What to Prioritize First When Planning Your Wedding (And What Can Wait)
Planning a wedding is a huge, exciting, sometimes overwhelming process — especially when you’re just getting started. You might feel like you need to make all the decisions right away… but the truth is, not everything needs to happen at once.
This guide is here to help you prioritize what really matters early on, especially when it comes to booking vendors, staying on budget, and building a wedding day that feels true to you — not just what Pinterest says you should do.
First Things First: Lock In Your Essentials
If you’re newly engaged and excited to start planning, here’s what to book as early as possible — these are the vendors who tend to get snapped up quickly and are foundational to how your day will unfold.
✅ 1. Your Venue
The venue sets your date, your aesthetic, and your overall vibe. Until your venue is locked in, most other decisions (including who’s available) can’t move forward. Many venues book up a year or more in advance — especially in busy seasons — so this is your first big move.
✅ 2. Photography + Videography
This one might sound biased coming from us — but we can’t stress it enough.
Your photographer and filmmaker are the team responsible for preserving how your day felt. Years from now, your photos will be what bring it all back. And the reality is? Photographers book fast.
We’re often fully booked for popular dates 12–18 months out, and we regularly get multiple inquiries for the same weekend. If you wait too long to book your dream photo/video team, there’s a good chance someone else will beat you to it — and we hate having to send that “So sorry, we’re booked” email.
✅ 3. Planner or Day-Of Coordinator
If you’re hiring a full-service planner, they’ll probably help you with venue selection. If not, a day-of or month-of coordinator is still an essential part of a smooth wedding day. You do not want to be fielding vendor questions or managing the timeline while you’re getting into your dress.
💡 What Can Wait (A Bit)
These decisions are still important — but you don’t need to have them figured out right away:
Catering + Bar Options
Florist
Hair + Makeup Artists
DJ or Band
Cake / Desserts
Dress + Accessories
Guest Favors
Decor Rentals + Styling
Once your core vendors are locked in, you can slow down a bit and make thoughtful choices here based on your vibe, season, and budget.
💸 What to Splurge On vs. Where to Simplify
No matter your budget, it’s important to decide early what matters most to you — and let that shape your planning. You don’t need to spend big on everything. A meaningful, beautiful wedding is about intention, not extravagance.
✨ Worth the Splurge (If It Matters to You)
- An amazing photography/videography team
- A venue that feels like you
- A planner or coordinator
- One “wow” element (dress, live band, custom invites, etc.)
🪄 Where You Can Keep It Simple (and Still Beautiful)
- Opt for a small cutting cake + sheet cake instead of a designer tiered cake
- Skip the full bar — offer wine, beer, and a couple of signature cocktails or keep it simple with tea and punch!
- Choose seasonal or minimal florals — candles go a long way
- Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception
- Ditch the favors and give guests something they’ll actually use (like a great dinner!)
- Trim your guest list to make room in the budget for things that truly matter to you
- Keep your timeline short and meaningful rather than jam-packed
💸 What to Splurge On vs. Where to Simplify
No matter your budget, it’s important to decide early what matters most to you — and let that shape your planning. You don’t need to spend big on everything. A meaningful, beautiful wedding is about intention, not extravagance.
✨ Worth the Splurge (If It Matters to You)
- An amazing photography/videography team
- A venue that feels like you
- A planner or coordinator
- One “wow” element (dress, live band, custom invites, etc.)
🪄 Where You Can Keep It Simple (and Still Beautiful)
- Opt for a small cutting cake + sheet cake instead of a designer tiered cake
- Skip the full bar — offer wine, beer, and a couple of signature cocktails or keep it simple with tea and punch!
- Choose seasonal or minimal florals — candles go a long way
- Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception
- Ditch the favors and give guests something they’ll actually use (like a great dinner!)
- Trim your guest list to make room in the budget for things that truly matter to you
- Keep your timeline short and meaningful rather than jam-packed
Final Thought: Invest in Your Memories
At the end of the day, your wedding will be full of joy, emotion, and connection — but it will go by fast. You won’t remember every little detail. You will remember the way it felt walking down the aisle. The way your spouse looked at you. The way your people laughed, danced, and cried happy tears.
That’s why we believe that investing in an incredible photography team isn’t just about pretty pictures — it’s about honoring the experience you’ve created. It’s about preserving it in a way that feels real, timeless, and authentic.
Whether you're planning a laid back backyard wedding or a full weekend celebration, build your day around what really matters to you — and trust the right people to help you bring it to life.
