As a Boulder wedding photographer, I’ve been to my fair share of weddings and have been through the planning process myself. Once you get engaged, hundreds of decisions need to be made immediately. Don’t worry; they don’t have to be made right now. You have time to breathe, enjoy engagement, and be together. The engagement season is so short, and you deserve to enjoy it. So, let me help you navigate what first wedding planning decisions need to be made sooner than later!

General Dates

First things first, when do you want to seal the deal? Before anything else, think about when you want to get married. Don’t worry about an exact date. I suggest a general date, as a specific date is likely already booked for wedding venues. And there’s nothing worse than finding your dream venue and it being booked. So, considering a season or general date allows for more wiggle room. Also, consider how long you want to save for and plan your wedding. If it is a smaller, more intimate wedding, 6-9 months is possible. However, if you are planning a more significant celebration, you will want more time to prepare. There’s also nothing wrong with planning an intimate elopement! Those are generally easier to plan and quicker to get to the altar (so to speak!).

Budget

Once you know when your wedding will be, start talking about your budget. How much have you already saved, how much can you contribute each month, and are your parents pitching in? These are not fun questions or part of planning, but they are necessary. Knowing your budget allows the rest of your planning to fall into place. Find out all the available details, then plan how to spend that money. Make a list of your must-haves, and plan to spend more on those vendors that matter most to you. Creating a budget may seem limiting, but this is one of the first wedding planning decisions you can make to eliminate stress and keep you on track!

Venue

While this may seem obvious, the last few years of madness have changed the wedding world, so let me say it anyway. Wedding venues book up quickly! Many venues in the Denver area book up to 12-18 months in advance. As a result, you will want to book your wedding venue as soon as possible. Visit venues within your budget and see their availability for your general dates. Once you book your wedding venue, your wedding date will be official. And then, you can move on to booking other vendors. This will also be helpful as some venues will provide you with a list of recommended vendors. This doesn’t mean you have to use them by any means! It’s just a list of vendors familiar with the venue. Some vendors may require you to book your venue before signing up.

Booking Your Denver Wedding Photographer

Similar to venues, wedding photographers’ schedules fill up about a year in advance. This is one of the first wedding planning decisions that we will research and discuss as a couple. However, as an elopement photographer, I leave my books open for last-minute elopements. Find a few photographers you love for their style, and then schedule a call to get to know them and their pricing. Then, decide how you connect with them and the quality of their packages.

Again, congratulations! This next chapter will be filled with so many beautiful moments and memories, especially on your wedding day. Ready to book your Denver wedding photographers?