2025 Brides: Start HERE – Your Ultimate Guide to Wedding Planning

Congratulations on your engagement! If you’ve just received that sparkly, exciting ring over the holidays, welcome to the first step of what will be an incredible journey. I’m Jamie Wolfer, your online wedding planner, and I’ve been helping couples navigate the wedding planning process for years. Whether this is your first time planning a wedding or you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of details, I’m here to guide you through the essential first steps to ensure your wedding day is stress-free, fun, and absolutely unforgettable.

Embrace the Moment, Then Get Started

Before diving headfirst into planning, take a moment to savor your engagement. Stare at your ring, post those social media updates, and bask in the joy of this new chapter. Trust me, I know the feeling—the way the sunlight hits your ring and creates a disco ball effect on your car ceiling is mesmerizing (just try not to get distracted while driving!). But once the initial excitement settles, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start organizing your big day.

Step 1: Set Your Wedding Budget

Setting a budget is the foundation of your entire wedding plan, yet it’s a step that often causes confusion. When I say “budget,” I’m referring to two things:

• The Big Number: The total amount you have available to spend.
• The Budget Breakdown: How you allocate that money across various wedding categories.

Start by looking at your accounts and figuring out your grand total. If family or friends are contributing, gather those numbers too. Having an honest conversation about money can be tricky, so if you need help navigating those “hard money talks,” I offer a downloadable guide that simplifies the process.

Remember, your budget number can be flexible. Maybe your range is $5,000 to $20,000, and that’s perfectly fine. On this channel, we celebrate all budgets—no shame here! From intimate $5K weddings to grand $20K affairs, every budget is welcome.

Creating a Practical Budget Breakdown

Once you have your total budget, it’s time to assign funds to each category. This is where many couples get stuck, so I’ve created detailed resources and even a full planning system called The Master Plan that walks you through the budgeting process step-by-step. Whether you love spreadsheets or prefer to keep things simple, it’s vital to allocate your funds thoughtfully.

A key tip: Be realistic about your venue budget. For example, if you have a $10,000 total budget, spending $7,000 on the venue alone might leave you scrambling for other essentials. Start reaching out to vendors early to get quotes and see if your budget allocations are practical for your desired location and services.

Step 2: Determine Your Guest List

Your guest count is often the biggest budget driver. Every person you invite affects costs—think place settings, food, drinks, and more. A guest list of 300 will cost significantly more than one with 100.

Take your time creating your guest list. It’s okay if it evolves over weeks as you remember important people. If you find this process stressful, I have a dedicated video on guest list dos and don’ts to help you make thoughtful decisions about who to invite.

Step 3: Choose Your Wedding Date or Season

Next, narrow down your wedding date or at least a range of potential dates. For example, if you’re dreaming of a fall wedding, consider a few weekends in September or October. Having flexibility here can ease the pressure of venue availability and pricing.

If you’re set on a specific date, be prepared that it might limit your venue options, especially if your date is within a popular wedding season. But don’t stress—there are always ways to make it work.

Step 4: Start Venue Hunting

With your budget, guest count, and date range in hand, you’re ready to start looking for venues. A common question is, “How far in advance should I book my venue?” Generally, 12 to 18 months ahead is recommended, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule.

If you just got engaged recently and want to get married sooner, don’t panic. Weddings have been planned in shorter time frames successfully. You may need to be more flexible with your date, budget, or expectations, but you will find the perfect place.

Step 5: Decide How You’ll Get Wedding Planning Support

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, which is why wedding planners exist! They ease stress, help you save money, and connect you with trusted vendors. If your budget allows, hiring a planner can be a game-changer. They take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on the fun parts.

However, I understand that planners aren’t for everyone due to cost. Luckily, there are alternative options:

• Consultation Calls: You can book a 30 or 60-minute call with a planner (including me!) to get personalized advice and guidance.
• Month-of Coordinator: Also known as a “day-of coordinator,” this professional steps in closer to your wedding date to manage logistics and vendors.
• Online Planning Resources: For those who want to DIY with expert guidance, my Master Plan membership offers step-by-step support, live calls, and detailed planning tools for just $29 a month.

If you want to work with a planner trained by me, check out the Union Network. These planners are passionate about creating stress-free, beautiful weddings and can provide long-term planning, consultations, or month-of coordination.

Bonus Tips for a Smooth Wedding Planning Journey

• Get Educated: Learn about wedding traditions, timelines, and budgeting through trusted sources. Whether it’s friends, family, Pinterest, TikTok, or YouTube, knowledge is power.
• Use a Wedding Planning Checklist: Stay organized with a timeline that tells you what to do and when. I offer the ULTIMATE FREE Wedding Planning Checklist that’s packed with links to helpful videos and tools.
• Be Flexible and Kind to Yourself: Adjust your plans as needed and remember that your wedding is about celebrating your love. Some things will go perfectly, others might not, and that’s okay.

Wrapping It All Up

To recap, here’s your roadmap to getting started on your wedding planning journey:

1. Celebrate your engagement and soak in the excitement.
2. Set your grand budget number and create a detailed budget breakdown.
3. Compile your guest list thoughtfully and patiently.
4. Pick a date or season that works for you.
5. Start venue hunting armed with your budget and guest count.
6. Decide how you’ll get planning support—whether that’s a full planner, consultations, or online resources.

And remember, you deserve a wedding day that’s as stress-free and joyful as possible. If you want to share your ring pictures or just need someone to squeal with, find me on Instagram at @wolferandco. I’m excited to follow your journey and support you every step of the way!

Happy planning, and here’s to making your dream wedding a reality!