You’re Engaged! Let’s Get This Party Started!

One of the days you’ve been waiting for is finally here. Your man dropped down on one knee and this time it wasn’t to tie his shoelaces. He popped the question, you said yes, and everyone’s been congratulating you. Now, you’re feeling the pressure of planning a wedding with only a secret Pinterest board called “When He Finally Asks” filled with photos.

Most people don’t know this but I’m actually a certified wedding planner. I watched Jennifer Lopez’s movie “The Wedding Planner” and thought to myself “that looks like fun”… well I was in for a rude awakening and needless to say I quickly pivoted to photography. To be honest, wedding photography fell on my lap, I wasn’t searching for it and I didn’t even own a camera when I started. I had a family friend ask me to shoot her daughter’s Quince (which are a big thing in the Latin American culture, especially in Miami), she borrowed her friend’s camera and that photoshoot landed me a small wedding. That small wedding trickled into more and we’re now a few years in and I’ve learned a lot through the journey.

But enough about me… this blog is about you (and your fiancé). As I mentioned earlier, I’m honored to be your Unofficial Maid of Honor and help you through this exciting journey. Here are a few tips I always share with friends and family when they ask for wedding planning advice.

1. Set a realistic budget and prepare to double it.

The first and probably most important piece of advice I can give you is to setup a budget. When I speak to a couple, I usually tell them to set up a budget and prepare to double it. People often don’t believe me, but wedding costs add up fast. When I meet couples a month before their wedding, I ask, “Did you double your budget?” Ninety-five percent say yes. The other five percent either opted for a small, intimate wedding or eloped.

2. Define your vision.

Many brides start with a vision board of pinned photos, but without a budget, they can’t set a realistic vision for their wedding. This often leads to doubling their budget, as they strive to achieve their dream and end up in debt.

Once you know your numbers, you’ll be able to narrow down your preferred style, theme, and overall atmosphere. Are you envisioning a romantic garden wedding, a chic city affair, a backyard intimate celebration, or a destination wedding/elopement in another country? Having a clear vision will guide your decisions throughout the planning process.

3. Create a draft of your guest list.

Start by putting together the list of the people you want to invite. This is when it really gets overwhelming. If you’re hispanic then you most likely have to invite la Tia del Tio Alfredo and you probably haven’t spoken to her since you were 5 when she took care of you that one time.

The biggest regret I get from most brides (besides going cheap on some vendors) is that they invited people they didn’t care to have there, because they felt obligated to. This is your wedding and I think the most important thing is to have the people you really love and care about there. Creating a draft of your guest list early on will help you determine the size of your wedding. This will help you choose a venue that can accommodate the people you’re inviting, comfortably.

Start by listing immediate family members, close friends, and relatives, then work your way down to extended family and acquaintances. Remember, it’s okay to be selective and prioritize those who are truly important to you.

4. Prioritize your must-haves and start booking them early on.

When it comes to certain wedding vendors, you just can’t wait till last minute to book them. The first three vendors I tell people to book are: your venue, wedding planner, and photographer.

You need to secure your venue first, as it determines your wedding date.If your dream venue is popular, it might already be booked, so stay flexible or find a new venue.

Your wedding planner will ease your mind on the big day, but they book up quickly. Many vendors have teams to coordinate weddings, but if it’s just one person, they might already be booked. Hiring a wedding planner keeps you organized and on top of details, deadlines, and appointments—don’t wait to do this.

Finally, book your photographer early—we start a year to a year and a half in advance. If you wait, you might miss out. Contact all three vendors (venue, photographer, etc.) at the same time with your tentative wedding date and venue. This way, they can confirm their availability and send you their pricing guides, helping you see if they fit your budget.

Visit “Our Resources and Vendor Guide” for a list of recommended vendors. I’ve compiled this list of vendors I’ve loved working with, and I constantly update it.

5. Enjoy the Engagement.

Ever since the pandemic, we’ve noticed a trend of shotgun weddings rise. Many people now get married within 3-6 months of getting engaged, and sometimes within a year of meeting. While I love that couples want to marry quickly, I also believe in enjoying your engagement. You’ve waited so long for this moment so making it count is crucial to your relationship.

The truth is your engagement and planning a wedding will test your relationship. You’ll need to discuss finances, family dynamics, and expectations for your wedding day. Many couples can’t handle the pressure and break up, calling off the wedding (like I did, but that’s a story for another blog post). My best and final advice I give my couples is:

Plan for your marriage more than you plan for your wedding.

I’ll be back soon with more tips!