Couples getting married on May 16, 2026

Hi date twin! Congratulations!!

I am anxious and excited. I have already started on some of the big things that often book out pretty far. We have booked our photographer (included engagement pics), venue that includes the bar/catering, wedding bands, and we just ordered save the dates that include a QR code for the website RSVP.
I think we definitely could have waited a bit longer to start planning, but I get overwhelmed pretty easily, and now that all of the big picture stuff is out of the way I can relax and wait until closer to start dress shopping and getting the smaller details in order.

I would love to hear what others are doing!

Congrats!!! I would definitely start looking for venues now. They book up really quick. I went on a tour of a venue 2 weeks ago and there was another couple looking for a date in October of next year and there were no dates available. They were completely booked for next year. I already booked mine venue and a DJ so far!

Hi! Congratulations! Our date is June 24th, 2026 and we have started planning. We decided to break everything down into the biggest decisions now (date, location, venue ideas, planner y/n, ect.) I think it gives you more time to breathe through the planning process so hopefully when the wedding gets here, it's less overwhelming! Also, hopefully time doesn't fly by too fast!

Hey date twin, Congrats and eek so excited right??!!


I started planning basically the night I said yes and have found that I am missing out on certain top choices because of the timing. The girl for doing my hair is the biggest disappointment that I missed out on.
I am playing a risky game not cementing the photobooth I want but I can't yet because I need to view the venue I contracted (I'm doing a destination wedding).
When it comes to venues... I used a couple wedding websites to start looking but found that using Google maps to find what I was looking for based on custome photos and topography worked best then reached out for options to contract as a venue. I don't know if that system would work for you but I had a particular vision of a view of the coast with the water at sunset with the lights of the city... its a view I grew up with and wanted as the backdrop to the fancy/formal photos instead of paying for a bunch of one time use decor items. Anyway, if you get an idea of what you want, there a multiple ways to work to obtain that vision, it just takes time and diligence.
The things I found hardest were first figuring a date then approximate guest count and an approximate max budget. Once I had those everything else pretty much fell into place. We aimed for $75-100/head for food and less than $5k for the venue but the venue at $5k needed to come with a view or decor and things like tables, plates napkins etc. I was able to make the budget with contracting a restaurant and not doing a separate venue for the ceremony (we are going very not traditional with the ceremony). This meant we could afford more guests and better food when we combined and came in much lower than originally expected.
As a nifty thing, call Alaska Airlines and ask for a discount code for guests flying into the wedding. They should give you a code for 5% off but the guests need to come from the lower 48 states and all fly into the same airport
I also got way more blocks of hotels than what I needed for free. This allowed me to price shop the bridal suite based on the discount they provided. In the end I ended up with 4 hotel options all at good discounted prices and got an Airbnb for my family as we are staying longer and this saved me $1300 compared to the hotel because of kids needing separate rooms.
Using something like the excel version of a wedding planner spreadsheet helped me as a starting point for knowing order and what was needed to be done and plan for but allowed me the versatility to heavily adjust everything in the spreadsheet as I needed. I don't have a wedding party, I don't have a ceremony site separated from the reception (there is no turn over of the reception space either), there isn't going to be an engagement party or any of that hooplah... simple and quick for the vows then on to immediate fun, entertainment, socializing and filled with loved ones their stories and such. We have about 10 different worlds colliding as we havent met much in the way of our different circles being an older couple so we have a lot coming out of the woodwork which will be a first time meet at the wedding for most people.
I also looked at non-traditional wedding dresses because it is super important to me to be able to dye my wedding dress then wear it to work all the time. Same for the shoes too... so im going with a tea length fit and flare dress made in satin so its still elegant but a bit retro.
I hope all of this helps!!