If you’ve landed here because you just got engaged—first off, congrats! Right now, you’re riding the high of celebrations, showing off that ring, and basking in the joy of it all. And then… reality hits.

💡 Oh. We actually have to plan a wedding.

Exciting? Absolutely.

Overwhelming? Almost definitely.

Unless you plan events for a living, this is probably the first time you’ve put together something of this scale—because let’s be real, a wedding is basically the biggest party you’ll ever throw (probably). And with that comes decisions. Lots of them.

The good news? I’ve spent over a decade photographing weddings—nearly 400 of them, to be exact—so I’ve seen the full spectrum of celebrations, from intimate elopements on the Cornish cliffs to full-blown festivals in the woods. I know what makes this process exciting, what can feel like a headache, and where couples tend to get stuck.

So… Where Do You Even Start?

Here’s the secret:

Sit down with your partner and figure out what you actually want.

Sounds simple, right? But this is where so many couples get lost before they’ve even begun. They start with Pinterest boards, venue searches, guest lists… but the best way to start wedding planning is by answering this:

👉 What kind of wedding actually makes you excited?

Do you want a huge, all-out celebration with everyone you’ve ever met?
Does that thought make you break out in a cold sweat and you’d rather elope in the mountains?
(Spoiler: Even if you’re firmly in Camp Big Wedding, you will have moments where eloping sounds like a dream. That’s normal. You haven’t lost it.)

The point is, there’s no right way to do this. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxed, intimate day or the biggest party of your life, your wedding should feel like you.

The Game-Changer: Your Non-Negotiables List

🎪 You’ve always dreamed of a big-top circus wedding, complete with fire performers and a 10-piece brass band.

🌱 All-vegan catering because it aligns with your values.

🍺 Ditching the champagne toast because cask ale is more your thing.

Whatever it is, write it down. Because once you start planning, you’ll be bombarded with “must-haves” from the wedding industry and unsolicited opinions from well-meaning relatives. Having this list means you can always come back to your vision and drown out the noise.

Get Inspired, But Don’t Overthink It

This is the fun bit—gather ideas! Pinterest, Instagram, wedding blogs—go wild.

At first, save anything that catches your eye, even if it feels random. The goal isn’t to figure it all out right away—it’s to spot patterns. Over time, you’ll start noticing what you’re actually drawn to, and those random ideas will start coming together naturally.

One of the best ways to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day is by having a couple shoot. No pressure, no stress—just a chance to capture the two of you as you are, in a place you love.

👉 Find out more here: Couple Session Guide