So, you’ve got the ring and – more importantly – the person you want to spend your life with! Now what? The thought of planning your wedding can be overwhelming, and getting started is the hardest part! There are so many pieces that need to fall into place before you can see the big picture. Here are a few helpful tips on how to start planning your dream wedding:

Feed the Dream

A girl can dream, right? Talk to your partner and decide what your dream wedding looks like. When you think of your big day, what do you see? Are you in a big church? Are you outdoors with your closest friends and family? Are you in a local hall dancing the night away?

Before you start planning, get a vision of what you want your day to look like, and then go from there. And remember, it’s okay if this vision changes slightly as you start your research.

Set a budget

Unfortunately, most weddings aren’t cheap. According to The Knot, in 2019 the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. was about $34,000 (Yikes!). Of course, that number isn’t right for everyone, and it’s important to know and stick to your budget so you’re not starting your life together in debt.

Having a cost in mind before you start researching vendors is key. Also, decide which vendors you’re willing to splurge on. Is music super important to the both of you? If so, maybe you’ll spend a little more on your DJ or entertainment and make sacrifices elsewhere.

Set the date

Setting a wedding date can be simultaneously scary and exciting. Once you choose a date, the countdown clock starts ticking. However, this big step is necessary to get to all of the other steps. You need to know your date so you can start researching and booking your vendors.

Find a venue

Once you have a vision, a budget, and a date in mind, you can start looking for your dream wedding venue. This part of the process can be fun. Make a day of it! Schedule a tour, and then plan to grab lunch or dinner near the venue.

When scheduling tours, make sure you keep your budget in mind. It may even be a good idea to find out what the base cost is first, that way, you won’t fall in love with something that is over your wedding budget. Also, try to be flexible with your date. During busy seasons, your date may not be available, or maybe the venue offers a discounted rate to have your big event on a Friday instead of a Saturday. Having your wedding during the off season, or on a Friday, could help make your dream venue affordable.

Choose your colors

This sounds like a simple step, but it actually sets the rest of your wedding planning in motion. Once you choose your colors, you can choose your bridal party attire, invitations, flowers, and décor for the big day. Knowing your color palate will help you add clarity to your overall vision.

Tip: Already stressed out? Consider hiring a wedding planner to help you organize everything for your big day. That way, you can delegate tasks and shape your wedding day without all the stress.

No matter what details you choose, remember that in the end all that matters is the person standing next to you and being officially married! Good luck, and happy planning!