CREATING YOUR AUTHENTIC WEDDING


There’s something magical about the start of a new year. It’s a fresh chapter, a reset, a clean slate -- and for many newly engaged couples, it’s also the beginning of a beautiful new journey toward your wedding day. But let’s be honest: wedding planning can go from dreamy to overwhelming real quick if you're not anchored in clarity and intention. So before you fill your calendar with dress appointments and cake tastings, let’s clear the mental clutter and build a strong foundation for a wedding that reflects you, not the noise of everyone else’s opinions or Pinterest board overload. Here are 9 essential steps to help you centre your focus, stay organized, and plan your wedding with peace, purpose, and a whole lot of joy.


1. Start with the “Why” Behind the Wedding

Ask Yourselves:

  • What do we want people to remember most about our wedding?
  • What values do we want this day to reflect?
  • How do we want to feel when we look back on it?

Write your answers down and revisit them often. They’ll serve as a filter for every decision --from guest list to first dance. Create a shared wedding vision board with words or quotes that reflect your values, not just visuals. This emotional roadmap keeps things authentic.


2. Make Space — Physically & Mentally

Mental Clarity: The early stages of planning can get noisy. Everyone has an opinion, and inspiration overload is real. Start by clearing the chaos. Set up a dedicated wedding email and Google Drive with folders like “Contracts,” “Inspo,” and “Budget.” It saves hours of backtracking later. Even a single drawer or shelf dedicated to your wedding planning materials can bring calm. Keep your vision boards, notebooks, and swatches in one place.


3. Define Your Budget -- and Your Priorities

Real Talk Time: Sit down with your partner and any contributing family members. Get clear about your total budget and what matters most. Pick your top three priorities -- maybe it's the venue, the food, or live music. These are where you can justify splurging, and then scale back elsewhere. Leave a 5–10% buffer in your budget for unexpected expenses (like last-minute rentals or tipping vendors).


4. Create a Mood Board to Discover Your Aesthetic

Beyond Pinterest: Instead of aimlessly pinning, look for patterns. What colors, textures, or lighting consistently appear in your saved content? Create a digital or physical board with 10–15 images max that tell a cohesive story. Include tone words: “elegant,” “romantic,” “earthy,” “modern,” etc. Use your fashion style as a starting point. Are you minimalist? Maximalist? Vintage-inspired? Let your everyday aesthetic lead the way.


5. Get to Know the Vendor Timeline

Vendors Book Early -- Really Early: Popular venues and photographers can book up a year or more in advance.

Booking Timeline at a Glance:

  • Venue: 12–18 months out
  • Planner/Coordinator: 12+ months out
  • Photographer/Videographer: 10–14 months
  • Caterer/Baker: 8–12 months
  • Florist/DJ: 6–10 months
  • Hair & Makeup: 6–8 months
  • Rentals & Decor: 4–6 months

Make a contact spreadsheet with columns for vendor name, quote, contract date, and notes. Bonus if you colour-code it! When reaching out to vendors, ask what dates they still have available -- this can help you stay flexible and avoid disappointment.


6. Delegate Early (Even the Small Stuff!)

Planning Together = Less Stress: Even if you’re a type-A planner, don’t try to do it all. Delegate based on strengths and interests and make it fun. Create a “Team Wedding” group chat or shared document with tasks assigned. Assign someone to handle playlists, signage, or even researching hotels. Assign one person (besides you) to handle gifts or cards during the wedding day. This prevents lost envelopes and forgotten thank-yous.


7. Protect Your Energy

Burnout Prevention 101: Don’t let your wedding take over your life. Schedule weekly “non-wedding” nights to reconnect with your partner or simply do something totally unrelated. Give yourself permission to say “no" -- to extra events, opinions, or traditions that don’t align with your vision. Try a “wedding-free weekend” once a month. Turn off notifications, take a hike, or go on a date -- just be you two again.


8. Keep Communication Open with Your Partner

This is Your Day: It’s easy to accidentally divide roles (“you handle music, I’ll do the flowers”), but keep regular check-ins to stay connected and aligned. Set a recurring “wedding meeting” -- even 30 minutes a week -- where you can review tasks, ask questions, or bring up concerns in a relaxed way. Start each meeting with something positive or fun: a memory, a laugh, or a piece of cake to sample together.


9. Give Yourself Permission to Evolve

You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind! You don’t owe anyone an explanation for shifting from a backyard wedding to a ballroom, or for ditching the DIY plan that’s stressing you out. Set “decision check-in” points -- maybe once a month -- to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Treat your planning like a living, breathing thing -- one that grows with you. Your wedding is a snapshot of who you are right now, and that’s beautiful.


The start of the year is a sacred space -- a time of intention, clarity, and fresh beginnings. If you’re newly engaged, let this be your permission slip to plan your wedding, your way.

Don’t just check off tasks -- create a celebration that feels deeply you. Stay grounded, stay present, and keep your love at the centre of it all. Because the most beautiful weddings aren’t the ones that look perfect on Instagram -- they’re the ones that feel perfect in your heart.