You’re engaged, now what? 7 helpful tips to get you started
Congratulations—you’re engaged! This is such an exciting time, and while wedding planning can feel overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Before diving headfirst into the details, here are seven tips to help you start your journey stress-free.
No. 1: Enjoy being engaged
First things first—celebrate! You’re marrying your best friend, and that’s worth savoring. Take some time to soak in the excitement before rushing into planning.
Even once you start the planning process, make sure wedding talk doesn’t take over every conversation. Set aside specific times for planning discussions, but keep date nights wedding-free so you can enjoy each other’s company without the stress.
No. 2: Know your priorities
What matters most to you both? The food? The music? The overall vibe? Before making any big decisions, sit down together and list out all the elements of a wedding. Rank them in order of importance so you can focus your time, energy, and—most importantly—budget on what truly matters to you.
No. 3: Set a (realistic) budget and try and stick to it
This one is crucial—set a realistic budget early on. If you're not working with a wedding planner who can create a budget tracker for you, start your own spreadsheet.
Keep track of everything, including the small expenses that tend to add up—candles, transport, dress alterations, and more. Regularly reviewing your budget will help prevent any unexpected surprises down the line.
No. 4: Finding your dream venue
Picking a venue can be overwhelming, but starting early helps! Research online to shortlist five or so venues that align with your vision and budget. Before falling in love with a space, crunch some quick numbers to ensure it's financially feasible.
And here’s a key tip—keep an open mind! Sometimes the venue you least expect ends up being the perfect fit. Venues can surprise you, so try not to get too attached before seeing them in person
No. 5: Add Supplier payment dates to your calendar
As you book your suppliers, make sure you're saving their invoices to a dedicated folder and also add your suppliers payment dates to your calendars. This will help you better manage when you’ve got to make payments and make sure no payments get missed.
No. 6: The Blessing (and Curse) of Pinterest & Instagram
Social media will soon flood your feed with wedding inspiration. While platforms like Pinterest and Instagram can be great for ideas, they can also lead to unrealistic expectations—especially when it comes to cost.
Save ideas that truly resonate with your vision, but don’t feel pressured to recreate everything you see. A good wedding planner will help balance your budget while still bringing your dream wedding to life, finding smart, effective ways to use your budget and maximise impact.
No. 7: Stay organized
Find a system that works for you! Whether it's Trello, a spreadsheet, a checklist, or good old sticky notes, staying organized is key.
I recommend creating a timeline with tasks broken down by month. This way, you’ll have a clear roadmap of what needs to be done, making the process feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Wedding planning should be exciting, not stressful. By setting priorities, staying organized, and taking time to enjoy being engaged, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth and enjoyable journey toward your big day.
And if you’d like a hand, a quick chat, some advice, let me know, I’d be happy to help 🤍
Happy planning!
Lucy xx
Lucy Norton is a Surrey, UK based wedding planner. Looking for a wedding planner or day of coordinator? Please do get in touch: hello@lucynortonevents.co.uk
Photo Credit: Chloe Martin Photography