Where do i start!?

Yes because no venue no wedding lol. Some venues do book far in advance.

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Ugh!! I am so overwhelmed every single time I start thinking about all the things that need to be done.

Yes and no. The first priority should be setting a budget then creating your guest list. A lot of times venues charge per person you will need to know roughly how many people you will be expecting and if you can afford what they charge per person. You will also need to make sure the venue that you've decided on will accommodate the number of people you plan to invite. I've seen many posts where brides have booked a venue only to realize it wasn't large enough.

I would recommend getting a wedding planning book or using the checklist on here or The Knot (another wedding planning site similar to this). My mom bought me the The Knot wedding planner which I loved having because I could take it with me to meetings with venues and other vendors. It was also great to have all of the information in one place rather than papers and things in several different places. I have linked The Knot planner below.

I would also check out Jamie Wolfer's YouTube channel. She is a wedding planner who makes weekly videos providing advice to couples getting married. Just last week she released a where to start video for couples that just got engaged. It included a ton of useful information. She also had a free timeline that you can download. As well a 6 or 12 month program that you can buy if you choose that she created to walk you through the wedding planning process like she would if you were one of her clients. I have also linked her channel below.

The Knot Planner: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Knot-Ultimate-Wedding-Planner-Organizer-binder-Edition-Hardcover-9780770433369/20664188?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=aud-1025747331336:pla-51320962143&wl5=9007869&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=20664188&veh=sem&gclid=CjwKCAiAouD_BRBIEiwALhJH6DAKWwfTZrNPX1AXkXDhuvLVWBJTgUPVs9L4VtOfGt2D3hDCVYDyHhoCz3AQAvD_BwE

Jamie Wolfer (wedding planner) YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdAcY6YGgF-RgGYXTsOENbA

Nope. Nailing down on a set budget with future spouse should be first priority. Only count the money you all have in cash or in the bank. Don't expand your budget based on verbal agreements with family. Many ppl on here have complained about being promised money from relatives and then left to pay the bill for a venue or services that exceeded their budget, when the relatives' money promise failed through.

Finding the venue is 3rd or 4th actually. First thing to is sit down with fiance and decide on your priorities. Most couples focus on the guest experience (food/drink/dj) and good photos. Toss out anything you are not interested in. Also make it a point to not cave to outside pressure on anything while maintaining good manners. Other people have already had their weddings and this is your turn.


Figure out a budget you are comfortable with. Be aware that the word wedding makes the price skyrocket. Some vendors are not willing to compromise.
Make a list of your must have guests. These are people you cannot imagine the day without. These are not your parents' coworkers, poker buddies, etc.
Then you can search for a venue. Eventective.com is a great starting place. Blank slate venues that have tables/chairs and let you bring in caterers and other vendors are most flexible and do not have astronomical food/beverage minimums you must meet.

No, budget should be first priority. Venue should be second. You don’t have a date until you have a venue, and with so many people postponing from 2020 to 2021, you likely already don’t have much to choose from for this year.

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Wow!!!! You're awesome! Like seriously. This was gold!

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Thank you!

Make your own wedding planner book with a 3 ring binder from Target and pocket protectors to carry paint chips for your scheme, fabric swatches, receipts, contracts, etc. Most checklists can be printed from from anywhere online.


Googlesheets has a template for wedding planning that you can share with others as you need.
Most people do not use WW for their wedding website due to countless glitches and go with Withjoy.com or wix.com instead.
Utilize the search feature on the forums to locate past thread topics

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I know a lot of ladies that have had weddings and only two enjoyed the process. It is a lot and stressful so that is normal. Get started on the venue, catering and photography for sure. Those can book fast.

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You're right! Thank you!

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Thanks I will look into this as well.

For us venue was first. Once we figured out what venue we would like, we put together a budget that would work with the venue we wanted. If it didn’t see mmmm like it was enough, we looked around and found another venue, it was actually bigger and cost less and let us have a larger budget for everything else


I would say venue-window shop and create your budget and see where you’re at before booking!We’re getting married feb 2022 and just booked our venue this past weekend and have half of our vendors set up. BUT we’re trying it get it all done early so I’m not stressing over it later lol

Budget and guest list, then venue. You don’t want to fall in love with a venue that won’t fit all of your guests or that eats up most of your budget. But, yes finding a venue should be one of the top priorities.

We figured out what type of venue we wanted, then did a mock up guest list and raised that number knowing we'd probably forgotten people. We didn't really talk about exact budget numbers because we both knew we wanted to keep it pretty cheap. After we found the venue we set a specific budget for everything. The very first question the venue asked us though was how many people we were expecting, so definitely make sure you have an idea! They'll also ask you about alcohol and other things so just have a general picture of what you both want from the day.

Agree with sorting out your priorities! Weddings have a lot of room for competing issues and compromises, so nailing down a few things simultaneously at the beginning will help you down the road.

Budget, guest list, priorities, venue, date, general vision. (For venue, you typically need to know how many people you're having so that you know how big of a space you need, and can guesstimate what food/alcohol will cost.)

Good luck!

Wow this was a great help for myself as well! our wedding is 255 days out and I'm feeling anxious about getting a venue it'll be a sigh of relief when I know we have that booked.

Hey! I think we all will get hit with nerves at some point lol, but you got this! I absolutely think securing a venue is the #1 priority because the rest of your planning is centered around that. If you are using outside vendors for decor and catering, you wouldn’t be able to book them for a specific date without knowing if your venue is available for that same date.

My fiancé and I are putting deposits down for our venues this week. I feel like once those papers are signed we can continue with everything else (the fun stuff). But I felt the exact same way, like okay..I’m engaged but what do I do now lol. Definitely venue first then go full fledge planning!! ❤️