The PLAN Wedding Planning Method

You’re Engaged… Now What? Introducing the PLAN Wedding Planning Method

Once the excitement of getting engaged settles, many couples are left asking the same question: where do we even start?

Between social media, well-meaning advice and rising wedding costs, the early stages of planning can feel overwhelming very quickly. That’s why I developed a simple framework to help couples start their planning journey calmly and confidently.

It’s called the PLAN Wedding Planning Method, and it’s designed to give you clarity before you start booking, spending or spiralling.

P – Pause & Get on the Same Page

The biggest mistake couples make is jumping straight into venues and Pinterest boards.

Before anything else, you need to pause and talk to each other.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we want big or small?

• Home or abroad?

• One day or two?

• Traditional or relaxed?

It’s completely normal to start with different ideas. This step isn’t about agreeing on everything, it’s about aligning direction. I always recommend each partner identifies one or two non negotiables so both feel heard from the start. (Think of that Friends episode where Monica wants THE dress and Chandler wants the Swing Cats!)

Photo Credit: Amazing Cakes

L – Look at the Numbers

This is the least romantic part of planning, but the most important.

You need a realistic sense of:

• What savings you already have

• What you can comfortably save

• Whether any family contributions are available

Alongside this, draft a rough guest list. Not the final version, just definite guests and maybes. Your numbers will influence everything from venue options, costs per head and overall scale.

There is no “normal” wedding budget anymore. Some couples are spending €40,000+, others are intentionally keeping things well under €30k. What matters is choosing a budget that works for your life.

A – Agree the Big Picture Vision

Once you know your budget and guest numbers, your wedding starts to take shape.

This is where couples can confidently say:
“We want a relaxed summer wedding with 120 guests.”
Or
“We want something small, intimate and wintery.”

This vision becomes your filter. If something doesn’t fit it, it’s a no! Even if it’s trending or looks great online.

This step saves time, money and decision fatigue.

Photo Credit: Doolin Celebrant

N – Navigate & Negotiate (The active shopping stage)

Once you get here, you will start with your desk research. You are online looking at the style and options for the wedding you have ‘Agreed’ on. You are disregarding anything that doesn’t fit and you’ll be aiming to start on your venue as that is the key Date Sensitive item.

You can’t move anything forward until this date is set.

You are starting with choosing the venue and I have resources of what to look for when you go for showarounds. It’s important to not to overkill with wedding viewings as it will just become too confusing.

Once you agree on your venue or have a short list, you now need to do a price, pros and cons. Get everything down and start seeing what you are being offered. This gives you strong clarity that you know everything you are getting and stops buyers regret later. It can alos be used a tool to maybe negotiate with your venue if another is willing to add more value to your package!

Once you have selected your venue, it is critical that you read every contract, ask questions and get everything agreed in writing. Never assume.

You can now repeat this process for each item you book. Your next date sensitive items will be your church / celebrant, photographer, videographer, content creator, make up artist etc…

Once all date sensitive items are cleared, then take your time booking other items not so urgent, remember, you need to put a lot of deposits down early on!

Why the PLAN Method Matters Right Now

Wedding costs are rising, booking windows are longer and many couples are balancing mortgages, rent and young families alongside planning. A longer engagement is no longer unusual, it’s often necessary.

If we assume a €40,000 wedding, a couple would need to save over €2,000 per month between them to fund it comfortably. This is why structure and affordability need to be part of the conversation from day one.

I hear from many couples who rush early decisions, take out loans and later regret it. Wedding planning should feel exciting, not financially stressful.

Your engagement is a special chapter. Start it calmly, plan it intentionally and remember, there is no one right way to get married!