The moments following an engagement are often a whirlwind of excitement, champagne and well-wishes. However, very quickly, that excitement can be met with an excess of questions. People will ask about the date, the venue and the guest list before you have even had a chance to let the news sink in. If you are currently navigating those early days of planning, the most important thing you can do is pause. Before you open a spreadsheet or look at a single venue, there is one fundamental question you need to answer:

What newly engaged couples should think about first when planning a wedding...

january 2, 2026

It is your wedding and your day. You should never feel pressured to invite people simply because you think you have to, because your Mum said she wants you to or because you were invited to theirs. A wedding is an intimate milestone; every person in that room should be someone who adds value to your life and who you know will celebrate you wholeheartedly.

If someone does not add value to your day-to-day life, they are unlikely to add value to your wedding day. In fact, a guest list filled with people you only know "well enough" can often dilute the emotional intensity of the day.

Consider the difference between:
 * An elevated experience for 30 people who matter deeply to you.
 * A generic experience for 100 people who you get along with but aren't a regular part of your life.

The former allows for deeper conversations, more meaningful interactions, and a feeling of genuine intimacy. The latter often turns the day into a series of polite small-talk sessions, which can be exhausting for you. 

As you move deeper into the planning process, the "why" can easily get lost in the "how." You may find yourself stressed about linen textures or transport logistics, losing sight of the core purpose of the event.

At its heart, a wedding is about two people making a commitment to one another. It is a celebration of your relationship and the journey that got you to this point. Whenever the pressure of planning starts to feel overwhelming, circle back to that "why." Ask yourselves: "Does this decision celebrate our relationship?" If a specific tradition or trend feels like it’s pulling you away from the heart of the day, you have full permission to discard it. Keeping your relationship at the centre of every choice ensures that the day remains a reflection of your love rather than a show for others.

We live in an age of endless inspiration. Between social media and the experiences of friends and family, it is easy to feel a "should" creeping into your planning. "We should have a flower wall because Sarah did," or "We should do a choreographed first dance because it's trending." You will treasure your wedding memories most if they are authentic to you. If a tradition doesn't resonate with your personality, don't include it. There are no "rules" in modern wedding planning that cannot be broken.
If you are a quiet, private couple, you don't have to have a 200-person party. If you hate being the centre of attention, you can opt for a private ceremony followed by a dinner. Your day will be most successful when it feels like a natural extension of your daily lives, just elevated for the occasion.

While the big decisions - like the venue and the filmmaker - create the structure of the day, the personal touches provide the heartbeat. It is these small, intimate details that often speak the loudest to your guests.
Think about ways to make the day uniquely yours. This isn't about expensive decor; it's about thoughtfulness.

 * Honouring Loved Ones: This might be a subtle nod to a grandparent who is no longer with you, perhaps by using a specific flower in your arrangements or including a favourite song in the ceremony.
 * Shared Hobbies: If you love a particular type of cuisine or a specific travel destination, find ways to weave that into the menu or the atmosphere.
 * Personalized Vows: Writing your own words is one of the most powerful ways to ensure the ceremony is grounded in your specific relationship.

The more of yourselves you put into the day, the more your guests will feel connected to the celebration. It is the "you-ness" of the wedding that makes it memorable, not the budget or the scale.

Once you have a clear understanding of the feeling, the guest list, and your "why," you can begin looking for suppliers. At this stage, you aren't just looking for talented professionals; you are looking for people who understand and respect your guiding principle.

Your suppliers - especially your photographer and videographer - will be a significant part of your day and will spend more time with you than anyone else will. They should feel like a natural fit for your wedding party.

 * Seek alignment: Look for professionals whose portfolios evoke the same "feeling" you decided on at the start.
 * Prioritise connection: Choose people who make you feel relaxed and understood.
 * Trust their expertise: Once you have found the right people, trust them to help you execute your vision.

By choosing a team that aligns with your values, you can offload the stress of the day, knowing that they are committed to capturing the atmosphere you worked so hard to define.

The journey from engagement to the wedding day is a significant chapter in your life. It shouldn't be defined by stress or a sense of obligation. By starting with the "feeling" and refusing to compromise on your authenticity, you reclaim the experience and can truly enjoy it. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to plan a wedding. Whether you choose a quiet elopement or a grand three-day celebration, the only metric of success is whether the day feels like a true reflection of the two of you.

Take a breath, look at your partner, and start with the emotion. The rest will follow naturally.

As you begin this journey, don't feel the need to rush. Spend a week or two just talking about the "feeling" before you book a single viewing. When you are ready to start building your team, look for those who speak your language and value your "why" as much as you do.

If you are looking for a filmmaking team that prioritises authentic connection and natural storytelling, we would love to hear about the "feeling" you are creating for your day.

How do you want your wedding day to feel?

Who do we actually want there?

By starting with emotion and atmosphere rather than logistics and aesthetics, you ensure that every decision you make moving forward is grounded in a vision that is authentically yours.

Most couples begin by looking at colour palettes, trends, or specific suppliers. However, these are all external details. The "feeling" is the guiding principle that those details should eventually serve. If you don't define the atmosphere first, you risk ending up with a collection of beautiful things that don't actually reflect who you are as a couple.

Think about the weddings or events you have attended in the past. Which ones felt most like "you"?

 * Is it calm, refined, and deeply emotional? This might lead you toward an intimate dinner in a historic building with soft lighting and a focus on conversation.
 * Is it a high-energy, festival-style celebration? This might lead you toward an outdoor setting with live music, communal dining, and a focus on movement and spontaneity.

When you and your fiancé are aligned on this "feeling," decision-making becomes significantly easier. When you are faced with a choice between two venues or two photographers, you simply have to ask: "Which of these supports the feeling we are trying to create?"

Before you involve family or friends in the planning process - which is a wonderful thing to do, but can be an absolute minefield- it is vital that you and your partner are on the same page. Wedding planning is often the first major project a couple undertakes together, and it requires a high level of communication and compromise.

Once you have defined the "feeling" of the day, the next natural step is to think about who will be there to share it with you. A common mistake is to view the guest list as a social obligation rather than a curation of your favourite people.
The question you should ask is: