Planning a wedding comes with what feels like a million decisions—but before you dive into the details, there are four foundational choices that will shape your entire planning journey:

1. Guest Count – Why starting with a realistic number matters and how it impacts every other decision.
2. Budget – How to approach it without stress and make sure it reflects your priorities.
3. Date – Tips for choosing a wedding date that makes sense for you, your families, and your venue.
4. Venue – Why this is often the biggest piece of the puzzle and how to make the right choice.

In this episode, I’m joined by April Warner, our Director of Team Development and Senior Lead Planner, to walk you through each of these steps. Together, we’ll share insider insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips to help you feel confident in your earliest (and most important!) wedding decisions.

Whether you’re newly engaged or feeling stuck on where to start, this conversation will give you a clear path forward—so you can plan with more joy and less overwhelm.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The order you should make your first wedding decisions
• How your guest count drives your budget (and why it’s not just about numbers)
• Smart ways to set a budget that actually works for you
• What to consider when choosing your wedding date
• Why your venue decision impacts nearly every other choice you’ll make

Gift for You:

• Download our complete Wedding Budget Checklist with every line item you’ll want to consider → Download Here

Links & Resources:

• Follow along on Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany
• Visit my website for planning tools & resources: www.jstarrweddingcompany.com

Let’s Connect:
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