Image by Jordan Jankun Photography. See more of this styled shoot here. Read on for wedding planning questions.

First and foremost, you’re probably here because you just got engaged. Congratulations! This is one of the most exciting chapters of your life, and we want to help make it as stress-free as possible. But before you dive headfirst into wish lists and to-do lists, it’s worth taking the time to sit down together to answer a few wedding planning questions first. Not only do these questions give you a clear vision of what you want your wedding to look like, but they’ll also make the wedding planning process so much easier. 

The 10 Best Wedding Planning Questions

Question 1. How much do you want to spend versus how much can you actually spend?

Before you can begin booking vendors and venues, you have to think about your wedding budget. It’s one of the biggest causes of stress for couples planning weddings, so getting it knocked out earlier saves you headaches down the line. While the discussion about budgeting can continue as the date gets closer, getting the hard stuff out of the way in the beginning means smooth sailing later on.

The first thing to settle on is how much you want to spend versus how much you can afford to spend. Many couples have dreamed of their weddings since they were little and have high expectations for a big grand affair. However, this isn’t always practical. Take a realistic look at your savings and decide what you can and can’t afford spending on the wedding as a whole. This will impact all of your decisions going forward.

Junebug Tip: Wedding Planning Questions For Family Members

Another thing to consider is whether you have any family members who are going to be chipping in. If your parents or grandparents haven’t approached the subject with you yet, don’t be afraid to politely ask in a way that is out of curiosity rather than expectation. This important difference in tone will mean they’ll be more likely to understand and potentially help you out–even if it’s a small amount. No matter what you should go into that conversation prepared for the possibility that they won’t be helping, so the costs are up to you and your partner. 

Once your budget is created, you can use our free wedding budget spreadsheet to ensure that you stay on track and spend your money on the things you truly love.

Image by Nikk Nguyen Photo. See more of this styled shoot here

Question 2. How many guests do you want to invite?

Unless you’re choosing to elope, your guest list is going to be the number one contributing factor to your budget. The more people you invite, the more expensive it’s going to be. You’ll need a bigger venue and more catering the more people you invite–all of which take up some of the biggest chunks of your budget.

If you are on a tighter budget, take the time to be strategic about who you do and don’t want there. Ask yourself who are the people you absolutely cannot get married without. You can also opt-out of plus-ones and make it adults-only if you’re looking to narrow down your guest list further. 

Question 3. Do you want a local wedding or a destination wedding?

Now that you’ve got a budget and guest list in mind, it’s time to think about where you want the wedding to take place–which also impacts your guest list and budget. There are pros and cons to each option. For example, local weddings tend to be cheaper and allow all of your friends and family to attend without traveling. 

Destination weddings are ideal for those who love to travel or who have a destination that is special to them. Unfortunately, they can be more expensive and it may be harder for some of your friends and family to attend. On the upside, those looking to have a smaller wedding may love the idea of destination weddings because they thin out your guest lists naturally without the guilt.

Image by Emma Quinn. See more of this real wedding here

Question 4. What time of year do you want to get married?

Time of year is a big factor in determining the type of wedding you have. Have you always dreamt of a winter wedding? Or maybe you want a beach wedding with the spring wind blowing on you as you exchange your vows. No matter what you choose, the season can help give you a better picture of what kind of venue and vibe you’ll end up with.

Question 5. What time of day do you want to get married?

While many people opt for evening weddings, it’s not your only option! If you and your significant other are morning people who want to party all day long or you want to tie the knot in the morning, rest in the afternoon, and party at night, you may want to consider a morning or brunch wedding. Morning weddings also save you money, open more venue availability, and give you the chance to snack on waffles and mimosas.

Question 6. What style of wedding venue are you looking for?

When it comes to venues, the options are truly endless. From beaches to gardens to castles to hotel ballrooms to Airbnbs, there’s something for every style. Think about what would be a special location for you as a couple. 

If you’re always hiking on the weekends or spending your evenings camping, an outdoor forest wedding may be the perfect choice. Or maybe you love the idea of a small ceremony and cozy dinner with your loved ones. In that case, you may want to rent an Airbnb where you’ll feel at home. If the ocean is calling your name, make your way to the nearest beach and see what your options are. See? Endless options!

Question 7. What wedding aspects are most important to you? What aspects are least important?

Because there’s no rule book when it comes to planning a wedding, there’s no set list of what vendors you absolutely need to hire. Instead, think about what aspects are most important to you. If you want beautiful photos that you’re going to display in your home for years to come, you’ll want to invest in a good photographer. If you get stressed easily, a planner may be the best choice for you, as they take the lead on all of the planning and execution. Do you want live music or a DJ? What about florals? Are those high on your importance list? Are you opting for a wedding cake or would you prefer a dessert table? 

It’s most helpful to make a list of all the aspects of a wedding and rate them on a scale of importance from 1 to 10 with 1 being the least important and 10 being the most. This will help you gauge what you see worthy of spending your budget on and what you’d rather save on.

Question 8. How involved do you want to be involved in the planning process?

We know that not everyone wants to be in charge of planning their special day. Between work, a social life, keeping up your own relationship, and everything in between, you’ve already got a lot going on. If you find that you’re easily stressed out or you’d rather a professional take the lead on the planning, focus on hiring a wedding planner. In fact, hiring a wedding planner can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run because they’ll help you stick to your budget. It may also save your sanity—that’s worth it. 

Image by Salt Atelier. See more of this real wedding here

Question 9. What do you want your day to look like?

Pinterest is both a blessing and a curse. It’s hard not to scroll for hours looking at all of the beautiful weddings. But you have to take a step back and think about what you want your wedding to look like. Don’t just plan a wedding based around all of the inspiration you found on social media. While it may turn out beautifully, it won’t represent who you are as a couple and you may end up actually regretting it. 

Before you begin picking out your color palette or deciding what kind of backdrop you want, put together a list of words that you want to describe your special day. Use words like intimate, adventurous, glamorous, cozy, eclectic, retro, and timeless. From there create a mood board based around these words. You’ll find that a pattern begins to develop within the decor pieces and color palettes you’re drawn to.

Question 10. How can you make the day meaningful and reflect your lifestyles and love story?

This question piggybacks off the last question but it’s just as important to ask because it helps determine how you can make your day all about you. 

Think about how you met, what activities you enjoy doing together, inside jokes you have with one another, and phrases you always say together. How can you inject these small touches into the day? 

If you’re coffee addicts, consider adding a coffee bar. Maybe you’re obsessed with your furry friend so you can have them walk down the aisle with you. If you make each other playlists on Spotify, turn one into a sign for your wedding and make that your guestbook. There are many different ways to incorporate your love story and what you two love together in your day–even in the smallest of details. 

Congrats, you finished the first step of wedding planning. Now that you’ve got those wedding planning questions answered, it’s time to prep for your engagement photos for your save-the-dates! Check out our tips for nailing your engagement photos! 

Image by Reagan Aleea. See more of this real wedding here