You’re engaged! Let’s go over some wedding planning tips!
This is a VERY exciting time for you and your partner. It’s new, it’s fresh and you probably feel like you want all the wedding planning tips! Once all those newly-engaged butterfly feels whirl away, you’re ready to get down to wedding planning business. Everything that goes into planning a wedding may seem overwhelming and intimidating for a lot of couples who don’t know where to start.
I have talked with SO many couples who are in the beginning stages of planning their wedding and they feel like there is just so much to do. Truth is, there is a lot that goes into a wedding, but we don’t need to think about all those things all at once, it’s overwhelming. Keep it simple, take one step at a time, and make a plan.
Here are a few key points to think about when you begin to plan your wedding:
Wedding or Elopement?
What does your wedding look like? Will you have a traditional wedding, micro wedding, elopement, or an adventure elopement? There are so many types of wedding styles these days and you’ll find that your traditional wedding isn’t so common anymore. Depending on the type of wedding you want, it will help you find the wedding planning tips that fit your needs.
Yes, huge weddings still happen all the time, but couples who aren’t big on huge parties, or don’t want to spend $50,000+, seem to be taking an alternative route to getting hitched and that is with elopements, or adventure elopement. Elopements are 20 people max. Check out 4 Reasons to Elope in Lake Tahoe and my Lake Tahoe Elopement Guide.
Ready to ditch the big wedding stress and plan something more you? Let’s chat.
Wedding Photography – Wedding Planning Tips
Are you ready to have the big wedding of your dreams!? We can bring you a husband and wife team for your dream wedding! We always have so much fun with our couples!
An intimate Elopement at Sand Harbor.
– Adventure Elopement
Let’s adventure on the trail! An adventure elopement is exactly what it sounds like.. an adventure! Naturally, we feel connected with nature one way or another and I have worked with so many couples who say that their “happy place” is outdoors. Now I’m not saying everyone is into the wilderness vibes, but a lot of couples are and choose to explore nature and get married all in one experience.
The types of couples who want an adventure elopement or wedding, are the couples who love to explore and love to travel. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider an adventure for your wedding day. The best thing about an adventure elopement or wedding is, you can do whatever you want and your photographer (hopefully me!) will capture the entire adventure along the way.
– When to take engagement photos
I always suggest to have the engagement photos done sooner rather than later. Now, I’ve had couples want to postpone their engagement sessions because they wanted to have it done during a certain season and this is totally fine! If you are not on any kind of time constraint, like needing photos for Save the Dates (which go out one year in advance), then you have the flexibility to do the session whenever you want. I have booked “last-minute” weddings and did the couples’ engagement session 1 month before their date. Now, if you want your photos back in time to send out for invitations, you’ll want to do your engagement session at least 6-7 months before, this way you can aim to have your invitations out 5 months before the wedding.
– Budget
Here is the subject that all couples love talking about (not really!), the wedding budget. What is your budget for your wedding? What are you willing to spend? $25k? $50k? $75k+? Do you have any money saved to put towards your wedding? How much do you want to be paying for your wedding after its over? So many things to think about when it comes to wedding spending, it can add up very quickly!
Once you start looking at different venues, you’ll get an idea of how much everything is going to cost. There are many DIY options, but its important to decide what is MOST important to you on your wedding day. Keep in mind, cheap is not always the best route as you do get what you pay for.
– I have an idea of what my wedding budget is, now what?
You have your budget set, now ask yourself, what is most important? Is it the venue, the weddings photos, or the dessert? For example, if having a popular venue is important to you, then you’ll want to have a higher budget. Be sure to get quotes from 3 different venues and compare what each one has to offer.
Once you book your venue, the wedding photographer will be the next vendor you’ll want to book. Be sure to think about what you are willing to spend and the style of wedding photography you’ll want. I would highly recommend having a larger budget for a photographer (yes, it’s an investment!). Especially, if you are getting married at a dreamy venue or doing an adventure elopement in a gorgeous location.
– Remember to relax!
Planning a wedding can be stressful, I get it, but remember it doesn’t have to be. Like I mentioned before, take one step at a time, and don’t try to think about everything all at once. If it all just seems like too much, hire a wedding planner! A wedding planner will take the load off your shoulders which means, you get to relax more.
Thinking About Skipping the Big Wedding?
If the idea of a big wedding makes you feel more stressed than excited, you’re not alone. You can skip the drama, ditch the pressure, and still have a day that feels completely “you.”
Eloping lets you slow down, breathe, and actually enjoy your day—with no audience, no strict timelines, and no one telling you how it should be. Whether it’s just the two of you or a few of your favorite people in a gorgeous spot like Tahoe or Yosemite, your elopement can be intentional, beautiful, and totally unforgettable.
If this feels like your vibe, reach out—I’d love to help you plan something amazing.
