Does anyone else feel like it’s just wild we are already thinking about 2023? I have to be honest with you, I am a planner. I love to plan different parties, milestones, budgets, everything. Although I don’t consider myself Type A (not even close), I do love thinking about the future and feeling excited about what the future will bring. Typing 2023 though, feels a little insane. Where have the last few years gone?! As I start to prepare for all of the incredible weddings I am photographing in 2022, I figured I would just share a few things I am seeing as an Edmonton wedding photographer and share some tips for couples thinking about planning an Edmonton wedding in 2023!

First – NO, you aren’t too early to start planning an Edmonton wedding in 2023!

Some couples are already reaching out to secure wedding dates, venues, and vendors for 2024 (again… just wild). But let me also just add this: there is a lot of noise online about how vendors are booking quickly and you should rush out the second you get engaged and book all of your favorites. Although I DO think you should consider your priorities and book your favorite vendors, you don’t need to get it done this weekend. There are certain vendors (like your wedding venue for example!) that are way too big to be rushed. As a wedding photographer, the idea of scaring a couple into booking with me for fear of missing out also just feels really icky.

So here’s some candid advice. If you are honest with your vendors, they will be honest with you (at least – I hope!). I have no problem talking about what my 2022 or 2023 availability looks like, and whether or not you really have to book me right now or not to secure your spot. My intention is NEVER to pressure someone into booking. Honestly, that’s just not how my mind works, which might make me “bad at marketing”, but I don’t care. If you have a date in mind and think I might be the right fit but you aren’t quite ready to book yet (for whatever reason!), reach out here or send me a DM over on Instagram!

Okay, that turned into a bit of a rant. The TL;DR version? Don’t rush out and book all of your vendors this weekend (unless you want to!). 

The First Steps To Planning an Edmonton Wedding in 2023

I’ve written a whole post on the first steps to planning a wedding, which you can check out here.

But for the sake of focusing on 2023 weddings, I just want to say: let yourself enjoy this time! Trust me, being engaged is such a special, yet fleeting, moment of your love story. Often times couples are so excited about “what’s next” and starting the new chapter, that they completely forget to enjoy the one they are in. And as someone who has been there, it doesn’t last long!!

A couple of ways to enjoy your engagement (should this be a whole post soon?!)

1. Buy the cute things you’ll use a few times and never again. Whether that’s the jean jacket with your new last name (if you are changing it) or the bride and/or groom cups you’ll only use once.
2. Book your engagement photos! So often, couples think they have to book their engagement photos with their wedding photographer (and that IS recommended for obvious reasons), but listen, you can book more than one engagement photoshoot. You actually don’t have to have everything figured out before you and your spouse-to-be get in front of a camera together!

3. Plan many cute dates. Seriously, I’m a big fan of a weekly date night. Whether you commit to one night a week or just an activity you two always do together, make it count. Wedding planning is stressful the more you get into it so prioritize the fun parts NOW.

Your 2023 Wedding Planning Checklist

For the planners out there reading this going “when is she going to tell me how to plan a wedding in 2023”, here is what you need to do now:

1. 1. Create your wedding budget and guest list. All other decisions will require this be done.
   2. Decide whether or not to book a wedding planner. You can read more of my thoughts about this here!
   3. Book your wedding venue, because you really don’t have a date until you have a wedding venue.
   4. Once your wedding venue is booked, start to book your other wedding vendors. Base them on PRIORITY, not what an online blog says (for example, I’m obviously going to tell you to book your wedding photographer first).
   5. Ignore what wedding planning sites like TheKnot says about what your budget “should be” or what order you “should” book your vendors. The checklists of to do’s might be helpful, but the timeline isn’t. Is stunning stationery important to you? Don’t wait until 6 months prior to book (or whatever ridiculous timeline they give you).

It’s your first time planning a wedding but trust your gut here. Don’t be afraid to ask your other wedding vendors what they think too! Most of us are happy to refer other creatives and wedding industry people we love to work with. Or offer helpful wedding planning tips based on past experiences or what we are seeing as current trends.

Don’t forget to look at real weddings in Edmonton

Last but not least, if you are reading this at the time is was published (April 2022!), you have time and we are just about to enter an incredibly busy wedding season. Your wedding vendors might be slower to get back to you because they are busy with other couples, but use this extra time to your advantage. Follow your favorite wedding people and hashtags over on Instagram (you can find me here!), and start saving different bits of inspiration! You’ll be glad you did!