You’ve said “yes” to the love of your life and can’t wait to plan the wedding of your dreams!

However, when it comes to wedding planning, what starts as fun and exciting can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re unsure what to do after getting engaged and want to plan smarter—not harder—this guide will help. My friend Lindsay of Lindsay Plank Events and I (A.K.A. Lindsay squared!) have collaborated to give you all our top tips. Let’s get started!

*Images by Kendra Ruth Photography & Emily Jean Photography*

What to Do After Getting Engaged?

Create a Guest List

Your very first step after getting engaged is creating a guest list. This foundational step will inform almost all of your decisions going forward— from your budget to your venue. At this stage, you should also decide whether you want an intimate, midsize, or large wedding. Then, you can downsize or add names to your guest list accordingly.

Discuss Your Budget

Next, discuss your wedding budget with your partner and anyone else who may be contributing financially. It’s important not to book vendors or a venue before establishing your budget! Knowing the maximum amount you’re willing to spend before putting down any deposits will help you avoid overspending in the long run. It will also help you identify vendors that fit comfortably within your price range.

LQ Events Hamilton, Cambridge Wedding Planner — *Image by Alix Gould*

Hire a Wedding Planner

Now that you’re ready to start hiring vendors, the first one you should book is your wedding planner! We recommend booking consultations with three to five wedding planners so you can get an idea of their pricing and styles. Remember, every planner has different pricing and a distinct creative process. It’s important to find someone who suits your budget and needs!

Come to your consultation with a firm grasp of what you want from a potential wedding planner. Do you want someone who will spearhead the planning process or someone who will act as a sounding board for your ideas? Whatever your goal, hiring a wedding planner is your best possible investment. We’re your insurance that even if (or when) something goes wrong, you can continue enjoying your special day stress-free.

Identify Your Top Priorities

Next, identify your top three priorities for your wedding day. Maybe it’s delicious food and craft beverages, a top-notch photographer, and swoon-worthy floral arrangements. Or perhaps you prefer to invest in a wedding video that looks like it came out of a Hollywood studio. Whatever your priorities are, identify them early and stick to them. Doing this will help you adhere to your budget since you can adjust your spending limit for each vendor. However, note that the most experienced vendors will always cost slightly more since we know what it takes to execute an event!

Neutral wedding tablescape for tented wedding in Burlington Ontario — *Images by Justyna Sokolowski*

Research Your Wedding Vendor Team

When choosing your wedding vendors, don’t just book the first ones you come across. Do your research! Look into different styles, locations, and price points to find the person whose work truly speaks to you. In addition, check each vendor’s website for their pricing. Most will share upfront how much the typical couple invests in their services. Doing this will save you a lot of heartache if it turns out that a potential vendor is out of your price range!

After you’ve researched, send inquiries to vendors whose services and price points align with your needs. If you’re unsure where to begin, fear not! Your wedding planner will help you navigate this entire process. They’ll ensure each vendor you hire is a perfect fit, and they may even have specific recommendations to help streamline your search!

Choose Vendors You Connect With

It may seem obvious, but couples often overlook it: you should like your wedding vendors as people and connect with them on a personal level. You’ll spend lots of time with them, especially your photographer, videographer, and planner! So, ensuring your personalities mesh well before signing on the dotted line is crucial. For example, do you prefer a blunt approach? Are you always cracking jokes? You’ll have the most positive experience planning your wedding if you find vendors who match your vibe!

Couple walks down the aisle as wedding guests throw confetti — *Images by Justyna Sokolowski*

Don’t Second-Guess Your Choices

Trust us on this: if you find the perfect vendor to suit your needs, HIRE THEM! If you don’t, someone else will, and you may find they’ve already booked your wedding date by the time you check back. The same principle applies to your wedding design elements. Once you’ve made a choice, try to stick to it! Tune out the noise and get off Pinterest if you have to. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t doing what everyone else is. It only matters that your wedding day works for you!

Let Yourself Be the Guest of Honor

Your wedding day is one of the only days in your life all about your needs and desires. Embrace it! Don’t try to host your wedding and experience it simultaneously. Instead, hire a wedding planner. We’ll handle all the logistics so you can focus on enjoying the day with your loved ones! There’s no need to stress when you know an experienced event professional is behind the scenes.

Champagne tower at Spencers at The Waterfront Wedding by 515 Photography — *Images by 515 Photography*

Lindsay and I had so much fun collaborating on this blog post!

We love bouncing ideas off each other and being each other’s sounding boards. As independent business owners, we find so much value in supporting each other, allowing us to grow in our craft and best serve our clients.

Are you planning a wedding in Toronto or the Niagara region? I would love to hear your vision for your special day. Reach out, and we’ll schedule your complimentary consultation!