How to Get Started on Your Wedding Planning

You’re Engaged—Now What?

First of all: CONGRATULATIONS! You said “yes,” your ring is glimmering (or at least you keep checking to make sure it still is), and now… the questions begin.

When’s the date? Where’s it going to be? Do we invite your cousin’s ex-boyfriend?

We get it. We’ve been lucky enough to photograph over 200 weddings across Texas and beyond, and we can tell you—you’re not alone if you’re feeling a mix of excitement and “where do I even start?”

We’re Royce and Michelle, a San Antonio wedding photographer team based just outside the city. We bring a relaxed, journalistic approach to weddings, and over the years, we’ve stood in the middle of every kind of celebration—from intimate Hill Country elopements to massive, mariachi-filled ballroom receptions.

This guide is for you—the couples in the middle of the Pinterest rabbit hole, the spreadsheet starters, and even the procrastinators. Let’s break it all down so you can start your planning with clarity (and maybe even a smile).

Step 1: Figure Out What Matters Most

Before you talk money, venues, or anything else, sit down together and talk about what really matters to you both.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we imagine a big, bustling wedding or something more intimate?

• Is the location more important than the date?

• What would make the day feel personal and meaningful?

We once had a couple tell us they wanted to get married under a tree with simple decor—minimal decorations, just their people, and good food. Another bride told us she didn't care about flowers or favors, but she wanted a church ceremony because that was important to them. Those choices? They shaped their whole wedding in the most beautiful way.

Your priorities will be the anchor when everything else starts swirling.

Step 2: Budget Without Losing the Romance

Let’s talk money—yep, the least romantic part of this process, but one of the most important.

Whether you’re funding the wedding yourselves, getting help from family, or working with a set savings goal, knowing your numbers will save you stress later.

Tips to keep it simple:

• Start with a ballpark range, not exact figures

• Allocate more toward what matters most to you (photography, food, or a killer band)

• Expect to go a little over—but be honest about limits

💡 Photographer tip: Don’t leave your must-haves for last. If photos are important, don’t wait to book us until after the napkin colors are picked. You’ll thank yourself later.

Step 3: Pick a Date or at Least a Season

If you have a dream date—amazing. But most couples find it easier (and less stressful) to start with a season they love.

Spring and fall are prime wedding seasons in San Antonio. The Hill Country blooms in April, and by October, the heat mellows into golden-hour perfection.

We had one couple who wanted wildflowers, so they chose a weekday in April and got the most stunning Texas bluebonnet backdrop you could imagine. (Yes, we got a few allergy sneezes in the mix, but worth it.)

Keep flexibility in your back pocket. Your dream venue or vendor might already be booked on your first-choice date—but available a week later.

Step 4: Book the “Big 3” Vendors First

This one’s a game-changer. Once you have a general timeframe, focus on booking these three first:

✅ Your Venue

It sets the tone for everything—your guest count, the flow of the day, and even your dress code.

✅ Your Photographer

Hey, that’s us! (Or someone else you click with!)
Great photographers often book 12–18 months in advance. Look for someone whose style matches your vision and whose energy feels right. You’ll be spending your whole day with them, after all.

✅ Your Planner or Coordinator

Even if you’re DIY-ing most of it, a month-of coordinator will be your sanity saver.
We’ve seen firsthand how smooth (or not) a wedding can go depending on this one role.

Tip: Once you’ve got these three in place, the rest will fall into line more naturally.

Step 5: Build a Guest List… and Expect It to Evolve

Ah, the guest list. Equal parts joy and negotiation.

Start by drafting your “ideal” list together—no pressure yet. Then, split it into:

• Must-Haves (VIPs, non-negotiables)

• Would-Likes (friends, extended family, fun coworkers)

• Maybes (plus-ones, distant relatives)

Don’t overthink it early on. Your venue’s capacity and your budget will help trim the list as you go.

Pro tip: We once photographed a 300-person wedding that felt calm and connected, and a 20-person elopement that was chaotic. It’s not the size—it’s the intention.

Step 6: Use Planning Tools That Actually Help

You don’t need a 47-tab Excel sheet (unless you’re into that).
Here are a few tools our couples love:

• Zola: for timelines, registries, and checklists

• Google Drive or Notion: for shared docs and inspiration boards

• Printed wedding planner notebooks: for those who love to write things down

💡 Insider tip: We’ve built a timeline guide for our couples that includes photo suggestions, best light windows, and real examples from San Antonio venues. Here is one for a Catholic Mass as well.

Step 7: Celebrate the Small Stuff

This is a season worth remembering—not just the wedding day, but the whole journey.

Book your engagement session and make it a fun date night. Plan a cake tasting. Try on outfits just for fun. Celebrate saying “yes” to a venue with a margarita.

We had a couple bring dad to their engagement session and end the shoot with a dinner out. It’s your story—make it feel like you.

Step 8: Trust Your Vendor Team

Once you’ve chosen your core vendors, lean into their experience. We’re here for more than just the “click” of the camera.

We’ve:

• Pinned boutonnieres

• Helped with ties.

• Found missing rings (true story: it was in the bridal bag the whole time)

• Calmed down nervous grooms and teary dads

When you trust your team, you get to actually enjoy your day. We know how to guide, reassure, and pivot without you ever noticing there was a hiccup.

Why Work with a San Antonio Wedding Photographer Early On?

Your photographer is more than someone with a nice camera—they’re the one who helps guide your timeline, navigate San Antonio’s unique venues and weather patterns, and tell your story with heart.

We’ve worked at dozens of San Antonio venues—from the McNay to the Pearl—and we know how to catch that golden light, dodge that summer heat, and sneak you away for a quiet moment in the middle of it all.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This (and We’ve Got Your Back)

If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this:

You don’t have to plan the whole wedding today. Just take the first step.

Talk about what matters. Set a budget that works. Pick a season. Lock in your big three.

And when you’re ready for real, meaningful photos that feel like you—we’d love to chat. Not just because we’ve been behind the lens for hundreds of love stories, but because we truly believe yours deserves to be told well by a San Antonio wedding photographer who gets it.

💌 Want more planning tips or a photography guide?

Check out our blog at www.walstonphoto.com/blog or drop us a message—no pressure, just people who’ve been there, ready to help.