As a wedding photographer based in beautiful Sudbury, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless couples’ special moments, from their engagement sessions to their wedding days. One question I often hear from newly engaged couples is, “Where do we even begin?” Today, I’m sharing my insider knowledge to help you navigate those exciting first steps after saying “yes!”

Take Time to Celebrate

Before diving into wedding planning, pause and savor this magical moment. You’re engaged! This is such a special time in your life, and it deserves to be celebrated. Share the news with your loved ones, take lots of ring selfies (tip from your friendly neighborhood photographer!), and simply enjoy being fiancés for a while. The planning can wait a few days – or even weeks.

Set Your Wedding Vision

Dream Together

Once you’re ready to start planning, sit down with your partner and have an open conversation about your dream wedding. What’s your style? Are you thinking elegant and traditional, rustic and romantic, or modern and minimalist? This vision will guide every decision you make moving forward.

Consider Your Season

Here in Sudbury, each season offers its own unique charm for weddings. As someone who’s photographed weddings year-round in our area, I can tell you that our autumn colors are absolutely stunning, our summers are perfect for outdoor celebrations, spring offers beautiful blooming backgrounds, and winter creates magical snow-covered scenes. Think about what season speaks to you as a couple.

Check out my guides for Spring and Fall!

Establish Your Budget

This might not be the most exciting part of wedding planning, but it’s crucial. Your budget will influence every decision you make, from your venue choice to your guest count. Have honest conversations with:

• Your partner about your own contributions
• Your families about any potential contributions they’d like to make
• Financial advisors if needed

Remember, beautiful weddings happen at every budget level. I’ve photographed intimate backyard celebrations that were just as magical as grand hotel affairs.

Create Your Guest List

Before you can book a venue, you need a rough idea of your guest count. Start by:

• Making your preliminary guest list
• Deciding whether you’ll invite children
• Determining your plus-one policy
• Getting input from both families (especially if they’re contributing financially)
• Use a site like Zola to organize

Choose Your Date and Book Your Venue

Timeline Considerations

Typically, I recommend giving yourself 12-18 months to plan your wedding, though this can be shorter or longer depending on your circumstances. Keep in mind that popular venues in the Sudbury area often book up 12-24 months in advance, especially for peak season dates.

Venue Shopping

Start researching and visiting venues that fit your:

• Budget
• Guest count
• Style
• Season
• Desired date

As a local photographer, I’ve worked at many venues in and around Sudbury. Don’t hesitate to ask vendors like me for recommendations – we love sharing our experience! Here are my favorites:
Hilton Garden Inn
The Inn at Gore Bay
Forest Ridge Golf & Country Club
Holiday Inn Sudbury
The Hellenic Center
Idylwylde Golf Course
Maple Hill Farms
Science North and Dynamic Earth

Book Your Key Vendors

Priority Vendors

Once your venue is secured, focus on booking vendors who typically only work one wedding per day:

• Photographer (that’s me! 📸)
• Videographer
• Band or DJ
• Florist
• Wedding Planner (if you’re considering one)

These vendors often book up quickly, especially during peak wedding season. I recommend securing them 12-15 months before your wedding date.

Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner

While not essential, a wedding planner can be invaluable, especially if you:

• Have demanding jobs with limited planning time
• Are planning a large or complex wedding
• Feel overwhelmed by the planning process
• Want to ensure nothing is overlooked

I’ve worked with many talented planners in the Sudbury area who can help make your planning journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Start a Wedding Organization System

Digital Organization

Create a dedicated email address for wedding planning and set up:

• A shared planning spreadsheet
• A Pinterest board for inspiration
• A digital folder for contracts and receipts
• A wedding website (if you plan to have one)

Physical Organization

Keep a physical wedding planning binder for:

• Vendor contracts
• Timeline drafts
• Inspiration tears from magazines
• Paint swatches and fabric samples
• Business cards

Begin Your Wedding Beauty and Wellness Routine

If you’re planning to make any changes to your beauty or wellness routine, now is the time to start. This might include:

• Skincare treatments
• Fitness goals
• Hair growth or color transitions
• Dental work or whitening

Remember, the goal is to feel your best self, not to completely transform yourself.

As your potential wedding photographer, I want you to know that this journey, while sometimes overwhelming, should ultimately be joyful. Don’t get so caught up in the planning that you forget to enjoy your engagement period. Take date nights where wedding talk is off-limits, celebrate small planning victories, and remember that at the end of this journey, you’ll be married to the love of your life – and that’s what truly matters.

Remember, you don’t have to figure everything out at once. Take it step by step, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your vendors (including me!) for guidance. We’re here to help make your wedding planning journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Congratulations again on your engagement! If you’d like to chat about wedding photography or need vendor recommendations in the Sudbury area, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to be part of your special day!