New Year, New Ring: First Steps After Getting Engaged
5 steps to start your wedding planning journey

Congratulations! You said “yes” and now there’s a shiny new ring-3 to show off. Engagement season is an exciting whirlwind, with social media feeds full of loved-up nearlyweds, celebratory drinks, and more happy tears than a sappy movie night. But after the “holy shit, we’re engaged” moments settle, you might be asking: “Where do we even start?” Don’t worry - I’ve got you!
Let’s break down the first steps to planning your dream wedding so it feels as fun and uncomplicated as saying “yes” in the first place.
Step 1: Celebrate your engagement
First things first: soak it all in. Make this milestone special in whatever way feels most like you, whether you throw a party, book an engagement photoshoot, or pop some bubbly with just you and your partner/s. Love an alternative vibe? Try a cosplay-inspired photo shoot or a game night with friends to celebrate your way.
Pro Tip: Use this time to snap some share-worthy pics for your “We’re engaged!” post (and maybe even sneak in a subtle nod to your wedding theme if you’ve already got an idea of what it will be).
Step 2: Discuss your ‘wedding vision’
Before diving into Pinterest boards and wedding checklists, sit down with your partner/s to discuss the big picture. What’s your dream wedding vibe? Nerdy and intimate? Glamorous and OTT? Or maybe something in between? Think about the themes, priorities, and, yes, the budget.
THEN, you can start scrolling through Pinterest, socials and flicking through wedding magazines to find inspo.
Pro Tip: Organise a date night where you can chat about what a wedding means to each of you, what you would love to have at yours, things that you definitely wouldn’t want to include, and the things that would be a nice extra if you have the time/money after the rest has been organised.
This is also the perfect time to talk about what traditions you want to embrace - or toss aside.
Step 3: Set the date
What time of year would mean the most to you and your partner/s? Do you have a preferred season or date to get married?
Once you have an idea of the kind of wedding you want, and when you would love it to take place, you can start looking at which venues would be able to bring the magic.
Step 4: Create a Basic Timeline
Once you’ve got a vision and an idea on dates, map out a rough timeline - for your planning journey, not the celebrations themselves just yet.
Not every wedding takes a full year (or more) to plan, some nearlyweds get everything sorted within a few months, but knowing your key milestones - like venue bookings and supplier contracts - will help keep things manageable.
Give yourselves a realistic timescale that works around your schedules, budgeting, and relationship keeping in mind not to rush yourselves and put unnecessary pressure onto your shoulders.
Step 5: Build Your Dream Team
Book your wedding planning wizard (aka me), to help you along every step of your wedding planning journey, because who doesn’t want their wedding celebrations to be stress-free and magical?
Wedding pro’s are the secret sauce to a stress-free wedding. Look for people who align with your values, especially if inclusivity is a priority. From LGBTQIA+ celebrants to neurodiverse-friendly photographers, finding the right professionals will make your day unforgettable.
Bonus points for suppliers who really get your wedding vision. (A geeky wedding planner, like yours truly, might even come with a few magic tricks up their sleeves.)
Pro Tip: When it comes to planners, hair & make up artists, photographers, videographers and content creators, make sure you vibe with them. You’ll be spending a LOT of time together on your wedding day/s so it makes things smoother if you get along well with them…
You’ve got this!
Start with these 5 steps to kick off your wedding planning journey (and don’t forget to celebrate all the big and small steps you make towards making your dream wedding a reality 🥂).
If you want a bit more of a list to launch yourself into your wedding planning journey I have made an initial checklist for you to access for FREE, just follow the link below
Grab your FREE wedding checklists here
Need a more hands on support method before making a start on your magical wedding celebrations? Feeling overwhelmed? My wedding planning packages are here to help.
Ready to dive in? Let’s chat about your unique wedding vision.
Book a free consultation today, and let’s turn your ideas into a plan worthy of its own fandom.