How to Start Planning a Wedding: Tips from a Couple of Pros Who’ve Seen It All

Hey friend—first of all, congrats! You just said "yes" to forever with your best friend, and now you’re diving headfirst into wedding planning. Exciting? Yes. Slightly overwhelming? Also yes.

I’m Micah, the face (and camera) behind Double Knot Photography, and if we were sitting together with an iced coffee (or a cozy hot cocoa, your call), I’d tell you exactly what I tell all my couples: take a deep breath—you’ve got this.

To help make this whole thing easier, I called in my friend Kendra Duke from Kendra Duke Design. She’s planned so many weddings and knows how to keep things stress-free. No sales pitch, just two wedding pros giving you the inside scoop. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Make a Top 5 Priority List

Kendra’s Tip: Start by sitting down with your fiancé and listing your Top 5 must-haves. Weddings can get expensive fast, so figuring out what actually matters to you will help you stay on budget. Is it the venue? Photography? A killer live band? Maybe you care more about an amazing menu and couldn’t care less about flowers. Whatever your five are, put your money there first. Everything else? Go with a Plan B or skip it. Seriously, if cake isn’t your thing, grab one from the grocery store or don’t have one at all—no biggie!

Micah’s Take: I love this advice. I had a couple who prioritized food, flowers, photos, venue, and an overall “laid-back, fun vibe.” So instead of a fancy wedding cake, they got cupcakes (because, let’s be real, cupcakes are way more fun). Another couple swapped a formal dinner for a food truck and saved thousands—plus, guests loved it. Write down what you’d be bummed to go without, and lock those vendors in first. Trust me, it keeps things stress-free and fun!

2. Book the Big Stuff Early

Kendra’s Tip: Once you know your priorities, start booking! Your venue, photographer, and planner are the backbone of your day, and the best ones book up fast. I’ve seen so many couples heartbroken when their dream venue or vendor was already taken. Also, be open to non-Saturday dates—venues often give discounts for weekday or Sunday weddings, and you’ll have better luck booking your top choices.

Micah’s Take: Yes, yes, YES. I’ve seen couples book their venue and photographer early, and suddenly, the stress melts away—like flipping a switch. Your venue sets the tone, your photographer captures the memories, and a planner keeps you sane. It’s like putting the border pieces of a puzzle together first—everything else falls into place after. So don’t wait too long—grab your dream team while you can!

3. Make It Yours (Not "Perfect")

Kendra’s Tip: Forget the “rules.” Want tacos instead of a formal dinner? Do it. Sneakers instead of heels? Absolutely. I’ve helped couples swap cakes for ice cream bars, bouquets for lanterns, and wedding parties for zero wedding parties. Make choices that feel right for you—it makes the whole day way more fun.

Micah’s Take: This is my favorite part—seeing couples make their day theirs. I’ve photographed a wedding where the bride rocked cowboy boots and another where the couple skipped favors and did a late-night Chick-fil-A run instead. One groom even snuck his dog into photos with a tiny tuxedo tie, and I was obsessed. Don’t let the idea of “perfect” get in your way—just focus on what makes you happy. That’s what you’ll remember years from now!

Let’s Get Started!

Kendra’s Tip: Here’s your simple starting game plan:
✅ Make your Top 5 list
✅ Gather your dream team and book the big stuff
✅ Ditch perfection and make it yours

That’s it. Simple, doable, and actually fun.

Micah’s Take: Kendra nailed it, and I’m 100% backing her up. I’ve photographed so many weddings—big, small, fancy, casual—and I promise this approach works. One bride told me that making a Top 5 list saved her from spending $2,000 on a cake she didn’t even like. That’s a win.

So take a deep breath, grab a notebook, and start dreaming up a day that feels right for you. And hey—if you need a photographer who’s ready to celebrate right alongside you, you know where to find me. 😉

Let’s do this!

—Micah