Where to Start with the Wedding Planning Process

So, you’re engaged… YAY! Congratulations! 💍🥰 You’re about to embark on one of the most memorable and exciting journeys of your life. While the wedding planning process is beyond exciting, it can also be overwhelming and daunting, especially at the beginning. That’s where we come in! 😉

A big plus of After The Tone being involved in 20,000 weddings a year is that we know a few things about the wedding planning process, like where to start, how to make the most of your big day, what to include on your welcome table, the list goes on!

So, if you’re wondering, “Where do I begin with planning a wedding?” Your audio guestbook besties have your back. Here are four places to start when planning your special day.

1. Attend a wedding expo or market.

Bridal shows are an amazing way to garner inspiration for your big day. Kind of like going to a pumpkin patch in October, a wedding expo really gets you into the spirit. These shows have everything from potential vendors to dresses to new trends and ideas—it’s a Disneyland for engaged couples! 

And trust us, we would know… we’ve attended a few of these ourselves and even hosted our own this past year.😀No matter where you are in the country, expos like the Premier Bridal Show pop up all over and are worth attending if you need some preliminary ideas or to connect with vendors.

2. Tap into the power of wedding websites & social media

The great thing about getting married these days is that couples now have access to the wonders of the world wide web. Your wedding planning experts are just a click away on websites like The Knot, BRIDES, and Zola. They have hundreds of articles and planning templates you can use to scope out your ideal wedding vibe.

If we had a dime for every person who reaches out saying they found us on social media, we’d be swimming in coins. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are a huge resource for brides-to-be and grooms-to-be alike. 

From wedding planning tips to vendors to reception ideas to real-life brides, you can find it all in one scroll sesh! The “search” page on TikTok is one of the best (in our humble opinion) in the game, so don’t be shy with your search terms. Odds are, you’ll find a community of people who have researched the same thing and were met with helpful advice in return. 

To start, here are a few awesome accounts to follow:

• After The Tone
• Squid Westra
• Grit & Grace

3. Get a wedding planning book

Sometimes, it simply helps to write things down. A wedding planner, meaning a physical planner/notebook you can buy at your local Target, can be a helpful investment in identifying your hopes and dreams, keeping track of action items, and narrowing down what matters most to you. 

True story: one of our employees recently sat down with her fiance to complete one of the activities in their wedding workbook. Out of a giant list of features the book provided, her and her fiance both circled the three things that they most wanted at their wedding. For example, hers were: dance party, open bar, and DJ, while his were: dance party, lighting, and outdoors. Now, they have a foundation to work off of! 

4. Hire a planner or day-of coordinator

For those who have the funds and want a stress-free planning process, hire a start-to-finish planner who can make all of your dreams come true at no cost to your sanity! Not only are planners incredibly knowledgeable about weddings and what to include, but they also have all the connections you need and know the exact timelines of when to complete what. They are your one-stop shop for creating your perfect day.

If a full-service planner seems a little too pricey, you can also consider hiring a day-of coordinator, who will be an amazing resource for you on your actual wedding day. This way, all you will have to focus on is looking great, feeling great, and, most importantly, having fun! 

This brings us to our final point, and that’s to remember to have fun during this process! These are times you don’t get back, and while planning the most significant day of your life can be stressful, it doesn’t mean it can’t be an absolute blast. This is your reminder to enjoy every moment. 💗

If you want to start your wedding planning process by booking your voicemail guest book, we would be absolutely honored to celebrate with you!