First of all, congratulations!! If you’re reading this, it means something magical has just happened and you’re beginning your wedding planning guide journey. Whether the proposal was a complete surprise or something you’ve both been dreaming about together for a while, this is such a joyful moment. You’re engaged! You’re building a life with someone you love and that’s worth celebrating.

Let’s take a deep breath together! You don’t need to do everything today. You don’t even need to have all the answers this month. What you do need is a plan that feels calm, doable, and aligned with who you are as a couple.

If we haven’t met before, hello! My name is Rosemary and I’m the CEO and floral designer of Rosemary’s Garden Florals. I’ve been in the wedding industry for years and helped hundreds of couples plan their dream weddings (in addition to planning my own wedding!) so I know a thing or two about how you’re feeling right now.

I’ve created a gentle, cozy guide to walk you through the first big steps after getting engaged so you can feel grounded, supported, and confident as you plan a wedding that’s meaningful, magical, and uniquely you. So find a comfortable seat, make a cup of tea or coffee, and let’s get started!

Step 1: Start with a Wedding Planner

We’re starting off with my #1 tip for anyone who is recently engaged! Here it is: I strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner before booking any other vendors. A good planner will be your guide, advocate, logistics expert, and creative partner all wrapped into one. They’ll help you avoid overwhelm, make smart decisions, and connect you with the right vendors who match your style and budget.

Think of your planner as a warm, wise friend who happens to know everything about weddings. The right planner has spent years, maybe even decades, making magic happen for couples and they will be there for you every step of the way. They are absolute superheroes at handling an unexpected crisis, have seen it all when it comes to awkward family situations, and have made it their life’s work to ensure your special day is the best it can be.

When you hire a wedding planner, you’re not just paying someone to check off items on a checklist. You’re paying for their knowledge of the wedding industry, years of experience, and ability to be your BFF throughout your wedding planning journey! Well worth the investment if you ask me.

But don’t just hire any random wedding planner! You can use professional directories such as those curated by the Central Florida Wedding Association, Suncoast Wedding and Event Leaders, Emerge Event Collective, or I Said Yes to find vendors who are trusted by industry professionals. These vendors are the very best of the best and have invested time and money into gaining membership to these organizations, which require referrals from existing members, extensive research into the vendor’s reputation, and in-person attendance at meetings. 

How do I know all this?

Rosemary’s Garden Florals is a member of all of these organizations, which are the most popular wedding professional organizations in the central Florida area! You can trust vendors listed in these directories to be legitimate companies who will give you a premium experience. I’ve heard so many horror stories from couples who hired shady vendors, so if you use any of these tips, let it be this one!

Once you hire your planner, the first two steps you’ll tackle together are:

• Choosing a venue
• Locking down a wedding date

Step 2: Lock Down Your Date & Venue Early

Popular venues, especially during peak seasons, tend to book at least 12–18 months in advance. If you’ve always dreamed of saying “I do” in a certain garden, barn, winery, or ballroom, it’s a good idea to look at venue availability before getting too attached to a specific date.

If your favorite date isn’t available at your dream venue, try choosing one with personal meaning. Here are some sweet ideas!

• The date you met your partner
• The date you got engaged
• The date of your first kiss
• A lucky number you both love

Tip: Write down 2–3 ideal dates and stay open. Ultimately, the meaning of your wedding date will come from you, not the calendar!

Wedding Planning Timeline

Alright, we have the two most important tasks out of the way! There are still a lot of things left to plan though. Going into detail on each of these steps would result in the world’s longest blog post, so instead, here is a birds-eye-view of important tasks that typically handle at different milestones prior to their wedding day. I’ll elaborate on a handful of these tasks below!

12–18 Months Before

• Hire a wedding planner (do this first!)
• Decide on budget & draft a guest list
• Choose a venue and set your date
• Research and book photographer, videographer, florist 👋, band/DJ, and caterer
• Shop for attire

8–10 Months Before

• Send save-the-dates
• Book remaining vendors (rentals, hair/makeup, officiant)
• Begin planning ceremony and reception details
• Design your floral vision (we’re here when you’re ready for your floral design!)

4–6 Months Before

• Order invitations
• Finalize attire and fittings
• Schedule hair and makeup trials
• Plan honeymoon

2–3 Months Before

• Mail invitations
• Finalize menu, timeline, and seating chart
• Plan gifts for your wedding party
• Plan rehearsal dinner

1 Month Before

• Apply for marriage license
• Confirm with vendors
• Pack for honeymoon

1 Week Before

• Final dress fitting
• Final venue walkthrough
• Take care of you! Rest, hydrate, breathe!

Involve Your Partner in the Process

Remember, this celebration is about both of you: your love, your story, and your future.

Here are some ways to plan your special day together!

• Make a list of each of your top 3 wedding priorities to make the day your own
• Have regular “wedding date nights” to review plans with snacks and wine
• Assign tasks based on what each of you enjoys (food tastings for them, flower mockups for you? Or vice versa!)

Planning with Kids Involved

If you and your partner already have children together, inviting them into the planning process can be such a beautiful way to bond and make memories!

Ideas for how to get the kids involved:

• Let them help pick out colors or attire
• Involve them in the ceremony (ring bearer, flower child, reading a poem)
• Let them help create decor elements, like framed welcome messages
• Plan a special first dance moment for your new family unit

Self-Care is Wedding Planning Too

Planning a wedding is so exciting, but it can also be emotionally draining if you’re not careful. Give yourself space to rest, say no when you need to, and stay grounded in what this is really about: your love story.

Your worth is not defined by how “Pinterest-perfect” your wedding is!

Take time to:

• Journal your feelings and ideas
• Go on non-wedding-related dates
• Enjoy bubble baths, nature walks, or yoga
• Take breaks from social media comparison

Consider Premarital Counseling

Premarital counseling isn’t just for couples going through challenges! It’s a thoughtful, proactive step toward building a strong marriage.

It can help you:

• Strengthen communication
• Discuss finances and future goals
• Learn how to navigate conflict gently
• Build deeper emotional intimacy
  

My husband and I attended pre-marital counseling prior to our wedding, even though we were completely happy in our relationship. It gave us assurance that we could handle what life has in store for us! This is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give each other during this season of transition.

Involving Loved Ones Without Losing Yourselves

It’s wonderful to invite family and friends to help out with wedding planning: many people genuinely want to contribute! But it’s important to remember:

This is your wedding. Your vision. Your joy.

Let others help within boundaries. If it’s fun for you, let your mom help address envelopes or bring all your besties to go shopping for attire. But if the opinions get overwhelming, it’s perfectly okay to step back. Let them know that you appreciate their ideas, but you and your partner have decided to do something in a different way. 

Tips for Working with Wedding Vendors

Building good relationships with your vendors will make your planning experience smoother and more joyful! Being transparent and helpful to your vendors is another awesome way you can contribute to a positive planning experience for the two of you.

• Be clear about your vision and your budget
• Ask for their input (they’re experts and often have wonderful ideas)
• Respect their time by being responsive and organized
• Express appreciation (vendors are people, too, and a little kindness goes a long way)

At Rosemary’s Garden Florals, I adore working with couples who value collaboration, beauty, and intention. Being transparent about your plans and kind in your interactions allows me to focus on what I do best: collaborating with you to design your dream wedding florals!

Final Thought: You’ve Got This!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, come back to this truth: the most important part of your wedding is the love you’re celebrating. Everything else is just extra.

You don’t have to do this alone, you don’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to do it all at once!

So take a deep breath. Celebrate your love. And take it one beautiful, intentional step at a time.

You’re engaged! And you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. ❤️