# Ep 45 • How to Start Planning Your Wedding: Budget, Priorities & What Not to Assume

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/weddings-unscripted-7107449/ep-45-how-to-start-planning-your-wedding-budget-priorities-what-not-to-assume.md
Podcast: [Weddings Unscripted](https://stenobird.com/podcast/weddings-unscripted-7107449)
Published: 2026-04-08T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://f3ff8f39-81f5-4e6c-862a-d1a388f3e252.libsyn.com/ep-45-how-to-start-planning-your-wedding-budget-priorities-what-not-to-assume
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/f3ff8f39-81f5-4e6c-862a-d1a388f3e252/WU_-_Ep_45.mp3?dest-id=4805187
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Duration seconds: 2704

## Resource

You just got engaged — now what? Before you book a single vendor, there's a conversation you need to have (and most couples skip it). In this episode of Weddings Unscripted, we are breaking down exactly how to kick off your wedding planning the right way — from that first budget conversation to knowing which vendors to book first . With 19+ years of combined experience, we walk through the biggest rookie mistakes couples make (hello, "venue poor"), why you should never assume anything is included, and what happens when nothing is in writing. Whether you're newly engaged or already deep in the planning trenches, this episode is packed with wedding planning tips, vendor booking strategies, and real-talk budget advice to help you stay organized and sane. Download your free planning checklist at www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist to follow along! Key Takeaways Don't skip the budget conversation. About 50% of your wedding budget should cover venue, food, and beverage — knowing that number early helps you avoid becoming "venue poor" and informs every other decision. Book limited-availability vendors first. Photographers, hair & makeup teams, and bands only have one of them — prioritize locking those in before chasing decor details or lighting. Get everything in writing, always. Verbal promises mean nothing. If a venue or vendor commits to something — hours, exceptions to rules, special setups — ask for it in writing. One family learned this the hard way when their party was shut down two hours early with zero documentation to fight back. Chapter 00:00 — Welcome & What We're Covering Today 01:07 — When Should You Actually Start Planning? 06:33 — The 50% Budget Rule for Venue & Catering 08:05 — How Venues Book vs. How Planners Book 13:21 — Staying Organized Wit…

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