Why You’re Not Behind (Even If You Haven’t Booked a Venue Yet)

If you haven’t booked your venue yet, you might be hearing those four fun words:

“Aren’t you behind already?”

Nope. You’re not.

Truth is, a lot of brides jump into booking a venue without a clear idea of what they actually want from their wedding day—and that’s when costs balloon and stress sets in. The smartest weddings? They start with intention.

Let’s walk through 3 simple steps you can take today that will give you instant clarity—and help you book your venue (and everything else) with confidence.

01

Write down what you and your partner want to remember about the day

Why it matters:
This one step changes everything. Instead of planning around trends, you’re planning around feelings. What do you want to remember five years from now? That your wedding was meaningful? Hilarious? Peaceful? Intimate? That you danced for hours?

When you’re clear on how you want the day to feel, you’ll be able to make choices that support that—venue included.

📝 Prompt to try:
“In five years, I want to remember that our wedding felt…”

02

Jot down how you want your guests to feel

Why it matters:
You’re planning an experience—not just a party. Whether you want your guests to feel energized, cozy, carefree, or totally wowed, that vision influences everything from layout to music to timeline.

📝 Prompt to try:
“When our guests leave, I want them to say the wedding was…”

03

Identify 3 non-negotiables

Why it matters:
These are your anchors. If everything else fades into the background, what 3 things must happen for your wedding to feel like a success? These priorities help you make decisions faster and say “no” to things that don’t matter as much.

📝 Prompt to try:
“What 3 things matter most to us, no matter what?”
Examples: dancing all night, staying on budget, photos with everyone, tacos, etc.

The truth? Taking time to get clear on these three things isn't putting you behind—it's putting you ahead.

While other couples might rush into booking the first available venue, you'll walk into every conversation knowing exactly what you're looking for. You'll ask better questions, make faster decisions, and most importantly, you'll book a venue that actually fits the wedding you want to have.

So take a deep breath, grab your partner, and spend 20 minutes working through these prompts. Your future self (and your stress levels) will thank you.