First of all — congratulations! Getting engaged is such a special moment, and before anything else, you deserve to soak it all in. Whether it was a big surprise or something you’d talked about for a while, this is such an exciting chapter and one that goes by quickly.

If you’ve just said “yes” and are already feeling a little overwhelmed by wedding content, opinions, and timelines — you’re not alone. This post is here to gently guide you through what to do next, without the pressure to start planning everything straight away.

a couple newly engaged walk along a beach together.

Enjoy Your Engagement Bubble

Before you dive into wedding planning, give yourselves permission to simply enjoy being engaged. Celebrate with friends and family, pop the champagne, take a few photos, and sit in the excitement together.

There’s absolutely no rush to book venues or make decisions immediately. This engagement period is special in its own right, and it’s okay to enjoy it without turning it into a to-do list straight away.

A couple share an eskimo kiss as a newly engaged couple.

You Don’t Have to Start Planning Right Away

Social media can make it feel like everyone starts planning their wedding the moment they get engaged — but that really doesn’t have to be the case.

Take a breather. You don’t need to have a date, venue, or vision instantly. Wedding planning is a marathon, not a sprint, and starting slowly often leads to a much more enjoyable experience overall.

When planning my own wedding, we actually made the mistake of viewing a venue too soon. We almost booked it before realising it didn’t really suit us as a couple. It was such a good reminder that you don’t need to rush into decisions — especially if you’re not quite ready yet.

An engaged couple share a kiss on the cheek.

When You’re Ready, Start With the Big Picture

Once you do feel ready to begin, it helps to start with the foundations rather than the details. Think about:

A rough budget
An approximate guest count
The kind of day you want (relaxed, big party, intimate, outdoorsy, etc.)

These decisions don’t need to be perfect or final — they’re just guideposts that help shape everything else.

Create a Vision Board or Mind Map

This is where things can get fun. Rather than focusing on exact colours or table settings, think about how you want your wedding day to feel.

A mind map or vision board is a great way to explore ideas:

Pinterest boards
Notes on your phone
Saved Instagram posts
Words that describe the vibe (cosy, romantic, joyful, laid-back)

To tackle this stahe, my partner and I went for a coffee, and wrote out a mind map for what is important to us, and how we want our day to be. This helped anchor us (me especially) throughout the wedding planning process.

Try not to put pressure on this stage — it’s about inspiration, not decisions.

Engaged couple laughing while talking about wedding plans

Choose Your Non-Negotiables

Every couple is different, so it’s really helpful to decide what matters most to you both. This might be:

Photography
Food and drink
Music and dancing
Location or scenery

Once you know your priorities, it becomes much easier to make decisions — and let go of the things that don’t matter as much.

Newly engaged couple hold hands and walk together.

Build Your Wedding Team

You don’t need to book every supplier at once. Start with the big ones (venue, photographer, planner if you’re having one), and take your time finding people whose style and approach feel right for you.

Trust your instincts. Your wedding day will feel so much more relaxed if you’re surrounded by suppliers who get you and make you feel at ease.

Make Planning a Date

Once your planning has begun, a piece of advice I received from a friend who recently got married was to turn planning sessions into a date. Whether that’s bringing your notes and spreadsheet along to a coffee shop or for a drink, it makes wedding planning feel less like a chore. It really helped us when planning ours, and it was also a lovely way to reconnect while tackling all the wedmin.

A Gentle Reminder From a Wedding Photographer

From photographing weddings and now planning my own, one thing always stands out: it’s your day, and you should have the wedding you want.

Don’t feel like you have to follow traditions if they don’t suit you.

You don’t have to cut a cake, have a first dance, or even be walked down the aisle. You can skip all the planning altogether and elope if that’s what feels right. Your wedding is about celebrating your love — however you choose to do it.

The moments that matter most are often the in-between ones: the laughter while getting ready, the nerves just before the ceremony, the hugs, the happy tears. Planning with space to enjoy these moments is one of the best gifts you can give yourselves.

Engaged couple laughing together as they discuss wedding plans.

Final Thoughts for Newly Engaged Couples

If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this: there is no “right” way to plan a wedding. Take your time, plan in a way that feels good to you, and don’t let outside noise rush or overwhelm you.

Enjoy being engaged. You’re doing just fine — and this is only the beginning.

If you're wedding planning, has already begun, I’d love to capture your day!

Get in touch to chat about your wedding plans.