What to book first for your Wedding?

You’ve said “yes!”, you’re still staring at the ring every five minutes, and suddenly the reality hits… you need to plan a wedding.

One of the very first questions couples ask is: “What should we book first?” With so many moving parts: dresses, suits, flowers, cakes, decor, entertainment; it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even begun.

The truth is, there are three things you should prioritise first and foremost above everything else:

1. Registrar, Celebrant or Vicar

2. Venue

3. Photography

Everything else can fall into place around these key decisions. Let’s talk about why these three things matter most and why booking them early will save you stress (and heartache!) later down the line.

1. Registrar, Celebrant or Vicar – The Person Who Makes It Official

This one might sound obvious, but it’s often overlooked in the early excitement. You can’t legally get married without a Registrar or a Vicar. And if you’re choosing a Celebrant-led ceremony, while it may not be legally binding on its own, they are still central to the heart of your day.

Your ceremony isn’t just the formal bit before the party starts. It’s the moment. The reason everyone is there. The part where you make promises to each other that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re getting married in a church with a Vicar, booking a Registrar through your local council, or choosing a Celebrant to create something completely bespoke, availability is always limited, especially for popular dates in spring and summer. So make sure you get booked in nice and early to avoid disappointment!

But beyond availability, there’s something even more important, connection.

If you’re opting for a Celebrant or a Vicar who takes the time to get to know you both, you’ll want space in your planning timeline to build that relationship. Many Celebrants will meet with you several times, learn your story, and help you write personalised vows that truly reflect who you are as a couple. Now, that doesn’t happen overnight. Choosing someone you genuinely connect with makes a huge difference. When you feel comfortable, relaxed and understood, your ceremony becomes more natural, more emotional and more you. And trust me, that authenticity shines through in your photographs too.

So before you get swept up in colour palettes and centrepieces, make sure the person who’s actually marrying you is secured and aligned with your vision.

2. Venue – The Setting for Your Story

Your venue does so much more than simply provide a roof over your head. It sets the tone. It shapes the atmosphere. It becomes the backdrop to one of the most important days of your life.

Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn, an elegant manor house, a chic city space or a relaxed countryside marquee, your venue influences almost every other decision you’ll make, from guest numbers to decor, from catering to your timeline. And practically speaking, you need somewhere to host both your ceremony and your reception (unless you’re planning separate locations, which also needs careful scheduling, not forgetting to think about travel and parking). Popular venues can book up three years, sometimes more, in advance, particularly for peak Saturdays. If you have your heart set on a specific date or location, this should absolutely be one of your first enquiries.

But beyond availability, here’s something couples sometimes forget to consider: how will it look in your photographs?

As a Wedding Photographer, I see firsthand how much a venue contributes to your final gallery. Natural light, scenic surroundings, beautiful architecture, thoughtfully designed interiors; all of these elements help create timeless, emotive images. Especially because I photograph across Suffolk and Norfolk, I get to see some of the most stunning Norfolk Countryside Wedding Venues and even Suffolk Beachside Wedding Venues.

Of course, stunning photos can be created anywhere. But choosing a venue that feels picturesque and aligned with your style gives you an incredible foundation. Think about:

• Are there outdoor spaces for couple portraits?

• What is the indoor lighting like?

• Are there quiet corners for more intimate moments?

• Does the setting reflect your personalities?

You’re not just hiring a venue. You’re choosing the space where you’ll exchange vows, laugh with your closest friends, hug your grandparents, and dance the night away. You want somewhere that feels right. Somewhere you can create beautiful memories within. Somewhere that, years from now, will instantly transport you back when you look at your photographs.

3. Photography – Your Memories, Preserved Forever

Now, I maybe slightly biased here (Just maybe…) but Wedding Photography truly is one of the most important investments you’ll make. Once the confetti has settled, the flowers have wilted and the cake has been eaten, your photographs are what remain.

But here’s the honest truth: most people don’t love having their photo taken. And if that is you, then don’t worry, I hear it all the time!

On your wedding day, however, you’ll have the “paparazzi” (AKA potentially me) around you 24/7. From bridal prep in the morning through to the dance floor in the evening, your Wedding Photographer will be by your side capturing it all. That’s why it’s so important to choose someone you genuinely feel comfortable with. You need a photographer you can relax around. Someone you can have a laugh with. Someone who makes you feel at ease rather than self-conscious. Because when you’re comfortable, your images look natural and joyful instead of stiff and posed.

Connection matters just as much as skill. And then there’s style:

When it comes to photography, “what you see is what you get”, if you’re scrolling through a Wedding Photographer’s website or Instagram and you love what you see: the colours, the editing style, the way they capture emotion; then that’s a strong sign that you’ve found your match.

Every Wedding Photographer is different. Elements such as: equipment, experience, technical knowledge, and perhaps most importantly, creative flair, all combine to create a unique end result. No matter what anyone says, photography is not something that can simply be replicated.

Two photographers can stand in the exact same spot, at the exact same time, and produce completely different images.

That’s the beauty of it.

Your photographer’s eye, their instincts, their personality (because how they make you feel MATTERS, and also shows on your photos) all of that shapes your wedding gallery. So choose carefully. Choose someone whose work you consistently love and someone whose approach resonates with you.

