First things first—congratulations! 🎉 You just got engaged, and you may be wondering, “where do I start?” Wedding planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming (or make you question all your life choices). The key? Taking it one step at a time.
And guess what? I’m making it even easier for you. I created a FREE wedding planning checklist that breaks everything down into bite-sized, check-off-able tasks, so you can keep your planning stress-free. You can download it [here]—but first, let’s talk through the 6 steps to getting this wedding planned!
Step 1: Pick Your Venue & Set Your Date
Before you do anything else, lock in your venue. It sets the tone for everything—your date, guest count, your wedding dress style, and even which vendors you’ll need. Not sure where to start? Ask yourself:
✅ Do I want an ocean, vineyard, garden, or mountain backdrop?
✅ Do I want a venue that takes care of everything or one where I can customize it to our exact vision and bring in my own vendors?
✅ What’s my rough guest count?
Once you have answers to these, start touring! (And if you need venue recs, I’ve got plenty all around the Bay Area and on Oahu, just reach out to me HERE!)
Step 2: Book Your Key Vendors ASAP
Your dream vendors? They book up FAST. Like, over-a-year-in-advance fast. Here’s who to secure early:
📸 Photographer & Videographer (Hi, I’m Kristen and travel world-wide — let’s chat! 😉)
📋 Wedding Planner or Coordinator (if you want to stay stress-free)
🍽️ Caterer (especially for venues where you bring your own)
🎶 DJ/Band (because awkward silence = not the vibe)
Pro Tip: Prioritize vendors that can only do one wedding per day (like your photographer), then move on to things like rentals, florals, and decor.
Step 3: Start Dreaming Up Your Wedding Vibe
Now for the fun part! Pinterest boards, color palettes, and all the little details that make your wedding feel like YOU.
🎨 Choose your colors (Timeless neutrals? Fun and bold? Earthy and romantic? Chic & Trendy?)
💐 Pick a floral style (Lush and garden-y? Minimalist and modern?)
🎭 Decide on the vibe (Classic and elegant? Boho and relaxed? A full-on party?)
Once you’ve got the vision locked in, planning decisions become WAY easier.
Step 4: Get Your Guest List & Budget in Check
I know, I know—guest lists and budgets aren’t the fun part of wedding planning. But trust me, figuring these out early, and sticking to it, will make everything else smoother.
📍 Guest List Tip: Start with your must-have people first. Then, based on your venue capacity (and budget), add more as needed.
💸 Budget Tip: Prioritize what matters MOST to you. Love photography? Invest in it. Foodies? Splurge on catering, food trucks, coffee bars, or whatever screams “this is us!” to your guests. Want big dance floor energy? Book the DJ or Live Band of your dreams so you can be sure they’ll get the party going, leaving the dancefloor full and those seats at the tables empty.
Step 5: Dress Shopping & Wedding Party Fun
Once your date is set, it’s time to find the dress! Most wedding dresses take 6-9 months to arrive, so start early.
👗 Bridal gown shopping: Book your first appointment and bring only 2-3 trusted opinions. Too many voices = overwhelming! Keep your venue in mind when selecting your wedding gown and keep in mind that pure white gowns can photograph blue. Want to know more about how to choose your gown? Be sure to check out THIS post!
💃 Bridesmaid & Groomsmen: Let them know what they need to wear and when to order. If you are having them choose their own style in a specific color, I highly recommend the same material dress from the same company. Azazie and Revelry are popular online boutiques for Bridesmaids Dresses.
Step 6: Take It One Step at a Time (With My Free Checklist!)
Wedding planning doesn’t have to feel like a second full-time job. Break it down in to bite-sized steps, stay organized, and most importantly—make it fun!
And because I want this to be as easy as possible for you, I created a FREE Canva wedding planning checklist you can download here ⬇️
👉 Grab Your Free Wedding Checklist!
Not sure where to start with venues? I’ve photographed weddings at some of the most stunning locations in the Bay Area, from vineyards to elegant estates. Check out my favorite Bay Area wedding venues for inspiration and insider tips on finding the perfect backdrop for your day!
Planning a wedding comes with a million decisions, but photography doesn’t have to be one of the stressful ones. I’m Kristen, a Napa wedding photographer who blends editorial and documentary-style photography to capture your day with a touch of humor and a whole lot of heart. From choosing the perfect venue to creating a seamless timeline, I’m here to make the process easier (and way more fun!).
Need expert advice? Let’s chat—reach out, and let’s bring your wedding vision to life! 🎉
