So, you’ve said yes! congrats!

This special moment is one that has a LOT of build-up around it as we all know. Once that ring is on your finger and you’ve spent time celebrating, where the heck do you go from there? There are 5 simple tasks to keep in mind when starting to plan your wedding. If this wedding planning TO-DO list is followed in order, you should start the wedding planning process CALMLY and (relatively) stress-free!

CELEBRATE, then chat dollars and cents

Once you’ve called your family and posted that bling for the world to see, it’s time to get down to business. Discussing your budget with all parties who are involved in paying for the big day may seem daunting but it’s the FIRST thing you need to do! Your budget determines Every. Single. Detail of the day and is the very first thing you need to have a firm grasp of or things will quickly get out of hand.

TIP: Keep in mind that you can assume food and beverage will run you about $150+/ per head. *This number can fluctuate quite a bit depending on venue and inclusions and is based on numbers seen in Ontario, Canada.

Create your guest list

Your budget determines every detail for your big day and that includes your guest list! The reason you should firm up your budget first is that your guest list is dependent on that number.

Your guest list is a reflection of your budget and goes hand in hand with sorting out the remainder of the details. Grab a bevvie, sit down with your love and write down all of the people who you would like to be surrounded by on your wedding day. Don’t forget to ask your parents as they will have a lot of requests when it comes to the guest list— especially if they are paying!

TIP: Have a backup plan and consider the fact that COVID-19 may still be lingering by the time your big day comes around; having a backup list of your closest friends and family is a good idea in case you need to cut numbers! (This blog post was written in 2021).

Hire your wedding planner!

An investment I would highly recommend (and not just because I happen to be one!). Having a wedding planner can take so much pressure off of you. Let’s be real, on average, it takes about 200 hours to plan a wedding—That’s basically a second full time job!

Most planners have multiple package options that suit all sorts of budgets and in the grand scheme of things, take up a very small portion of your overall budget. Often, experienced planners have many contacts in the industry and can easily steer you in the right direction to someone who fits your overall style and budget. The bonus is, sometimes they get discounts from certain vendors too!

Search for the perfect venue!

Budget and guest list creation come first because they are the two main factors that will help decide which style and size venue will work for you. I can’t tell you the number of couples who choose their venue and then have to change their budget and guest list right off the hop. While this is doable, who needs that kind of stress in the beginning?

Think long and hard about what details are important to you; is it style & theme, food, quality service, picturesque backdrop? If you have an idea of the style of venue you would like, your wedding planner will be your greatest asset in searching for the perfect spot.

Hire the perfect team

Once you have your budget, guest list and venue sorted out, the fun can begin. These three key items set the tone for the entire day and once they are decided upon, you can start choosing all of the pretty details. If you don’t already have a Pinterest board for your wedding inspiration, now is the time to create one. Anyone involved in the design of your wedding (Florist, Planner, Decorator etc.) will want to see it! Once you have some ideas of what you would like your wedding to look and feel like, your wedding planner will be able to guide you to the vendors who will work within your budget to pull off your vision!

That’s it, easy peasy!

Remember, there will more than likely be bumps along the way because there is a ton of emotion involved in planning your wedding day. If you try your best to stop and take a breath every once in a while and follow some simple guidelines, your stress levels should stay low.

If you are the type of person who needs guidance, I would recommend reaching out to a wedding planner in your area. Hiring a wedding planner, whether it be for a quick consult to get you on your way or to stay by your side for the duration of your engagement, is an asset you will not regret investing in. Most planners have multiple packages to suit different budgets and styles, so chat with a few different ones and go with one that feels like the best fit!

Most of all, remember that this is supposed to be a happy time. You are engaged to the love of your life and that’s what this is all about—you two and your love story!