by Kasia Sickau Photography

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting chapters in your life — but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming fast. Between Pinterest boards, vendor meetings, guest lists, and managing expectations (your own and others), it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: celebrating your love story.

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the honor of walking alongside dozens of couples through their planning journey — capturing not just the big moments, but the little ones that truly make your day yours. So today, I’m sharing some tried-and-true wedding planning tips and tricks to help make your process smoother, more intentional, and filled with joy.

1. Start with your priorities — not the checklist
Before diving into timelines and color palettes, sit down with your fiancé and ask: What do we want to feel on our wedding day? Maybe it’s relaxed and intimate, or high-energy and elegant. Maybe great food and music matter more than centerpieces. Your priorities will guide every decision and keep you grounded when things get overwhelming.

2. Hire vendors you trust — and vibe with
Your vendor team is the backbone of your wedding day. From your planner to your photographer, choose people who “get” your vision and bring calm, creative energy to the process. You’re inviting them into one of the most personal days of your life — trust and connection go a long way.

3. Build a timeline that serves you
So many couples underestimate how fast the day goes. Pad your timeline with buffer moments — time to breathe, snack, cry happy tears, or sneak away for sunset photos. (Pro tip: Golden hour portraits are always worth it.) A stress-free timeline = magic in your photos.

4. Don’t skip the engagement session
An engagement session is about more than cute photos — it’s a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, connect with your photographer, and celebrate your love in a low-pressure setting. Trust me, it makes the wedding day smoother and more fun.

5. Do a first look — or don’t. But make it yours
First looks are amazing for calming nerves and getting gorgeous, emotional portraits done early. But if you’re dreaming of seeing each other for the first time at the altar — that’s beautiful too. Just make sure you carve out intentional time to be alone together at some point in the day. You’ll thank yourselves later.

6. Let go of perfection — embrace presence
There will be tiny things that don’t go exactly as planned. Let them go. The moments you’ll remember most won’t be the ones that looked perfect — they’ll be the ones that felt like you. Laugh when the flower girl refuses to walk. Dance barefoot. Kiss a lot. This is your story.

Bonus: Plan for your photos to live beyond your phone
Invest in a wedding album you’ll flip through with your kids one day. Frame a portrait for your hallway. Your love deserves more than just a spot on the camera roll.

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t just an event — it’s the beginning of your marriage. So make decisions that feel true to you. I’ll be right there with you, capturing it all with care, creativity, and heart.