And book early:

Many photographers only take on a limited number of weddings per year to ensure each couple gets the attention they deserve. Once a date is gone, it’s gone.

Why These Three Come First

Everything else: flowers, styling, entertainment, stationery, favours; can be built around these core decisions.

Your Registrar or Celebrant confirms you can legally and meaningfully marry. Your Venue secures the time and place. Your Photographer ensures those moments are preserved forever. Without one of those pieces, the puzzle doesn’t quite work.

By booking these first, you create a solid foundation. From there, planning becomes far less overwhelming because you have your date, your setting and your key suppliers locked in.

A Final Thought…

Wedding planning should be exciting. Yes, there will be spreadsheets and emails and the occasional tricky decision, but at its heart, it’s about celebrating your love story. Take your time with the big choices. Meet people. Ask questions. Trust your instincts. When you find a Registrar who understands your vision, a Venue that makes your heart skip a beat, and a Photographer whose work you adore and whose personality puts you at ease - you’ll know. And once those three are booked? You can breathe a little easier and start looking forward to the fun parts.

If you’re currently searching for a Wedding Photographer in the Suffolk, Norfolk or East Anglia area in general, and would like someone by your side who will keep things relaxed, down to earth and full of laughter, I’d absolutely love to hear from you.

After all, this isn’t just about booking a supplier…

It’s about choosing the people who will help shape the memories of one of the most important days of your life.

Always the Photographer, NOW THE BRIDE!

Hey I’m Emma: Suffolk Wedding Photographer, Dog Mum, Seaside lover and I finally get to say it, BRIDE. I also finally get to create the Blog post that I’ve probably had written in my head for the past 3 years; whilst ‘patiently’ waiting for a ring.

Last August my amazing other half Jack proposed to me in a way that I could never have written in my wildest dreams. I was never one to expect a crazy proposal, in fact the thought of being proposed to in front of a crowd of people, had never crossed my mind. I pictured somewhere abroad, quiet and on a beach during sunset… Well, I got the sunset part right. But in general, boy was I wrong. Now get comfy and let me tell you all about about my 30th birthday party; An evening event at Jack’s Football Club, filled with my closest family and friends, which turned into a very different type of party.

I did the usual things that you’d want to do on the day when you’re entering a new decade: get your hair done, your make-up done and spend far too many hours getting ready. Not to mention take the dog for the biggest walk EVER, in hope they’ll sleep whilst you’re out. I felt extremely nervous leading up to the party as everyone had gone rather ‘quiet’ and I had the usual thoughts going through my head that you have when you host a party; ‘what if no one shows’, but I was surprised that when I arrived on time, half the guests were already there. - Seriously, who turns up on time to a birthday party?! Certainly not us usually. We always have the best intentions, but let’s be real, it never happens does it?

Everything was normal for the first half an hour, I was wowed at the incredible decor that my best friends had put together for me indoors: pin the camera on the Photographer, giant handmade 30 letters with lights, floating photos and the DJ that Jack had hired, so all was well and my nerves started to calm. Well, that was all rather premature and naive! The next thing I knew, the room had cleared, everyone was outside, it was just after 8pm and oddly, nearly every guest had arrived already (very prompt and polite of them all I might add!). It was just Jack and I left inside with the Club’s Chairman, I made polite conversation but my inner thoughts were ‘why is everyone outside and missing out on all the effort made?’; something was going on and I knew it, Jack was sweating and answering his phone every 30 seconds. All extremely sketchy.

8:15pm:

Jack: ‘Right, let’s have a whole group photo outside with our backs to the pitch’; which is sort of a normal thing to do I thought and I went with it because let’s face it, I’m a Photographer and I LOVE PHOTOS.

8:17pm:

Longest 2 minutes of my life and the photo is still being taken! By this point I’m pretty sure I had the shakes and all I knew is that no one wanted me to turn around.

THE TURN:

I was just delighted to see Jack and our Cockapoo Albie as I turned around, too excited about the fact that the dog was there to notice what was going on (also slightly deflated after my amazing efforts to calm him before I came out), I was so distracted that I hadn’t noticed that Jack was on one knee, that my Nan was there AND…

The giant array of balloons proposing to me on the football field!

I could never have imagined it; it was beautiful, at sunset and unbelievably personal with all of Jack’s friends and family holding the balloons for us! (Whilst Albie desperately tried to get out of his struggle cuddle to get to the balloons)

Need I say more; I gave a big ‘YES’ and was entirely overwhelmed with gratitude and love for the rest of the night. I still feel like the luckiest girl alive and I’m beyond happy with my happily ever after, as I know I got it long before I was engaged anyway.

What came next?

Well, Jack thought he might get a few years off after this award winning proposal, however I think he forgot who he was proposing to; a Wedding Photographer who already had the entire Wedding planned in her head (Well about 50 variations).

Needless to say it was just 2 months later and our Destination Wedding Venue in Italy, Tuscany, had been visited, booked and well underway to being planned! Roll on 31.08.23; where the Wedding Photographer becomes the Bride.

Now my proposal story has come to an end, don’t forget to check out my Wedding Planning Blog section where I have more advice if you’re planning your Wedding, along with sharing my own Wedding Planning journey and what I’m learning along the way!

Emma x