You’re Engaged!!! Now What? – Tips from a Milwaukee Wedding Planner
Congratulations — you’re engaged! You and your now fiancé can officially start this exciting new chapter together. 🎉 As a Milwaukee wedding planner with over 17 years of experience, I know just how thrilling (and overwhelming) this season can be.
Once the initial excitement settles, it’s time to start having meaningful conversations and making a plan. These are the very first steps you should take before diving headfirst into wedding planning in Milwaukee. Trust me — doing these things now will save you hours of time, stress, and budget headaches later.
Talk with your fiance about your vision.
Before anything else, sit down together and talk about what kind of wedding you both want.
- Large or small?
- Traditional or modern?
- Local or destination?
- Indoors or outdoors?
- Springtime soirée or cozy winter celebration?
Getting aligned on your shared vision will make everything else smoother. And if you’re planning a wedding in Milwaukee or Southeast Wisconsin, having a clear vision helps you find the right vendors and venues faster.
Talk with your families about their vision and budget.
Once you’ve had that initial vision talk, it’s time to bring your families into the conversation — especially if they’ll be contributing financially or expect input in the planning.
It’s not always easy, but talking about expectations and money upfront is crucial. Find out:
- What each side is able (and willing) to contribute
- Their thoughts on guest count, traditions, and style
- If there are any non-negotiables on their end
Think of it this way: Would you go house hunting without knowing your budget? Of course not. Don’t plan your wedding that way either.
Make your guest list.
Your guest count will drive every aspect of your wedding — it is the number one driving force of your budget. So before you start reaching out to vendors or booking venues, create your preliminary list. Some tips:
- Involve your families in the process
- Be realistic and intentional (especially if you’re budgeting carefully)
- Remember: About 20% of invited guests typically decline
Guest count can dramatically affect your venue options and overall spend. Don’t start looking at venues until you have your guest list.
Contract a Milwaukee wedding planner!
Now is a great time to bring in a professional Milwaukee wedding planner (👋 hi, that’s us!). With your vision, budget, and guest count figured out, a planner can help you bring it all together — without the overwhelm.
Some common myths about wedding planners:
- They’re only for big-budget weddings (false!)
- They’re a luxury (also false)
The truth? Most of today’s couples are busy professionals juggling careers, home ownership, and life. Wedding planning takes about 400 hours — and a planner can cut that time dramatically while keeping you on budget. In many cases, our services pay for themselves by preventing costly mistakes and maximizing your investment.
Start looking at venues.
Once you’ve nailed down the first four steps, now you can start reaching out to Milwaukee wedding venues. Set up tours, review pricing, and get a feel for each space.
Important: Many couples skip ahead and book a venue before finalizing their guest list or budget — which often leads to stress, overspending, or needing to scale back plans. Save yourself the stress and follow the right order. Your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts from a Milwaukee Wedding Planner
Getting engaged is one of the most magical times in your life — enjoy it! But when you’re ready to start planning, having a thoughtful strategy makes all the difference.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just want expert guidance from someone who knows the Milwaukee wedding scene inside and out, I’d love to help. Reach out anytime — let’s make your dream day beautifully stress-free.
