The Stages of Planning a Wedding: A Guide for Stress-Free Wedding Prep
Planning a wedding is an exciting journey, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re trying to organize all the moving parts. Understanding the stages of wedding planning can help you feel more in control—and allow you to enjoy the experience from start to finish. As a wedding photographer serving Omaha, NE and Sioux City, IA, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-planned wedding day can lead to a smoother, more enjoyable celebration. Here’s a simple breakdown to guide you toward a stress-free wedding day.
1. Start With Your Vision and Budget
Before booking anything, sit down together and decide what type of wedding feels like “you.” Are you dreaming of a classic, elegant celebration or a relaxed outdoor ceremony? Once you have a vision in mind, create a realistic budget. Your budget will help determine your venue options, guest list size, and the vendors you bring onto your team—including your photographer.
2. Build Your Guest List
Your guest count affects the venue, catering, and overall wedding logistics. Creating your guest list early helps you choose a space that fits your celebration perfectly. Whether your wedding is intimate or large, knowing your approximate number will guide the rest of your planning.
3. Choose Your Venue and Lock in Your Date
Your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day, so this is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. Many Omaha and Sioux City venues book up quickly, which is why I always recommend touring locations early. Once you’ve chosen your venue, you’ll have your wedding date—opening the door to book your photography and other key vendors.
4. Book Your Key Vendors Early
One of the most important steps is securing your core vendors. Wedding photographers, videographers, planners, and DJs often book 12–18 months in advance. At Brandon Garner Photography, I encourage couples to reach out as soon as their date is set so we can discuss your vision, timeline, and engagement session. Booking early ensures you get the best experience and the photography style that fits your story.
5. Style Your Day and Choose Your Wedding Party
With the big decisions checked off, you can start designing your wedding day. Choose your wedding party, explore color palettes, and begin dress and suit shopping. This is also a perfect time to plan your engagement session—an important part of getting comfortable in front of the camera and capturing images for save-the-dates or your wedding website.
6. Finalize the Details
As your wedding date approaches, you’ll work through the smaller details that bring everything to life: invitations, floral selections, transportation, seating charts, and your full wedding-day timeline. I always help my couples build a photography-friendly timeline to ensure every important moment is captured smoothly and naturally.
7. The Final Weeks: Confirm, Rehearse, and Celebrate
In the last month, confirm all vendor details, share your timeline, and take time to relax. Your rehearsal is a great opportunity to run through the ceremony and ease any nerves. After that, it’s all about enjoying the day you’ve spent so much time planning.
