First of all, congratulations 🎉
If you’ve just got engaged over Christmas or New Year, you’re probably riding a mix of excitement, love, and a tiny bit of “oh god where do we even start?” totally normal.
I photograph weddings for a living, and I see the same patterns every year. The couples who enjoy their planning (and their wedding day) the most tend to do a few simple things early on.
So here’s a calm, no-pressure guide to what actually helps in those first few weeks.
1. Pause. Enjoy it.
Before spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, or well-meaning relatives, just enjoy being engaged.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Go for a meal, open a bottle of something nice, tell your favourite people. The planning can wait a few days.
2. Pick a rough date or season
You don’t need an exact date yet.
Decide:
* Year
* Season (spring, summer, autumn, winter)
* Weekday or weekend
This instantly narrows everything down and makes venues and suppliers much easier to approach.
3. Get a rough idea of guest numbers
Not a final list, just:
* Intimate (under 50)
* Medium (50–100)
* Large (100+)
This affects venues, budgets, and the flow of the day far more than people realise.
4. Book your venue first (almost always)
Your venue sets:
* The date
* The vibe
* The logistics of the day
Once that’s locked in, everything else falls into place much more smoothly.
5. Choose suppliers you actually trust
This is huge.
You’ll spend more time with your photographer than almost anyone else on the day. The same goes for planners, celebrants, and videographers.
Ask yourself:
* Do they make us feel relaxed?
* Do we trust them to handle things calmly?
* Do we like how they talk about weddings?
Skill matters, but energy matters just as much.
6. Ignore the pressure to do things “properly”
There is no correct order for:
* First looks
* Group photos
* Speeches
* Evening timelines
The best weddings are the ones that feel like the couple, not a checklist.
7. Remember: the day goes fast
Your wedding day will fly by.
The couples who look back happiest are the ones who:
* Built breathing room into the day
* Didn’t rush from thing to thing
* Let moments happen naturally
Good planning isn’t about cramming more in — it’s about protecting the experience.
A quick note on photography
If you’re currently looking for a wedding photographer, my approach is very simple:
* Candid, natural moments
* No intrusive flashes or loud clicks during ceremonies
* Blending in so you can forget the camera
* A full gallery delivered within 14 days
I photograph weddings across Manchester and West Yorkshire, Leeds and beyond and I’m always happy to chat with no pressure.
👉 You can find more information you can start here www.scottvanderzanden.com