6 Essential Wedding Planning Questions to Ask Yourself BEFORE You Start Planning

It’s incredibly easy to be wrapped up in the moodboards, Instagram doomscrolls and wedding showcases when you first start wedding planning. In order to make sure that your day reflects your true values as a couple AND saves you expense heartbreak, these are 6 essential questions to get clear on together. As a Toronto and Vaughan luxury wedding planner, here’s the 6 golden questions I live by:

1. How much are you ok with spending?

It’s important to note that this question goes beyond simply how much are you OK with spending…it can be broken down into how much do you want to spend and how much can you actually spend? One of the biggest causes of stress for couples during wedding planning is when budgets and vision don’t align. Having a financial discussion at the start of wedding planning (and having someone guide and remind you of this number as you continue to plan) can save stress and headaches down the line.

It’s also important to take a realistic look at your savings and decide what you feel comfortable spending on the wedding as a whole. Having a planner for your day is a great way to have someone help to allocate funds where need be to get the maximum effect for your budget.

2. Who do you want there to celebrate with you?

This is an important question because it directly ties into budget. The more people, the bigger the venue, the more table settings, drinks and food that will be required, and therefore more money spent. Begin by thinking about who you couldn’t possibly say ‘I do’ without, and work your way to the outer relationship circles from there. Opting for no plus-ones or an adult only event can also help slim the guest list if deciding feels hard.

3. What aspects are most and least important to you?

3. What aspects are most and least important to you?

When in the early stages of wedding planning, figuring out between your two, what the most important and least important aspects of the day are for you as a couple is key to figuring out how to allocate your budget.

There’s no set list of vendors that you absolutely must hire for your wedding day, it’s all about which vendors will be needed to make your dream come true.

Do you want to be able to look back on the day years from now? Invest in a great photographer, videographer or content creator.

Hate the concept of being on the dance floor? You don’t HAVE to have a DJ. Really into food? Maybe having an amazing catering team is a top priority for you.

Do you get overwhelmed easily? Hiring a wedding planner might be for you.

But ultimately, there are no rules that you must play by when planning a wedding.

4. How involved in the planning process do you want to be?

I understand that not everyone dreams of coordinating every detail of their special day, and that’s perfectly okay. Between demanding careers, vibrant social lives, and nurturing your relationship, your plate is already full. If the thought of planning feels overwhelming or simply not your style, entrusting the process to a seasoned professional is one of the best decisions you can make. A skilled wedding planner doesn’t only bring your vision to life, we can help you stay on budget and avoid costly missteps. Most importantly, we’ll give you the gift of peace of mind (and that’s truly priceless).

5. What do you want your day to FEEL like?

While Pinterest can be a blessing to wedding planning, it can also be a curse. It can be fabulous for inspiration, but I always urge my couples to also think about before the design what they want the day to feel like. Do you want it to feel relaxed and like an intimate dinner party? Do you want it to feel like a big high energy celebration? The feeling that you want from the day will also inform the way we design your wedding.

6. Do you want a local or destination wedding?

With your budget, vibe and guest list taking shape, it’s time to turn your attention to one of the most meaningful choices you’ll make: the location.

Your wedding venue sets the tone for your entire celebration and it also plays a key role in shaping both your budget and your final guest count.

A local wedding offers the comfort of familiarity and tends to be more cost-effective for your guest without the added complexities of travel.

On the other hand, destination weddings are a beautiful option for couples who share a passion for travel or have a location close to their hearts. While they often may limit who can join you, they naturally create a more intimate atmosphere which can be perfect for those envisioning a smaller, more personal celebration without the pressure of trimming the guest list.

So before booking any vendors take the time, just the two of you, to sit down and discuss these 6 essential wedding planning questions together. If you need help with planning or budgeting for your 2026/2027 wedding, I am always happy to help! Click HERE to contact me and let’s get started!

Vendor List:

Venue: @venueventspace

Photo: @lifeas.sheknowsit

Video: @tveproductions

Content Creator: @xo.social

Makeup: @rmbeauty.lounge @lilyhobeauty

Wedding Dress: @monariche

Groom’s Suit: @4menunited

Flowers & Decor: @rightchoicelinen

Stationery: @stephita.invitations

DJ: @digitalxent