Let the celebration begin! You’ve said yes and will be marrying the love of your life but now what? Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and have to-do lists that seem to never end. So where do you start?

First things first, try and figure out when you’ll be tying the knot. An exact date doesn’t have to be nailed down but having a timeframe and season will help.

Next, try and set an overall budget with your fiancé. Some flexibility is wonderful but having an idea on exactly how much you can afford will help your future planner navigate what vendors and venue are worth sharing. This is also a great time to discuss any financial contributions from family members.

Finally, set your search on the big ticket vendors first. Think planners, venue, photographers- the ones who probably only have one wedding a day. Booking a planner first can help ease the frustration of venue and other vendor searches! The planner can help curate a list of suggestions for reputable vendors and ones that will match your personalities and vision.

Wedding planning can be equally stressful and fun. Getting started often can seem like the most daunting task but with good communication, a planner, and some deep breaths, the fun starts to happen and stress will melt away.