Feeling Stuck on Wedding Planning?
Plan With Confidence: 5 Steps to Start Your Wedding Planning
Where Do You Even Start With Wedding Planning? 5 Steps to Move From Stuck to Confident
You’ve been engaged for a minute now, and the Pinterest board is packed—but the actual planning part? Still sitting untouched. Maybe it’s the fear of what it’s all going to cost. Or not knowing where to begin. Or worrying you’ll make the wrong choice and be stuck with a venue or vendor that doesn’t feel like you. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to have it all figured out. The best weddings don’t start with a giant checklist. They start with one step.
After hosting hundreds of weddings at Emerson Fields (and working as a wedding photographer for nearly a decade), I’ve seen this season of “not yet planning” enough to know it’s not procrastination—it’s fear. Fear of making the wrong decision. Fear of overspending. Fear of missing out on something better. But when couples take even a small step forward with confidence, everything starts to click into place.
So if you’re not sure where to begin, here are five actionable steps to move from overwhelmed to actually excited about planning:
1. Don’t Try to Plan It All at Once
You don’t need to have your color palette, signature drink, and DJ playlist picked out to start planning. In fact, trying to do it all at once is exactly what causes burnout and decision fatigue.
Instead, think of wedding planning in phases. You only need to make one or two key decisions to get the momentum going—and once those are in place, the rest will follow naturally. The first step? Get a sense of your guest count and what kind of wedding experience you want (laid-back and fun? elevated but still personal?). From there, you’ll be able to make decisions that align with your priorities, not everyone else’s expectations.
A Quick overview of wedding planning phases:
Phase One: Venue, Date, Celebrate!
Phase Two: Book the Big Three (photographer, caterer, DJ)
Phase Three: Fine‑Tune & Finalize (timeline, details, remaining vendors)
Beautiful July outdoor wedding ceremony at Emerson Fields.
2. Start With a Family Budget Meeting
Money is one of the biggest reasons couples hesitate to start planning—and for good reason. Weddings are quite an investment. But they don’t have to be unpredictable or the cause of stress.
Set aside time to meet with anyone who might be contributing financially and get clear on the total budget. This doesn’t need to be a formal sit-down with spreadsheets (unless you’re into that)—just an honest conversation about what’s comfortable. Once you know your number, you can allocate funds in a way that makes sense for you.
Tip: Your venue typically makes up about 30% of your budget if it does not include food. If you’re looking at all-inclusive options (which include catering), that percentage can rise over 50%. Keeping that in mind as you evaluate venues will help you set realistic goals and avoid sticker shock down the road.
Bonus Tip: It’s okay to ask your venue (or any of your vendors, for that matter) how much a typical couple spends with them, and it will help you align your expectations.
3. Narrow Your Venue Choices to Three Solid Options
Venue hunting can be fun… but it’s also one of the easiest ways to get overwhelmed. There are so many beautiful spaces, and Instagram can make them all look perfect. But every venue isn’t going to work for your guest count, your budget, or your vibe—and that’s okay.
Start by filtering venues by three key factors:
Capacity – Will it comfortably hold your guests?
Budget – Is it within range when you factor in what’s included?
Vibe – Does it feel aligned with your style? Backyard chic, modern rustic, timeless elegance—your venue sets the tone for everything.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to your top 3 venues, schedule in-person tours (or virtual if needed). Being on-site can completely change how a space feels to you. You’ll notice how private it is, how it flows, and how accommodating the staff is.
Tip: Ask about flexibility for things like room flips, cocktail hour, ceremony options, and plan B. Additionally, be sure to ask if there are any fees for these services. At Emerson Fields, we work with couples to customize everything and plan in phases, because we know it feels safer when you're not locked into every detail from day one. Flexibility is a huge part of our yes-minded philosophy.
4. Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations
Before booking any major vendor—especially your venue, photographer, caterer, DJ, or florist—do your homework. Read reviews, look at galleries or portfolios, and ask others what their experiences were like. It’s okay to ask vendors and venues for references.
The best vendors aren’t just talented—they’re organized communicators, problem-solvers, and team players. You want people who are going to make your day easier, not more stressful. Reviews will tell you a lot, not just about the service, but about how couples felt working with them.
As someone who’s worked behind the camera, I can tell you that the best days are built by teams who collaborate well and know how to handle the unexpected with grace. You deserve that kind of experience. Emerson Fields has a trained and seasoned team that excels at this.
5. Trust Your Gut When It Feels Right (or Wrong)
Once you’ve toured a venue or met with a vendor, you’ll step away with a feeling. Did it feel warm and welcoming? Could you see yourself getting married there? Did the team make you feel confident and cared for?
At the end of the day, your instincts matter the most. Trust them. The right decision isn’t always the cheapest or trendiest—it’s the one that makes you breathe a little easier. If you walk into a venue and feel like, yes, this could be it, that’s a really good sign. Don’t ignore it.
When you book the venue and set your date, you’ll be amazed at the clarity that follows. Your vision becomes real. Your planning timeline takes shape. And all of a sudden, the wedding you’ve been putting off feels exciting—and totally doable.
“At Emerson Fields, our secret sauce is in the onboarding experience, the consistent communication, and the seasoned recommendations we offer as part of the rental fee. Every couple deserves to feel confident in their wedding planning.”
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This—And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
You don’t have to be a professional event planner to plan a meaningful, beautiful wedding. You just need the right support and a space that feels like you. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxed outdoor ceremony, a candlelit dinner under the stars, or a fun dance party with your people—there’s a path forward that fits your vision and your budget.
At Emerson Fields, we’ve built more than just a venue—we’ve built a planning process that feels good. With flexible options, trusted vendor recommendations, and a team that cares deeply about your experience, we help couples go from unsure to confident every step of the way.
Whenever you're ready, we’ll be here.
Other blog resources that go behind the scenes of wedding planning: