How To Get Started Planning Your Chicago Wedding

Photo: Matt Warren Photography

So you’re newly engaged and feeling overwhelmed with alllll of the videos and posts about wedding planning tips, tricks and trends, huh? Because absolutely none of us have time for this shit, I’m going to give you 4 quick action items to help you get started planning, simply.

GET ORGANIZED

You will never in your life sign more contracts and pay more deposits at one time than you will while planning your wedding, so you have to stay organized. Whether you choose to DIY your own spreadsheets and system through google, purchase a membership for a professional wedding planning software, or hire a pro (I know one that is really funny and cool) that already has the systems built, you need SOMETHING to keep you organized.

DECIDE WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT

Most couples that have their first call with me have a guest count and a budget that just don’t align. And no matter how much of a “magician angel” I am (thanks forever for that one Caitlyn), I can’t make the math math. So, it’s important to decide which hill you’re going to die on: the guest count or the budget. Once you know your priority, a pro (or the endless content in internetland) can guide you in setting the other.

DISCUSS A GENERAL VISION

Whether that vision is an aesthetic or a vibe, or knowing what you absolutely don’t want, having some direction of where you want to go (or not go) will help guide conversations like location, target date, and spending expectations.

CONSULT WITH A PLANNER

Listen, it doesn't have to me (but if you’re also cool, it’d be super cool if it were me) AND a little secret, you don’t even have to hire them (or anyone), but at least schedule a call with a professional wedding planner to find out if your expectations are reasonable. Truly the most heartbreaking experience for me as a professional planner is connecting with a couple that is too far down a road that either they don’t like or can’t afford. Schedule the call, learn about what a planner can do for you and ask a few questions to make sure you’re getting started WELL.

Planning a wedding isn’t hard, but it is COMPLICATED. If you want a pal to spend the next year making wedding planning suck a little less, you can schedule a consultation here. And at a minimum, come back next week and get some free 99 advice on budgeting for a Chicago Wedding!