Just Got Engaged? Here’s Exactly Where to Start Your Wedding Planning
Yay, you’re engaged! Congratulations!
You’re probably overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. Most brides jump straight into venue hunting or picking a date. But before you dive into any planning, there are two important decisions to make first.
What is your realistic budget?
How strict do you want to be with that number?
If you’re not sure where to start, the average wedding in the United States in 2025 was around $35,000 for 100 guests. Use that as a jumping off point. From there, ask yourself how flexible that number really is. Is it a hard ceiling, or could it move if you found the dress of your dreams? Knowing your wiggle room, and whether your wants outweigh the number, will save you a lot of stress later.
Pick Your Season
The season you choose will affect venue pricing too. Wedding season in New England runs from June through the end of October, and Saturdays are the most popular day to get married. Choosing a Saturday within that window will cost the most. Fridays, Sundays, and dates outside peak season tend to be more affordable.
Once you’ve nailed down your budget and season, you can move on to the fun part: venue hunting. Check out our guide to New England venue prices for 2026 to get a starting point.
Book Your Venue and Understand Catering
Once you’ve chosen a venue, your next task is figuring out its catering situation. If the venue requires in house catering, you’re all set. If it allows outside catering but also offers an in house option, we recommend tasting the in house menu first to see if it’s the right fit. If it’s not, look into outside caterers, your venue may have a recommended list to start from. Based on your state, use our caterer guide as a starting point.
Confirm What’s Included
Ask your venue whether they provide:
• Ceremony chairs
• Reception tables and chairs
• Linens
• Dinnerware
If any of these aren’t included, you’ll need to contact rental companies to fill in the gaps. Check out our rental guide for options.
Book Your Remaining Vendors
Next up: your photo and video team, DJ, and florist. Our recommended vendor list is a great place to start.
Once your vendor team is set, make sure everyone aligns with your values and vision, because you’ll be trusting them with your day. To manage the whole team, we recommend booking a day of coordinator. They’ll field the questions from guests, family, and vendors so you don’t have to, and you can simply enjoy your day.
