2. The First 5 Decisions: Setting Your Wedding Vibe, Guest Count, and Budget Anchor

Welcome back! If you’ve just finished enjoying your engagement afterglow, you've handled the easy wins. Now, it's time to translate that joy into actionable planning.

The biggest mistake couples make is starting to browse before they've set their own rules. Without rules, you’ll end up overwhelmed by Pinterest boards and over-budget from impulse browsing.

I’m Leeann Cook, your Melbourne Civil Celebrant and online wedding planner, and I’m here to give you the framework. These next five decisions are your non-negotiables. They form the anchor for your entire wedding plan, saving you time, stress, and—most importantly—money. Ready to set your foundation? Let's dive in.

The 5 Foundational Anchors

1. Lock Down Your Budget Ceiling (The Non-Negotiable Number)

First up—the toughest conversation. Lock down your budget ceiling. This is the number you absolutely cannot go over.

• Figure out all your funding sources: Get specific, confirmed figures from all contributors.

• Create an "Oh-Crap" Fund: Add it all up, then immediately subtract 5 to 10% for hidden fees and surprise costs.

• The Ceiling: Whatever's left is your non-negotiable budget ceiling.

Knowing this upfront stops you from falling in love with a venue or designer who's simply out of reach.

2. Define Your Guest List Category (The Guest Count Anchor)

The guest count is the single biggest budget driver. Don't name names yet, just choose your category:

• Intimate (under 50)

• Medium (up to 120)

• Large (120+)

Anchor Tip: Commit to this category. This allows you to immediately filter unsuitable venues. You can tell a venue, "We are only looking for spaces that comfortably hold 100 people," and suddenly, your search gets much simpler.

3. Choose a Season and Year (The Non-Date Date)

You don't need a specific date, but you need a timeframe: The Season and Year.

• Cost Factor: Peak seasons (Spring/Autumn) and Saturdays are most expensive. Look at Fridays, Sundays, or mid-week weddings for potential savings.

• Vibe Factor: Do you envision a lush Spring garden party or a cozy Winter event with mood lighting?

Your action step is simple: Decide on a Year and a preferred Season (e.g., "We aim for Autumn 2026").

HOT TIP: Before you lock in a date, check what else is happening around your venue. Public holidays, concerts, or big sporting events can throw a spanner in the works. Ubers and accommodation might be hard to find, expensive, or cause major traffic delays.

4. Prioritize Your Top 3 Must-Haves (The Splurge Zones)

Since your budget is finite, you can’t have everything.

Go back to those three Vibe Words from the "Engagement Afterglow" exercise and ask: Which elements of the day will deliver those words?

• If your vibe is "Fun, Party, Delicious," then you splurge on Catering, the Band, and the Bar.

• If your vibe is "Intimate, Romantic, Classic," then you splurge on Photography, Styling, and your Celebrant.

By committing to your Top 3 Splurge Zones now, you give yourself permission to spend generously there, knowing you'll be ruthless in saving on everything else.

5. Research Your Ideal Venue Type (The Setting)

Finally, before you book a single tour, research your Ideal Venue Type. This is the single largest line item and dictates everything. We have three main categories:

• All-in-One Venue: Simplified, less hiring, but less customization.

• Blank Canvas Venue: Total creative freedom, but more logistical work.

• Restaurant/Bar Buyout: Guaranteed great food, but limited capacity.

Decide which category fits your budget and your appetite for planning work. This prevents you from wasting time on tours that don't match your vision.

You did it! These five decisions—your Budget Ceiling, Guest Count, Season, Top 3 Splurges, and Venue Type—now form your planning template. Every conversation, every piece of inspiration, and every decision you face must pass the test of these five anchors.

I hope this helps you move past the panic and into confident planning! If you're ready for more stress-free wedding advice, head over to leeanncook.com/weddingplanner to grab my free planning guides and checklists.

And remember, this is your day, your way! I’m here to help guide you through stress-free planning.

Leeann Cook

Melbourne Civil Celebrant / Online Wedding Planner

Get in touch.