Ever wonder what it takes to start planning a wedding in the Napa Valley? As an experienced Napa Valley Wedding Photographer, here are the insider tips you need to get started.

I see that new sparkle on your ring finger. MAJOR congrats! You’re off to a fun start to this year. Now, to the fun stuff. Did you know that 2.6 Million Couples will be getting married in 2022? And this is just in the US, According to The Wedding Report. Now, this is what the pros are calling a Wedding Boom. But slow down, take a deep breath because 1. you got this! and 2. I’m going to walk you through exactly what to do after getting engaged before you start pulling out the wedding planner and circling a date.

2.6 Millon weddings

There are millions of couples sharing their new ring bands on Social media simply dreaming of the day they get to dress up, be celebrated, and walk down the aisle to say I do.

As you’re daydreaming, maybe the reality of your to-do list is hindering in the background, and the need to be proactive is settling in. It’s true. The stress of wedding planning will creep up on you eventually. This is why I decided to share some pro insights to keep the pressure at bay. We learned these tips along the way and tips that every couple wishes they knew.

You’re Engaged, Now what?

1. Share the news with your loved ones

First, we all know that mom will be overjoyed, and she’s going to want to hear it from you. So if mom wasn’t in on it, make sure you do the honorary FaceTime call with her before you post on the socials. Once you popped the champagne and wiped away all the happy tears, it’s time to share it on socials. Be ready to be folded with so many happy messages congratulating you!

2. Resize your ring, and insure it

The next and necessary step is to insure and resize your ring. If your partner did their research and gifted you a perfectly fitting ring, then cheers, have an extra glass of champagne! But if your ring is not snug on that ring finger, this is your top priority this week! In the meantime, hop on Amazon and Prime ship a ring snuggie while you wait. In the unfortunate event that your ring is lost or stolen, insurance is the best investment. Also, pretty inexpensive. Talk to your homeowner’s insurance or even your local insurance agent.

3. Talk to wedding planners

A few questions you should ask yourself before diving in.

• How much time and energy do you have to invest in your Napa Valley wedding?
• How involed do you want to be in the process?

If you’ve been here before, you might have seen how much we value the work of a planner. They are worth their weight in gold! Start looking into styles that you like and reach out to planners as soon as you know the answer to those questions. Remember, 2.6 MILLION couples are getting married this year! If you want top pick on vendors, it’s custom to start booking 12-18 months in advance.

4. Set a Budget

Here is where we start the well-anticipated money talk. This is a conversation you need to have honestly and openly with your partner or anyone who will be involved in the budget department. I can say with complete transparency. It’s always a sticker shock when you begin talking to vendors. I’ll revert to chatting with planners, and they will have the most accurate information on what a realistic investment will look like in this day and age. This could be a whole other blog post! 

5. Start looking at Napa Valley Wedding Vendors

You know your numbers, you have a planner on board, now it’s time to have fun touring venues. Venues are typically one of the first things you will check off your list, followed closely by your Napa Valley wedding photographer. But if an elopement on the white sands of the Maldives is more your style- we do destination weddings too. 

Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind when looking at venues. 

1. What does your ceremony space look like at the time of your ceremony? (is it in full sun, in the shade, backlit?) Is the venue flexible with ceremony sites?
2. What does your getting-ready suite look like? Natural light is important if you want clean timeless images. 
3. Is the venue flexible with your design ideas? Some venues have specific restrictions on what you can do. Make sure you ask what restrictions you limited to. 

6. Get Inspired!

Designing a wedding space is genuinely an art. Don’t be afraid to try new things, incorporate your personality, and think outside the box. Give your vendors an idea of what you’re looking for but give them creative freedom! This is where the magic happens. Your wedding will be the inspiration on Pinterest other couples wish they thought about first! 

Take the time to celebrate together

Although your to-do list might be a mile long, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Have date nights and dinners with friends. Continue doing the things you love to do together, and most importantly, when things get stressful, and they will don’t forget what it’s all about!   

Now, take a few deep breaths, and let’s tackle this to-do list.

Get in touch with our team to book your Napa Valley Wedding Photographer

If you think Napa, Ca. is the destination wedding you’ve been dreaming of, reach out to our team and learn more about how we can help you make your wedding vision come to life. Take a look at this beautiful Buena Vista winery Engagement session. If you’re ready to start planning your engagement session, stop by our contact page and tell us all bout your wedding.  Don’t forget to follow us on @elizabethWarrick_ for our everyday inspo.