Wedding Planning for Beginners: What to Do First (and Why It Matters Most)
For the bride who just got engaged—and wants to do this right, but isn’t sure where to begin.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out Yet
You just got engaged—congratulations!
If you're feeling a mix of joy and total overwhelm, you’re not alone. The moment the ring’s on your finger, everyone starts asking questions:
“Have you set a date?”
“Do you have a venue?”
“Are you doing a big wedding or small?”
And while those are valid things to think about, they’re not the first questions you need to answer.
This guide is here to give you a different starting point—one that will make everything else feel easier, calmer, and much more you.
Because wedding planning shouldn’t feel like jumping on a moving train.
It should feel like stepping into something meaningful, with confidence and clarity.
The first step in wedding planning isn’t what you think.
It’s not booking a venue. It’s not setting a budget.
It’s this: getting clear on what your wedding vision, your story.
Before anything else, hold that vision close.
The First Step Isn’t What You Think
Let’s get this out of the way:
Most beginner wedding checklists skip the most important step.
They tell you to:
Set a date
Choose a venue
Make a guest list
Start a Pinterest board
And yes—those things do matter. But when you start there, it’s easy to get lost in logistics and lose sight of why you’re doing any of it.
What you really need to do first is pause.
Just for a moment.
And ask:
“What kind of wedding do we actually want?”
Not what’s expected. Not what your friend did. Not what the internet says is trending.
What do you want this day to feel like—for the two of you, and for your guests?
This is what I call planning with a vision-first mindset. And it changes everything.
Why “vision-first” planning feels different
Because it honors what matters—before you fill in the rest.
Why “Vision-First” Makes Planning Easier
Most wedding stress doesn’t come from the size of your guest list or the number of decisions—it comes from not having a clear direction.
When you’re not sure what you’re aiming for, everything feels big.
Every choice feels urgent. Every opinion feels louder than your own.
But when you start with a strong vision, you suddenly have something to come back to. It becomes your anchor. Your compass.
Instead of asking:
“We want a rustic wedding. Should we book a barn venue or a vineyard?”
You ask:
“Which of these feels most aligned with the kind of experience we want to create?”
That’s a very different question. And it’s one that leads to better decisions—and fewer regrets.
If this feels more stressful than helpful—you’re not alone. The Visionary Wedding™ begins in a completely different way.
You Don’t Need to Be a Planner to Plan Beautifully
Here’s a little truth the wedding industry doesn’t say out loud:
You don’t have to be an expert to have a beautiful, well-planned wedding.
You just need the right kind of guidance.
I know that “planner brain” can feel like a full-time job. But planning isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about doing the right things in the right order—with support that makes the process feel doable.
If you’re more thoughtful than type-A...
If you care more about meaning than perfection...
If you’d rather create a heartfelt experience than a Pinterest checklist...
You’re in the right place. You’re not behind. And you’re not missing anything.
This is where it begins. Not with contracts or calendars, but with clarity.
Vision Before Venue
Here’s where so many brides (understandably) go off-track:
They book their venue before they’ve fully thought through the kind of wedding experience they want to create.
The problem?
Your venue shapes so much. It affects your style, budget, timeline, and guest list.
And if you pick one before getting clear on your vision, you might find yourself making all your other choices just to fit the space—not your heart.
Planning “vision-first” helps you avoid that. It gives you clarity that guides every other step with intention.
It’s not about being rigid or perfect. It’s about knowing what matters most—and letting that shape the rest.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Planning from a vision doesn’t mean ditching structure. It just means you start with you, not someone else’s checklist.
Here’s what it might look like:
You and your fiancé talk about how you want the day to feel
You list the top 3 values or priorities you both hold
You sketch a guest list that matches the kind of experience you want
You build a budget that reflects those priorities—not trends
Then, you move into vendor research, invitations, and other decisions—with clarity
This kind of planning feels calmer. Lighter. More honest.
And so much more rewarding.
If planning your wedding has you wondering, “Is there a better way?”
There is. And it’s coming.
Curious if there’s a better way to plan your wedding?
I’ve created a complete wedding planning course for brides who want to feel clear, confident, and calm—because I believe your wedding should be a reflection of your story, not just a list of tasks to complete.
The course walks you through how to:
Get crystal clear on your wedding vision (even if all you have is a Pinterest board)
Plan every detail around that vision—from your guest list to your budget to your invitations
Avoid overwhelm by doing things in the right order—with meaning behind every step
If that sounds like the kind of experience you’re craving, I’d love to invite you to explore the next step.
I’ve put together a free, no-pressure webinar that gives you a preview of the full course.
It’s a way to see if this approach is right for you—before you commit to anything.
Inside the webinar, you’ll learn:
Why most brides feel disconnected from the weddings they’re planning
What it really means to plan from a vision—not just a checklist
How this method helps you stay calm, organized, and emotionally grounded
Whether my full course is the right fit for you (and how to join if it is)
It’s gentle. It’s practical. And it’s designed to help you take a deep breath and say,
“Okay. I can do this.”
I have planned two of my own weddings. This approach was what I used to design and plan my second wedding, and it was everything!
The Visionary Wedding™ Course Preview Launches Soon
Join the waitlist to be the first to know when it open.
It’s time to start planning from the place that matters most—your vision.