Starting Your Wedding Planning Journey

You’ve got the ring, the excitement is real, and suddenly everyone is asking questions. Dates, venues, guest lists, colours, budgets. It can go from joyful to overwhelming very quickly.

If you are at the very beginning of your wedding planning journey and wondering where on earth to start, you are not alone. I work with couples across Devon, Cornwall and the UK who feel exactly the same way.

This guide is designed to help you take your first steps calmly, clearly and confidently. Whether you are planning everything yourself or thinking about support later on, these foundations will make the rest of your planning so much easier.

Before you plan anything, pause for a moment

Here is the reframe I always offer couples. Wedding planning is not a race. There is no correct speed and no perfect timeline.

The strongest weddings I work on always start with clarity, not bookings.

Before you open Pinterest or message venues, sit down together and talk about what matters most to you. Not what you think a wedding should look like, but what you want it to feel like.

This one conversation shapes every decision that follows.

What are the steps to planning a wedding?

This is one of the most searched wedding planning questions, and for good reason.

Here is a clear, realistic order that works in the real world:

1. Set your priorities

Decide what matters most. This could be your venue, your guest experience, your food, or your photography. You cannot prioritise everything, and that is okay.

2. Agree a rough budget

It does not need to be perfect, but you need a ballpark figure early on. This will guide every choice and avoid disappointment later.

3. Choose your date or season

Be flexible if you can. This gives you more venue and supplier options and often saves money.

4. Create an initial guest list

This affects your venue size, catering costs and overall atmosphere.

5. Book your venue

This sets the tone for everything else.

6. Secure key suppliers

Think catering, photography, entertainment and florals.

7. Build your timeline

Not just for the day itself, but for planning milestones too.

In what order should a wedding be planned?

Couples often worry they are doing things “wrong”. The truth is there is flexibility, but some things are best done early.

I once worked with a couple who booked their band before securing a venue. The venue had strict sound restrictions, which meant replanning their evening entertainment. Doing things in order avoids this kind of stress.

Here is the most effective order:

• Vision and priorities
• Budget
• Guest list
• Venue
• Ceremony type
• Catering
• Photography and videography
• Styling and décor
• Entertainment
• Make-up and hair
• Stationery and finishing touches

What is the 50 20 30 rule for weddings?

This is a simple budgeting guideline that many couples find helpful.

• 50 percent on venue, food and drink
• 20 percent on priority suppliers like photography, florals and entertainment
• 30 percent on everything else including outfits, stationery, décor and extras

This rule is not fixed, but it helps keep spending balanced and prevents over investing in one area at the expense of guest experience.

What is the 30 5 rule for weddings?

This rule focuses more on priorities than money.

• 30 percent of your budget should go on the things you will remember forever
• 5 percent on trends or details you love but could live without

For example, couples often remember how their ceremony felt and how the evening flowed, but not necessarily the exact napkin colour. Spend wisely where it counts.

WEDDING PLANNING TIPS MOST PEOPLE DO NOT TELL YOU

This is where experience really matters.

Think about logistics early

Access times, supplier load in, power availability, parking and wet weather plans are often overlooked and cause last minute stress.

Your timeline needs breathing space

Build in buffer time. Things always take longer than expected, especially on the morning of the wedding.

Suppliers need clear communication

Clear instructions and realistic timings help your suppliers do their best work.

Décor should support flow

Pretty is important, but so is guest movement, visibility and comfort.

Someone needs to run the day

Even the most organised couples cannot be everywhere at once.

This is why many couples plan everything themselves but choose on the day coordination. It allows you to enjoy the day without managing it.

Wedding planning trends worth knowing

Recent industry insights show couples are prioritising:

• Guest experience over excess styling
• Flexible, relaxed timelines
• Thoughtful colour palettes
• Smaller, more intentional details
• Calm, organised wedding days

These trends reflect a shift toward weddings that feel good, not just look good.

You can explore more industry insight via:
• Hitched UK
• Love My Dress
• Rock My Wedding

Planning yourself does not mean doing it alone

You can absolutely plan your own wedding and still have professional support where it matters most.

Many couples I work with plan everything themselves and then bring me in to manage the day. That way, their plans are protected and they can fully enjoy what they have created.

Just remember, wedding planning does not need to feel overwhelming. With the right foundations, a realistic timeline and thoughtful decisions, it can be an enjoyable experience.

If you would like guidance, reassurance or on the day support, I would love to chat. Get in touch and let us make your wedding feel exactly as it should.