After you've cried all the happy tears, jumped for joy, and called your closest family and friends, you’re ready to start planning for the big day!

Stay relaxed, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you get overwhelmed. To get started, here are the first ten things you should do to begin planning your wedding:

1. Budget

As tempting as it may be to put off this uncomfortable conversation, the sooner you discuss the wedding budget, the better. Your budget will guide all other decisions related to your wedding. Chat with your parents and fiancé to learn what amount you have to work with.

2. Dream a little!

Go out to dinner and daydream about your wedding. Learn about each other's priorities, as well as what you do or don't care for in a wedding. Knowing what each other values will help set expectations.

3. Wedding Planner

According to your budget and needs, does it make sense to hire a wedding planner, month of coordination, or day-of coordinator?

I highly recommend hiring a day-of coordinator at the very least. They’ll be able to solve unforeseen wedding day problems, manage vendors, and help the day go smoothly.

4. Guest List

This was honestly the most challenging part of my own wedding planning experience. Our venue had a maximum capacity of 100 (counting the bridal party and all vendors), and our ideal guest list totaled 150.

To get a realistic idea of how many guests you should expect, ask your parents who they'd like to invite. Be sure to tell them this is a preliminary list; and have them prioritize people into tiers. If you have to make any adjustments to your list later, doing this will be very helpful.

5. Choose Your Bridal Party

Selecting your bridal party can be stressful. Don't let pressure, emotions or the "I was in their bridal party, so I have to have them in mine" mindset sway your judgment.

Choose people who mean the most to you and your fiancé, and consider giving anyone who may feel left out an honorary corsage or a role in the ceremony, such as an usher or candle lighter.

If your sides are uneven, don't worry, there are no wedding rules that say they must match. Instead, imagine humoring your guests when a groomsman walks down the aisle with not one, but two, bridesmaids on his arm, or how cute it could be to have a bridesmaid leading flower girls. There is no set way to organize a bridal party, so have fun with it!

6. Find a Venue

There are many things to consider when venue shopping. Set up dates to tour, and ask in advance about what is included in the cost. Some venues may charge for tablecloths, chairs, set up / take down, etc. Catering and alcohol options are often limited to a select list of providers, so know their regulations in advance.

Make sure to ask if the venue has a backup plan for inclement weather if your ceremony or reception is outdoors and consider the needs of all your guests, including whether or not the venue is handicap accessible.

Take a look at these blogs for Washington venues with water views, on the beach, in the forest, in the mountains or this blog for smaller elopement venues.

7. Book Your Favorite Vendors

As mentioned above, you need to decide which vendors are most important to you and your fiancé. If you've fallen in love with a specific vendor’s work, contact them first. Venues and photographers are usually the first vendors to book up for the year.

Mind your budget and plan accordingly during this process. When calculating costs, don’t forget to account for service charges, gratuities, and taxes.

8. Premarital Counseling

I highly recommend premarital counseling for all couples. Even if you know each other better than the back of your own hand, counseling helps with the little details you wouldn't know to think of. It helps to set expectations for married life, and with it, you'll be putting your best foot forward.

Premarital counseling uses surveys, discussions, role-playing, and independent conversations to help prepare you for married life. It doesn't take up much time and costs little.

10. Enjoy This Time!

Most importantly, enjoy this brief, but exciting stage of life! Try not to stress out about the details of your big day (really, it will all get planned eventually), but instead focus on this special time.