photo by Karra Leigh Photography

What could be better than advice from one wedding planning expert? How about advice from an entire team of them? From the swoon-worthy moments to confusing moments that make us scratch our heads, we’ve seen it all. We’ve also read advice from thousands of couples over the years, and worked with lots of wedding planning professionals. Between us, we’ve got the wedding planning advice that you need to plan your day with love and intention.

We’re talking budget, guest list, vows, engagement season, and everything in between! So get ready to take notes—these tips from the Junebug Weddings team are everything you need today.

photo by Sarah Murray Photography

Tip 1. Start by Making Your Wedding Budget

Prioritize the budget conversation early on in the wedding planning process. In fact, this is the first thing you and your partner should do after you’ve finished celebrating the engagement. Budgeting isn’t the sexiest part of wedding planning, but it’s a conversation that needs to happen before any decisions are made. Build your budget around 3-5 things that are super important to you as a couple and go from there. If you need help with your wedding budget, check out our budget tool spreadsheet!

We want you and your partner to feel confident about your wedding budget talk! So don’t forget to check out these budget resources:

How to Create the Best Wedding Budget for You and Your Partner

Tips for Decorating Your Wedding Reception on a Budget

Unexpected Wedding Expenses to Keep in Mind When Creating Your Budget

Tip 2. Write Your Own Wedding Vows

Write your own vows! More than any other part of your day, the wedding vows are your chance to tell your person and to the universe exactly what commitment you’re making in marriage. Sharing personal vows can also be a special way to celebrate with your community who’ve shown up to support your love and the next chapter together. Worried your vows are too private to share publicly? Exchange vows during your first look when it’s just the two of you. Remember, what matters most isn’t that you’re a good writer or speaker, it’s that you are making meaningful promises for your life together. Be heartfelt, be funny, be true, and most importantly, be you! Not sure where to start? Check out these tips for writing your own vows!

When you’re ready to write down your beautiful words, you can shop the prettiest wedding vow books here!

image by Jennifer Picard Photography

Tip 3. Make Time for Each Other

Your wedding day will go by faster than you can even imagine, which is why it’s so important to make time to stop and take it all in. Build private moments into your wedding day timeline so you know, without a doubt, that you’ll have time to soak it all in! Get ready together. Have a private first look. Steal away for a post-ceremony toast. Opt for a sweetheart table rather than a head table with your entire wedding party. Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you and your partner get a few quiet moments together on the wedding day to breathe, laugh, and simply be crazy in love.

Tip 4. Consider Eloping

If a big traditional wedding isn’t for you, don’t feel pressured into having one! Intimate, destination ceremonies and elopements are a great way to focus on what’s most important: you and your partner. Follow your heart and keep what you and your partner want at the forefront. And if you want to have your cake and eat it too, throw a reception after you elope to celebrate with your people. It’s a win-win!

Tip 5. Get Creative With Your Wedding Timeline

Don’t be afraid to stray from the traditional timeline of a wedding day. I love the idea of having a cocktail hour and some dancing before the actual ceremony! That way everyone can be loosey-goosey and the “I do’s” feel more like a celebration than something formal.

Love the idea of a pre-ceremony cocktail hour but need help creating a fabulous playlist? We’ve got the perfect cocktail hour playlists for any mood!

photo by AXIOO Bali

Tip 6. Make Sure Your Wedding Reflects You

Find ways to incorporate your favorite hobbies into the decor of your wedding. Love to get dressed up together but also chow down on Texas barbecue? You do you! What matters most is that your day reflects and celebrates your unique relationship.

Looking for the perfect decor to make your wedding day feel like you? We’ve got you covered with these shoppable posts:

Affordable Wedding Decor You Won’t Believe Came from Amazon

Ideas to Complete Your Adventure-Themed Wedding

Wedding Dessert Table Ideas to Sweeten Your Reception Decor

photo by Anais Possamai Photography

Tip 7. Embrace Your Engagement Season

Through all of the planning, checklist making, and number crunching, remember that you deserve to have fun with your engagement! So don’t let planning overtake every aspect of your life. Hire vendors you trust and then set aside some quality time with your partner that doesn’t involve wedding planning! Drink champagne and soak up giddy engagement excitement. Those special moments together are what you’ll want to remember about being engaged.

Here are even more ways to make the most of your wedding planning season.

Whew, you made it! And now you’re ready to put together your vendor team! Browse our curated list of expert wedding professionals from around the world to find the team that can you bring your wedding dreams to life!