Where do you start planning a wedding?

Talk about what matters

Each of you can choose three things you would like to experience: an intimate ceremony, time with family or a party with music, for example. Compare your choices and agree on priorities if you need to make trade-offs.

• How do you want to feel on the day?
• What is essential to each of you?
• What could you simplify or leave out?

Set your first boundaries

Discuss how much you can put towards the wedding without counting contributions that are not confirmed. Make an initial guest estimate, including partners and children, and choose a season or a range of dates.

Budget, guests and venue affect one another. If one changes, revisit the others before making a commitment. Not having an exact date yet is useful information, rather than a reason to stop planning.

Research with clear questions

Before comparing venues or quotes, ask each provider the same questions: capacity, availability, what is included, restrictions, payment terms and cancellation conditions. Confirm the scope and extra costs in writing. A lower quote may include fewer services.

• Will the venue fit your group comfortably and accessibly?
• What is included, and what must be booked separately?
• Which deadlines and conditions belong in the budget?

Choose one next decision

Instead of a huge list of obligations, choose an action that helps clarify the plan. Agree on who will handle it and when you will discuss it again. Record anything that still needs confirmation.

Review together

Set aside a short, regular time to look at decisions made, changes and open questions. A shared note can help. When you book a service, check its effect on the budget and keep the contract and deadlines somewhere easy to find.

Your next step does not have to be the most impressive. It needs to make the following decision clearer.