The hardest part of the planning process is getting started…
If you're newly engaged and already feeling overwhelmed by the thought of wedding planning... you're not alone. Honestly? The beginning is often the most stressful part.
That’s because before you can lock in your wedding date (arguably the first big milestone), there are four major things that have to align:
1. Budget 💸
Your budget sets the tone for everything. From your venue options to your guest list and vendor team, your budget is the foundation of your entire wedding planning process. At the end of the day, you are here to marry your favorite person ever, and I truly believe that that goal possible with any budget…BUT it all depends on your priorities
2. Guest Count 👥
Your guest count directly impacts your budget and your venue search. Whether you're planning something intimate or grand, having a rough idea of your headcount early on is essential. And if your guest count is your number one priority because of your large families, your desire for a big dance party, or your inability to trim it down, then you need to be prepared to make concessions elsewhere.
3. Ideal Timeframe 📆
Do you want a spring or fall wedding? A specific anniversary date? Or are you flexible depending on venue availability? Knowing your ideal timeframe helps narrow down your search quickly. If you are open and flexible on season and timeframe, then you will have more venue options at your disposal because venues can book up quickly!
4. Venue 🏛
Your venue determines your date, your style, your flow of events, and everything in between. But you can’t book a venue without knowing your budget and guest count. Our goal is always to help couples make sure that they aren’t
And that’s exactly why the start can feel like a logistical puzzle. You're trying to get four moving parts to line up before you can even say "save the date."
Here’s the Good News: You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
This is when hiring a wedding planner can be truly invaluable. I help couples navigate this exact phase — balancing priorities, identifying options that actually work, and building a solid foundation that sets the whole planning process up for success.
Once those four pillars are in place, everything else starts to flow.
So if you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or just ready for someone to guide you through those early (and overwhelming) steps, I'm here to help. And the Marian Frances Events team is here to help throughout the entire planning process.
Let’s get creative!
xo,
Marian
