So you’re engaged—cue the champagne pop and happy tears!

Now comes the “Wait… what do we do first?” phase.

As a Kansas City wedding photographer who’s been part of more wedding days than I can count (and cried at 90% of them, let’s be real), I’ve seen firsthand how the planning process can either be smooth and fun—or feel like a chaotic Pinterest board exploded in your inbox.

Let’s keep it calm, organized, and joyful, shall we?

Here’s a simple, no-fluff wedding planning timeline for Kansas City couples to help you know exactly what to book first (and when):

12–18 Months Out: Start with the Big 3

1. Book your venue

This locks in your date and sets the tone for your entire wedding. Whether you’re dreaming of a downtown rooftop or a garden ceremony, venues book fast—especially for spring and fall dates in KC.

2. Hire your photographer

Once your date is official, your next move is your photographer (hi, it’s me! 👋). We often book 12–18 months out, and if you want dreamy golden hour portraits, emotional candids, and someone who knows the KC scene inside and out—I’ve got you.

3. Find your planner (if you’re hiring one)

Whether you want full planning or just a day-of coordinator, the good ones get snatched up early.

9–12 Months Out: Build Your Dream Team

• Book your videographer (if you’re having one)
• Choose your florist
• Lock in your caterer + bar service
• Start shopping for the dress 👗

If you’re going the DIY route or using a venue with in-house services, you may have a slightly shorter to-do list—but it’s still smart to start early.

6–9 Months Out: Engagement Photos + Details

• Schedule your engagement session (I can help you with outfit and location ideas!)
• Order your save-the-dates
• Book hair + makeup artists
• Choose rentals if your venue doesn’t include them

Pro tip: I send all my couples a prep guide for their engagement session so you feel totally ready and not awkward on camera.

3–6 Months Out: All the Pretty Things

• Send your invites
• Finalize your ceremony timeline
• Meet with your photographer (that’s me!) to start building your photo timeline
• Plan your bridal shower, bachelorette party, etc.
• Choose ceremony music + readings

Now’s the time when it really starts to feel real—and I’ll be here to walk you through the timeline part step by step.

1–2 Months Out: Final Touches

• Do a venue walk-through
• Confirm your shot list with me (must-have family combos, special moments, etc.)
• Schedule your hair/makeup trial
• Build your wedding day timeline (psst—I made this part EASY for you 👇)

Feeling a Little More Confident About Your Wedding To-Do List?

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. As your photographer, I’m here to make things feel seamless, supportive, and stress-free from the very beginning.

📅 Want to check “photographer” off your list early?
Visit my website to view full galleries, read kind words from past couples, and inquire about your date. Let’s make sure your memories are captured beautifully, effortlessly, and authentically.