How Do You Plan a Wedding Without Crying Asking for Myself

We are getting married in about two years. Which sounds like plenty of time and in theory it is. But I’ll be honest I’m already a little overwhelmed. We haven’t booked a venue. I haven’t looked at a single dress. Most of the time when I think about “starting” the planning process I just kind of… don’t.

And the biggest reason is this I want our wedding to feel like us. I don’t want to get swept up in what it’s “supposed” to be and lose sight of what we care about. But with every click and scroll I’m reminded of how expensive everything is how many choices there are and how easy it is to start doubting yourself before you’ve even picked a date.

We don’t have a big budget. We’re not interested in spending more on one day than we’d spend on an actual house. And yet we still want it to feel magical. Romantic. Meaningful. Fun. And most of all real.

So here’s what I’m reminding myself as we take these first baby steps

It’s Okay to Start Small

There’s this weird pressure to plan everything all at once. Venue dress guest list photographer flowers food music honeymoon registry it’s all thrown at you the second you say you’re engaged. But I’m learning it’s okay to start small. Think about what matters to us. Talk about how we want the day to feel not just how it looks.

We Don’t Have to Do This Alone

We already have people who love us offering help. My best friend is a chef and has offered to help with the food which feels like such a gift. Not just financially but emotionally too. It’s comforting to know we’re not doing this by ourselves. And that support is going to mean more than any fancy caterer ever could.

There’s No Deadline for Joy

Just because we haven’t picked a venue doesn’t mean we’re behind. Just because I haven’t tried on dresses doesn’t mean I won’t find the right one. The magic of this day isn’t tied to how quickly we book things or how expensive they are. We have time. And we’re going to use it wisely and slowly and without panic.

Budget Doesn’t Equal Boring

We may not have a huge budget but we have creativity. We have each other. And we have this shared vision of a wedding that feels personal thoughtful and full of joy. That kind of magic doesn’t come from money. It comes from intention.

So if you’re like me and you’re staring down the mountain that is wedding planning and thinking “how the heck do I start” just know this You’re not alone. You don’t have to have all the answers right away. And you absolutely don’t have to spend a fortune to create something beautiful.

We’re just at the beginning. And even though it’s scary I’m excited too. Because if we build this day with love and honesty it’s going to be unforgettable.

Wedding Featured- Jillian And Allen 4.26.25

Photography- Meredith with MerMacMedia

Venue- Zen