A Realistic Guide to Starting Wedding Planning

You’re engaged. Congratulations!

Now what?

If you’re wondering how to actually start wedding planning without spiralling into Pinterest overwhelm, this is a simple, real-life guide to getting started — in a way that still lets you enjoy being engaged.

Your Recently Engaged Checklist

• Celebrate being engaged
• Tell your favourite people
• Insure your ring
• Start collecting inspiration
• Talk about budget and priorities
• Discover your wedding style
• Plan your engagement photos
• Choose your non-negotiables
• Decide on a season or date
• Start your guest list
• Choose your bridal party
• Book your venue
• Book your photographer
• Look into celebrants / priests/ pastors
• Research stylists and planners
• Plan your engagement celebration

First Things First: Be Engaged

Before you book anything, pin anything, or start spreadsheets — just sit in it for a second.

Go out for dinner, disappear for a weekend, celebrate properly. This part is short and you don’t get it back.

Plan Your Engagement Session

If you’re having engagement photos taken, now is usually a great time to organise them while you’re freshly engaged and needing some beautiful images to show to the world to spread the great news!

Not only does it give you beautiful photos for save the dates or your wedding website, but it also helps you get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day itself.

Most couples arrive nervous and leave saying, “That was way easier than we expected.”

I keep sessions relaxed, natural, and more focused on movement and connection than awkward posing.

If you’re looking for an engagement photographer in Perth click here. 

Tell Your People

Start with your closest people — in person if you can. It makes it feel real.

Then share it wider if you want. No pressure here.

Also… take a photo. Even if it’s a quick iPhone shot. I didn’t really want one at the time and now I’m very glad I have it.

Get Your Ring Insured

Not exciting, but important.

Better yet — delegate it to your fiancé. A gift probably shouldn’t come with admin.

Do it early, especially if you’ve got travel coming up or your current insurance won’t fully cover it. Future you will be very glad you sorted this straight away.

Start Getting Organised (Casually)

Start collecting ideas.

• Create a Pinterest board
• Save things on Instagram
• Start a notes folder

This isn’t about locking anything in. It’s just about seeing what you’re naturally drawn to — venues, dresses, colours, overall vibe.

Have the Budget Chat Early

I know… not the fun part.

But it matters.

Work out a rough number you’re both comfortable with — including any family contributions. Weddings add up quickly, and having this conversation early avoids a lot of stress later.

No one needs to go into major debt for one day.

Start Noticing Your Style

Follow a few photographers, venues, and stylists. Save anything you like.

Over time you’ll start to notice patterns — that’s when your style becomes clearer, and every decision starts feeling easier.

The same goes for your photographer. Look beyond Instagram highlights. Go through full galleries, read about them, and make sure you genuinely connect with them as people too as you will be spending the entire with them. Remembering that will help you pick someone perfect, not just someone who takes a nice photo.

Pick Your Top 5 Non-Negotiables (Each)

This is something I always recommend when couples first start planning, and honestly, every couple I’ve shared it with says it’s one of the most helpful things they did.

Before you get too far in, sit down together and each write a list of your top five non-negotiables.

These are the things that matter most to you — the parts of the day you don’t want to compromise on.

For example:

• Ceremony and reception at the same venue
• No early curfew because you want a proper party
• A great DJ that keeps the dancefloor full
• The perfect dress
• Amazing food (especially when food = culture/family)

Then, write a second list of the things you’re happy to be flexible on — your negotiables.

Things like:

• Cake (most people don’t eat it anyway)
• Cars (you can arrive in an Uber and no one will know)
• Invitations and stationery
• Sit-down vs cocktail reception
• Accommodation choices

Once you’ve both done this, compare lists.

The goal is to protect what matters most to each of you — and be more relaxed about the rest.

Because at some point, your wedding budget will get stretched or decisions will start to feel overwhelming. When that happens, you can come back to these lists and adjust the things that don’t matter as much instead of compromising on the things that do.

It sounds simple, but it makes wedding planning so much easier — and keeps you both on the same page from the start.

12–24 Months Before Your Wedding

Once you’re ready to properly start planning, focus on the big pieces first.

Set a Date (or Season)

Think about what kind of wedding you want:

• Summer or winter
• Indoor or outdoor
• Perth, destination, or somewhere in between

You don’t need an exact date straight away, but having a season helps when you start enquiring.

Work Out Your Guest List

Get a rough number together early — you’ll need this before you can book a venue.

Start a spreadsheet now. You’ll use it for everything later — RSVPs, seating plans, dietary requirements, the lot.

Choose Your Bridal Party

If you’re having one, lock it in early if it’s a no-brainer — they’re probably hanging for it anyway.

Book Your Wedding Venue

This is one of the biggest decisions and often the first thing you should book or at least check availability, while you check the date availability with your photographer.

Sometimes choosing a venue that can host both your ceremony and reception makes the day feel more seamless and relaxed.

Different venues suit different seasons, guest counts, and overall styles.

For example:

• Cottesloe Civic Centre and St George’s College are beautiful in summer and only take bookings a few months of the year
• Guildhall and Moana Hall work beautifully during winter
• Sandalford, Crown, and The Westin suit larger celebrations
• Lamont’s Bishops House is one of my favourite year-round options

View my favourite wedding venues in Perth here.

Book Your Photographer

Many sought-after photographers book out well in advance, especially during peak wedding season.

Look through full galleries, not just Instagram highlights. Choose someone whose work you consistently love — and more importantly, someone you genuinely feel comfortable around.

Your photographer is with you for most of the day, so connection matters just as much as the photos themselves.

View my wedding photography portfolio here.

Choose Your Celebrant

Pick someone who feels like you.

Ask them to read or show you video of a few full ceremonies as believe me, they differ a LOT!

The best one is someone with a similar personality and style to you in the way they address your guests and deliver your ceremony.

The right celebrant makes a huge difference to how your ceremony feels — not just for you, but for your guests too.

Book a Wedding Stylist/ Planner

By now, you probably have a clearer idea of your wedding aesthetic and what still feels like you months later.

Try not to get too caught up chasing trends. Choosing one or two modern elements can be fun, but the most timeless weddings are always the ones that feel personal rather than overly styled.

(Client of mine? Check your inbox for my vendor recommendations.)

Have an Engagement Party

Throw something fun — backyard drinks, a wine bar, dinner with friends, whatever feels like you.

It’s a great excuse to celebrate and also helps get your guest list and contact details started early.

And remember — not everyone invited to the engagement party has to be invited to the wedding, and vice versa.

Final Thoughts

Once these big pieces are locked in, everything else starts feeling a lot easier.

Your ideas will evolve — that’s completely normal. Don’t rush every decision too early. Let your style develop naturally and trust that it will all come together.

And most importantly — enjoy it!