Just Engaged? The Top Three Wedding Questions You Absolutely Need to Answer First!

You've just said "Yes" and life feels full of sparkles, love and a LOT of questions! It's totally normal. As the Founder and Lead Planner of Katie Taylor Events, I've worked with more than forty newly engaged couples and here are the top three wedding questions I hear more than any others.

Here's your guide- plus what really matters when you're just starting out!

HOW MUCH SHOULD WE BUDGET & HOW DO WE SET REALISTIC PRIORITIES?

Why It's So Common: Money is one of the first practical hurdles couples hit and are faced with. What feels "reasonable?" What do people spend? These questions swirl fast when you're newly engaged.

What to Know:

• Your budget starts with honest conversations between you as a couple and anyone financially contributing to the celebration about what you and your partner truly want. What are your non-negotiables-is it amazing food, a show-stopping venue or killer photography?

  
  

• Be realistic: Katie will always help you emphasize, edit and curate the need to balance your "dream" versus "doable" within your budget.

• Leave wiggle room. Unexpected costs like vendor travel, late-night snacks and alterations to your wedding day attire can creep in. Having flexibility helps you plan without stress.

  
  

Katie's Advice: Start by sketching out your non-negotiables, your must haves. Pick two to three. Then build a rough budget around those. As your Wedding Planner, I'll help translate your vision into real vendor quotes and find ways to make your must haves shine without breaking your bank.

WHEN SHOULD WE BOOK VENDORS & WHICH ONES SHOULD WE BOOK FIRST?

Why It's So Common: Your inbox floods after an engagement and it can be hard to know which vendors you should lock in first.

What to Know:

• Top Priorities to book: Venue, Planner and Photographer. These are the vendors that typically book first.

• There is great value to moving quickly as great vendors, especially in popular markets, book fast, sometimes even 12-18 months in advance.

• But, don't rush for just the sake of it. Dive into planning to quickly and you might lose sight of what really matters to you as a couple-those must haves and your overall wedding vision.

Katie's Advice: Once we have your venue and budget sorted, we'll map out a vendor timeline together. I'll guide you on which vendors to secure first, when to sign, and how we'll sequence your bookings so you stay ahead-without stress.

HOW DO WE STAY TRUE TO OUR VISION WHEN EVERYONE HAS OPINIONS?

Why It's So Common: This is a top, top question my couples ask me! And it involves setting boundaries at the start of the planning process. Family members, friends and social media all come with strong ideas and opinions. You may feel pulled in a dozen different directions!

What to Know:

• It's easy to let other people's opinions take over. That's why we always encourage our couples to pause and decide together what matters to you most.

  
  

• The wedding planning stage is not just about logistics, management and timing-it's about defining your celebration, not someone else's vision.

  
  

• Think communication strategy: Who helps makes decision? Where will you draw your boundaries? Having these conversations, especially with anyone financially contributing to your celebration, will likely avoid tough situations down the road.

Katie's Advice: I always recommend you have an early "vision talk"-just the two of you. Define your wedding must haves, your non-negotiables and your "we don't care, but it would be nice" list. When you have clarity as a couple, it's easier to navigate opinions, stay aligned and stay grounded in what truly reflects you and you as a couple.

WHY THESE QUESTIONS MATTER & THE VALUE OF A WEDDING PLANNER

These top three questions-budget, timing and vision-are the foundation of smart wedding planning. They're common, yes, but they are also powerful. When you get these right, the rest gets easier!

At Katie Taylor Events, I don't just plan your day-I help you build a planning process that feels joyful, manageable and aligned with who you are. Together, we turn your engagement excitement into clarity, confidence and a vendor team you truly trust and love.

Until next time!

~Katie

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