“We just got engaged! Now what?”

Congratulations to you both! Now that you’re engaged, where do you start? I recommend setting aside some time—whether in person or on the phone—to talk through the big questions about your wedding day and your life together beyond it. To help, I’ve put together a list of questions to ask your partner to guide your conversations. So, grab some snacks, get comfy, and let’s make your wedding planning easy and fun!

Wedding Planning Questionnaire

I have divided this list into two parts: the first part covers the logistics of your wedding day, and the second part includes honeymoon plans, housing, future life plans, and more.

Wedding Day:

1. Budget and Finances

  • What is our overall budget for the wedding?
    (How much are we comfortable spending, and are there areas where we might want to allocate more funds?)

  • Who will contribute to the wedding expenses (e.g., family members, parents, ourselves)?

  • What is our spending limit for specific areas like the venue, catering, and attire?

  • What expenses are most important to us, and where can we cut back if needed?
    (Are we willing to spend more on photography or food, but reduce decor or floral arrangements?)

  • How will we manage deposits and payments for vendors?
    (What payment schedule will work best for us, and which one of us will be in charge of making payments?)

2. Wedding Vision and Priorities

  • What kind of wedding do we want (e.g., formal, casual, traditional, modern, destination)?

  • What is the most important element of our wedding day (e.g., ceremony, food, photography)?

  • What is less important to us that we’re willing to keep simple or skip (cake cutting, garter toss, floral decor, etc.)?
    (Are there any traditional elements we’re okay with leaving out, like a wedding cake or certain ceremonies?)

  • Do we have any shared themes or styles we want to incorporate?
    (Is there a specific color palette, or a vintage, rustic, or modern theme we’re drawn to?)

  • Are there any must-have details (e.g., special decor, live music, specific flowers)?
    (What’s something non-negotiable, like a particular floral arrangement or an iconic wedding moment?)

3. Guest List and Invitations

  • How many guests do we want to invite?
    (What’s our ideal number for a manageable, intimate day or a larger celebration?)

  • What’s the balance between inviting family, friends, and colleagues?
    (How do we navigate between immediate family and extending invitations to work or distant relatives?)

  • Who are the must-have people we want to attend our wedding?

  • Are we including children or having an adults-only event?

  • Will we send save-the-dates and/or paper invitations?
    (Do we want physical invites, or are we going digital with a wedding website?)

  • How will we collect RSVPs and manage guest communication (email list, wedding website, etc.)?
    (Should we use a wedding website to streamline RSVPs or go with traditional methods?)

4. Venue and Location

  • Where do we want to get married (e.g., city, hometown, destination)?

  • What type of venue appeals to us (e.g., outdoor, banquet hall, historic location)?

  • Do we want a single venue for the ceremony and reception or separate locations?
    How far are we comfortable asking guests to travel?

  • What’s the contingency plan for weather if it’s an outdoor wedding?
    (Should we consider renting tents or moving the ceremony inside if needed?)

5. Ceremony and Reception

  • What type of ceremony do we want (e.g., religious, civil, symbolic)?

  • Who will officiate our ceremony, and what personal touches do we want to include?
    (Would we like a friend or family member to officiate, or hire a professional? Any personalized vows?)

  • How formal or casual do we want the reception to be?
    (Are we having a formal sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail party?)

  • What activities or traditions do we want at the reception (e.g., speeches, first dance)?

  • Do we want to include cultural or family traditions in the ceremony or reception?

6. Food and Beverages

  • What type of meal service do we prefer (e.g., plated, buffet, family-style)?

  • Are there specific foods, cuisines, or drinks that are must-haves?
    (What are the must-have dishes or drinks that reflect us as a couple?)

  • Do we need to accommodate dietary restrictions or special requests for guests?

  • Will we have an open bar, cash bar, or no alcohol?

7. Timeline and Logistics

  • What is our ideal wedding date or time of year?
    (Do we want a summer wedding or something cozy in the winter?)

  • Do we have a backup date in case of scheduling conflicts?

  • How long do we want the wedding day to be?
    (Are we okay with a long day or do we want to keep things more compact?)

  • Will we need transportation for ourselves or guests?
    (Do we need a limo, shuttle service, or private transport for guests?)

  • Are we having pre-wedding day events (e.g., rehearsal dinner, welcome party)?

  • Do we want to incorporate any special events into our timeline (first look, private time after ceremony, etc.)?

8. Vendors and Services

  • What vendors do we need to book first (e.g., photographer, caterer, florist)?
    (Who are the most critical vendors to secure early, and what’s our booking order?)

  • Are there specific professionals or companies we want to work with?
    (Do we have preferences for photographers, florists, or catering services?)

  • What’s our plan for researching and comparing vendor options?
    (How do we plan to evaluate and select vendors—through reviews, referrals, or consultations?)

