuinely love helping couples navigate these early stages.

Planning a wedding is a big experience — but you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’ve just gotten engaged, you’re entering one of the most exciting times of your life. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first, but with a few clear steps and the right support, the process becomes joyful, meaningful, and even fun.

If you’re planning a wedding and you want a photographer who’s calm, experienced, organized, and supportive every step of the way, I’d love to help you feel confident as you begin this journey.

Reach out anytime — even if you’re not ready to book yet.
I’m always happy to guide couples through the first steps.