You’re Engaged – Now What?

So you’re engaged. The ring is on, you’ve told everyone the good news, and now you’re staring at the big question: where do you even start with wedding planning? It can feel overwhelming. Pinterest boards full of perfect weddings. Friends giving advice about vendors you’ve never heard of. Your mum asking about guest lists when you haven’t even thought about the date yet.

Take a breath. Wedding planning doesn’t have to be stressful from day one. Here’s how to start without losing your mind.

Step 1: Sit Down and Talk First

Before you book anything or make any big decisions, spend some time talking together. Just the two of you. This isn’t about picking colors or choosing venues yet. It’s about making sure you both want the same kind of day.

In our previous blog, we covered how to have these conversations – the questions to ask and how to align your vision without arguing. You can read that here.

Think of this chat as your foundation. When you’re both clear on what matters most, every other decision becomes easier. You’ll know if that expensive venue fits your vision or if you’d rather spend money elsewhere.

Step 2: Set a Rough Budget

You don’t need exact numbers yet. Just a ballpark figure so you can make decisions that make sense. Sit down and work out what you can realistically spend. Include:

• What you’ve saved already
• How much family might contribute
• What you can save between now and your wedding
• Whether you’re happy to use credit for anything

Then think about the big categories:

• Venue and catering (usually the biggest chunk)
• Photography (because those memories last forever)
• Attire for both of you
• Music and entertainment
• Flowers and decorations
• Everything else

Don’t stress about getting it perfect. This budget will change as you learn more about costs. But having a rough guide stops you falling in love with things you can’t afford.

Step 3: Write Down Your Guest List

Get a piece of paper and write down everyone you definitely want at your wedding. Don’t worry about plus ones or distant relatives yet. Just the people who matter most. This list helps with everything else:

• How big a venue you need
• Catering costs per person
• Whether you want an intimate celebration or big party

You can always add or remove people later. But knowing if you’re planning for 50 people or 150 makes every other decision clearer.

Step 4: Pick Your Date or Season

Do you have a specific date in mind? Maybe it’s the anniversary of when you met. Or do you just know you want a summer wedding? Things to think about:

• When are your closest family and friends available?
• What’s the weather like at different times of year in Scotland?
• Are you flexible or set on one particular date?
• Do you want to avoid busy wedding seasons to save money?

Being flexible with dates often means more venue choices and better prices. But if that one special date matters to you, that’s fine too.

Step 5: Start Looking at Vendors

Now comes the fun part – researching the people who’ll make your day happen. Start with the big ones:

• Venue (this often determines your date)
• Photographer (good ones book up early, especially in Glasgow and central Scotland)
• Catering (if not included with venue)

Don’t feel like you need to book everyone straight away. This stage is about seeing what’s out there, what things cost, and who you connect with. Make a list of vendors you like. Check their availability for your dates. Get rough prices. But don’t rush into any big decisions yet.

Step 6: Get Organized

Wedding planning involves a lot of information. Vendor contacts, price quotes, ideas you like, questions you need to ask. Find a system that works for you:

• A simple notebook for jotting things down
• A spreadsheet to track vendors and costs
• A wedding planning app if you like having everything digital
• Pinterest boards for saving ideas

The key is keeping everything in one place. When you’re comparing photographers or venues, you want to find all your notes easily.

Take It One Step at a Time

Wedding planning doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with these steps and take your time with each one. Remember, this should be exciting, not stressful. You’re planning a celebration of your relationship. If it starts feeling overwhelming, step back and focus on what really matters – marrying each other.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve worked through these first steps, you’ll be ready to start making real decisions about vendors and venues. In our next blog, we’ll talk about the practical steps that come after these initial decisions. How to contact vendors, what questions to ask, and how to make choices you’ll be happy with.

If you’re starting to think about wedding photography and want to chat about your vision, then get in touch. As a Glasgow wedding photographer covering central Scotland and north England, I love helping couples figure out what style of photography feels right for them, even if you’re still months away from booking.