10 Things You Must Do First When Planning Your Wedding
Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting chapters of your life — but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Listen, we know how abruptly overwhelming it can be when you start to think of the many things that you’ll have to do for your wedding. You just got engaged does this sound like you right now:
Where will I have my wedding?
How much should I spend on my wedding?
What date should I set my wedding?
What colors do I want? What flowers do I want?
Who will be my bridesmaids and groomsmen?
How many people should we invite? Who should I invite?
What elements should I include in my wedding to make it fun?
Where do I find a photographer, dj, florist, videographer?
Many of our couples call on us when they realize they just can’t do it all on their own. Their peace of mind and getting their time back is most important to them. At Simone Vega Events, a New Jersey wedding planning company, we believe that the foundation of a stress-free and unforgettable wedding lies in making smart decisions early on. While there are many steps in the wedding planning process, these first 10 steps should help you get the ball rolling. These first wedding planning steps will help you create clarity, set the tone, and give you the freedom to enjoy the process.
1. Celebrate the Moment
Before diving into planning, take time to soak it all in. And we’re talking about at least a few weeks. Call your closest loved ones, pop a bottle of champagne, and enjoy the joy of being engaged. This moment is about you and your partner.
2. Talk About Your Vision
Sit down together and discuss what matters most. Do you envision an intimate gathering or a grand celebration? Are you dreaming of a castle wedding or a lavish yet laid back tented wedding? Do you want lots of flowers or would you rather just lots of candles to adorn your wedding décor? Would you rather escape to your favorite destination for your wedding or do something in your local area that carries meaning? Aligning your vision now will help every decision feel intentional.
3. Establish a Realistic Budget
Your budget is the backbone of your wedding. And many couples get confused at this stage of the planning process. With so much information out there how do you really know what to spend on florals, a venue or your photographer? Decide on a number you’re comfortable with and identify your top priorities — whether it’s the venue, design, or entertainment. As seasoned wedding planners, we take our couple’s budget and help them to allocate their monies appropriately so they are not only staying within budget but ensuring their funds have the most impact.
4. Draft a Guest List
Your guest list shapes your budget, venue options, and overall experience. We’re not saying that you need to know every single person that is showing up to your wedding now. But it’s helpful to know an estimate of who may be coming. This way when you’re visiting venues you can give them a minimum estimate guest count. Start to create an initial draft to get a sense of scale and be open to refining it as you go.
5. Choose Your Date (or Season)
Let’s admit it. Picking a wedding date is one of the most difficult parts of the planning process. Your thinking of your guests schedule, your schedule, and of what the best time of year will be to be married. These are really weighty decisions and one of the most important ones that you will make as you head towards being a married couple! But whether you dream of a spring or summer garden wedding or a cozy winter celebration, having a date or at least a preferred season in mind will guide your venue search and help you secure vendors.
6. Hire a Wedding Planner
This is where the stress ends, and the fun begins. But did we have to tell you this! A wedding planner acts as your partner, problem-solver, and advocate. We always say to our couple’s that “We have your back.” As your Wedding Planner we want beyond the best for you and that includes helping you to enjoy every single moment of your wedding day. From logistics to design, Simone Vega Events will streamline the process so you can focus on enjoying your engagement. This is where you get to, literally, dash the stress away.
7. Book Your Venue
The venue sets the stage for your wedding day and influences every other detail. Tour venues with your vision, date and guest count in mind, and lean on your planner to ask the right questions before signing. We help our couples narrow down their venues that best fit your vision. This way you’re not wasting precious time that you could be spending with each other, friends or family. Want to know more about how we do this. Get in touch!
8. Secure Key Vendors Early
Your photographer, videographer, and entertainment team often book up quickly. Especially if they are really popular on Instagram and social media. Once your date and venue are secured, lock in these priority vendors to avoid disappointment.
9. Build a Planning Timeline
If you want to have structure and an organized processed to your planning journey, than you need to have a planning timeline. We build our planning timeline out in phases so our clients don’t feel overwhelmed. Consider handling a handful of important wedding tasks over a 3-month course. For example, create your guestlist, choose your date, choose your venue, hire your top vendors, and look for your wedding gown over the course of three months. Knowing what needs to happen and when removes the guesswork and keeps the process stress-free.
10. Focus on What Matters Most
Remember why you’re celebrating: your love and your future together. Trends will come and go, but a wedding that reflects your story will always feel timeless. Never loose sight of this.
Final Thought: Wedding Planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming when you start with clarity, intention, and the right support. At Simone Vega Events, a New Jersey and New York Wedding Planner, we specialize in helping ambitious couples plan and design unforgettable celebrations with ease and grace — transforming stress into seamless joy.
Ready to Plan Your Dream Wedding?
At Simone Vega Events, a New Jersey based wedding planning company also serving New York, we offer full planning, design, and wedding management services curated for couples who expect a flawless day—and want to feel good every step of the way. If you’re ready to stop stressing and start celebrating, we’d love to talk.
