1. Getting Started: How to Figure Out What Actually Matters When Planning Your Wedding

Written By Georgia Best

THE WEDDING PLANNING SERIES

Welcome to our three part blog series designed to help you with the, sometimes overwhelming, task of planning your wedding. Throughout this series we will take you through step by step the process we have used with many clients over the years, starting with figuring out where to even begin your thought process, through to finalising the finer details. 


Before You Begin - Understand what is most important to you as a couple

The most useful first step isn’t choosing a venue or a date. It’s getting clear on your priorities for your day. 

There’s a lot of noise around what a wedding “should” be, and a lot of social media showcasing this as well. What’s truly important however is focusing on what feels right for you as a couple. Some key questions to ask yourselves:

  • What do we actually want this day to feel like?

  • What matters most to us — people, setting, simplicity, food, photos, vibes?

  • What are the aspects of our day we want to prioritise?

  • What parts of other weddings have we liked, disliked, or felt neutral towards when attending as guests?

When you have clarity on whats truly important to you as a couple everything else becomes easier to navigate, as you can go back to these guiding values to make decisions.


Start With Your (Approximate) Guest List

Your guest list shapes almost every part of your wedding, as this will influence your budget, your venue options, and your overall feel of the day. You don’t need a final number yet, but having an approximate idea will help you to:

  • Narrow down suitable venues and understand space requirements

  • Plan the kind of experience you want to create (small intimate lunch, garden party, festival and food truck style)

  • Figure out what options you have that fit within your budget - the per head cost can add up, so thinking about how many guests you want can influence your options

Next, Consider the Overall Feel You’re Aiming For

Indoor? Outdoor? Marquee? Beach? Country? Backyard? Many couples are drawn to outdoor weddings, and for good reason - the natural beauty and space of outdoors make a beautiful setting for celebrations. But it’s worth thinking early about how your day would work if the weather changes. In locations such as Wellington, having flexible indoor and outdoor options can make a significant difference to how relaxed your planning (and your day) feels.w

Think About Location Practically

Location isn’t just about scenery — it’s about how the day flows.

Consider:

  • Whether you want everything in one place or separate ceremony and reception locations

  • Where you are getting ready, and how you will get to the venue from there

  • Travel time for guests from their homes or accommodation - will people need to book accommodation nearby?

  • Transport, parking, and accessibility

Set a Realistic Budget Range

You don’t need every detail mapped out, but having a general budget helps guide decisions early. If you have a rough idea of your total budget, and have considered your priorities as mentioned above, you may then like to set a rough plan for how you will allocate your budget; are you wanting to spend more on food, or have a videographer alongside photographer? Would you rather have more guests and reduce the spend on your bar tab? 

Think about:

  • Your overall comfort level with what you’re spending

  • What matters most to you (venue, food, atmosphere, photography)

Clarity here helps avoid overcommitting later, and will make saying no to the things that aren’t as important to you a little easier.

Remember, getting started isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about asking the right questions and developing a road map for the journey you’re about to take. Start a joint note on your phone between you and your partner, or get pen and paper out to really get brainstorming. It's ok if you change your mind and go back and forth on a few things, just taking small steps towards decisions helps to ease the pressure and make consistent progress.


Next in this blog series we focus on Researching and Refining: Choosing Your Venue and Key Vendors, before the final part Bringing It All Together: Planning The Details That Shape The Day.

Georgia Best