  • How will we prioritize availability, quality, and budget when selecting vendors?

  • Do we need a wedding planner or day-of coordinator?

9. Attire and Styling

  • What kind of wedding attire do we envision (e.g., formal, semi-formal, casual)?

  • How will we coordinate outfits for the wedding party?

  • Are there any cultural or traditional elements we want to include in our attire?

  • What’s our timeline for shopping for outfits and scheduling fittings?

  • Do we want to have a dress code for our guests (black tie, color code, etc.)?

10. Photography and Videography

  • What type of photography style do we like (e.g., candid, traditional, editorial)?
    (Do we want documentary-style photos, or posed portraits that capture every detail?)

  • Do we want a videographer to capture the day?
    (Should we hire a videographer to create a wedding film or rely on photos alone?)

  • Are there specific moments or shots we want to prioritize?
    (What moments are non-negotiable for photos: walking down the aisle, first kiss, etc.?)

  • How will we use the photos and videos afterward (e.g., albums, sharing online)?
    (Will we create an album or share photos on social media?)

11. Music and Entertainment

  • What type of entertainment do we want (e.g., band, DJ, playlist)?

  • What’s our approach to the ceremony and reception music?
    (What tone or atmosphere do we want to set with music during the ceremony and reception?)

  • Do we want to include interactive elements (e.g., photo booths, games)?
    (Should we have a photo booth, games, or other fun activities for guests?)

  • Are there any specific songs or styles we want for key moments (first dance, mother-son dance, etc.)?

12. Personal and Emotional Considerations

  • How will we balance our preferences with family expectations?

  • How do we want to handle decision-making as a team?
    (What’s our process for making decisions together—voting, discussing, or taking turns?)

  • What’s our plan for staying connected and reducing stress during the planning process (e.g., dates, weekly check-ins)?

13. Honeymoon

  • What kind of honeymoon experience do we want?
    (Relaxing on a beach, exploring a city, an adventure, or something else?)

  • What’s our honeymoon budget?
    (How much do we want to spend, and are there any areas we’re willing to splurge on?)

  • How long do we want our honeymoon to be?
    (A quick getaway or a longer trip?)

  • Do we want our honeymoon trip to be right after the wedding or later?
    (Should we book it right after the wedding or wait a few weeks to relax after the busy wedding day?)

  • Do we want to stay in one destination, or visit multiple places?

  • What time of year is best for us to go?
    (What season works best for the weather and our schedules?)

  • Are there any activities or experiences we want to include?
    (Spa treatments, outdoor adventures, fine dining, or cultural experiences?)

  • Do we want to go somewhere that’s been on our bucket list?

  • Do we want to plan everything ourselves, or hire a travel agent to help?

Future Life Together:

  1. Finances

    • How will we combine or manage our finances after marriage?

    • What are our financial goals for the next 5-10 years (e.g., saving for a home, travel, kids)?

    • Do we have any existing debts or financial obligations we need to address?

  2. Living Arrangements

    • Where do we plan to live after the wedding?

    • Do we agree on owning vs. renting in the long term?

  3. Family and Children

    • Do we want children? If so, when and how many?

    • How do we plan to balance parenting with careers and personal time?

  4. Career and Work-Life Balance

    • How will our jobs and careers affect our future plans (e.g., relocation, work hours)?

    • What are our expectations for work-life balance in marriage?

  5. Values and Goals

    • What are the most important values we want to guide our marriage?

    • How do we envision our life together in 5, 10, or 20 years?

    • What does success look like for us as a couple?

  6. Conflict Resolution

    • How do we currently handle disagreements? Is there anything we can improve?

    • What’s our plan for resolving major conflicts in the future?

  7. Family Dynamics

    • How involved do we want our families to be in our lives and future decisions?

    • Are there any specific boundaries we need to set with family members?

  8. Intimacy

    • What are our expectations regarding the frequency of intimacy in our relationship?
      (How often do we both feel comfortable and satisfied with spending time together in an intimate way?)

    • Are there any boundaries we should establish regarding physical intimacy?
      (What limits or guidelines would help us both feel respected and secure in our physical connection?)

    • What are we comfortable or uncomfortable with when it comes to intimacy?
      (Are there specific things that are important for you to express or avoid to ensure we both feel safe and respected in our relationship?)

    • What types of contraceptives are we both comfortable with and open to considering (birth control pills, natural methods, etc…) ?

Relationship Enrichment

  1. Love and Communication

    • How do we each prefer to give and receive love (e.g., love languages)?

    • What are our expectations for communication in marriage (e.g., frequency, honesty)?

  2. Hobbies and Interests

    • What activities do we enjoy together, and how will we make time for them?

    • Are there new hobbies or interests we’d like to explore as a couple?

  3. Traditions and Rituals

    • What traditions do we want to start as a married couple?

    • How will we celebrate milestones, holidays, and anniversaries?