Wedding Planning 101

Before diving into the details, dream a little!

• What kind of vibe are you going for? (Classic, modern, romantic, destination?)

• Indoor or outdoor? Local or faraway?

• What matters most to you—food, music, photography, the overall experience?

💡 Pro Tip: Create a Pinterest board or mood board to start visualizing it all.

Your budget will shape a lot of decisions, so it’s best to get clear early.

• How much are you comfortable spending overall?

• How many guests are you thinking?

• Break things down into categories (venue, attire, food, flowers, etc.)

• Pick your top 3 priorities—what are you not willing to compromise on?

• And yes—always set aside a 5–10% buffer for surprises.

Choosing a season or rough date helps the rest of your planning fall into place.

• Do you love the idea of a spring garden wedding? A cozy fall celebration?

• Is there a meaningful date you’d love to get married on?

• Check availability at your dream venue—it might affect your final decision.

💡 Pro Tip: Flexibility = more options when it comes to venues and vendors.

Your guest count affects your budget, venue size, and overall vibe. Start with:

• Immediate family and must-haves

• Estimate your count (intimate, mid-size, big bash?)

• Consider plus-ones and whether you’ll invite kids

💡 Pro Tip: The average cost per guest is $200–$300, so keep that in mind as your list grows.

Item descriptionVenues book fast, so this is one of the first big decisions.

• What’s the capacity? Is it easy to get to for guests?

• What’s included—tables, chairs, catering?

• Is there a backup plan for weather if it’s outdoors?

💡 Pro Tip: Ask about restrictions and preferred vendor lists before signing!

The good ones go fast—don’t wait on this step.

• Wedding planner (hi, I’d love to help! 😉)

• Photographer & videographer

• Caterer and DJ or band

💡 Pro Tip: Read reviews, check out past work, and make sure their style matches yours.

Item descriPick the people you want by your side on the big day.

• Think: supportive, reliable, and excited for you!

• Consider their availability and budget

• Will they help with planning or events?

💡 Pro Tip: Make the ask special—think personalized gifts, cute cards, or a proposal brunch.

Item descriptionSome dresses take months to come in—so don’t wait.

• Try on different styles, even ones you think you won’t like

• Set a clear budget for your attire

• Plan for at least 2–3 fittings

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t forget about the full look—shoes, jewelry, veil, etc.

Stay on top of it all with a month-by-month plan.

• When to send invites

• When to book vendors

• Dress fittings, tastings, beauty trials—it adds up!

💡 Pro Tip: Try a free planning app like Zola or The Knot to help you stay organized.

This should be a fun season, not just a checklist.

• Make time for regular date nights—no wedding talk allowed

• Don’t stress over tiny details—focus on the moments that matter

• Hire a planner (that’s me!) to take the heavy lifting off your plate

These 10 steps are just the beginning—the simplified version of a much deeper planning process.
If even this list feels a little overwhelming, that’s totally normal. Wedding planning has a lot of moving parts, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Reach out to Joined by Love Wedding Planning if you’re ready for a little extra guidance (or a lot)—she’d love to help bring your vision to life with ease and care. 💛

I think I need some help!