I said YES!… Now What!?
10 Essential Steps for Newly Engaged Couples to Take to Ensure Wedding Planning Success for Their Dream Colorado Mountain Wedding
Congratulations, you’re engaged! This is one of the most exciting times in your life, and it’s natural to feel a mix of joy, love, and maybe a tiny bit of being overwhelmed. Planning a wedding can seem daunting but breaking it into manageable steps will help you stay on track and enjoy the process.
Photo Credit: Epic Photography
First 10 steps to take after saying “yes”
1. Celebrate and Soak It All In
Before diving into planning, take time to savor the moment. Share the news with your loved ones, enjoy the congratulations, and maybe throw a small engagement party to celebrate your milestone. Get those engagement photos done to make sending out Save The Date’s later so easy!
Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben Photography
2. Establish a Vision
Talk with your partner about the kind of wedding you both want. Do you envision a grand ballroom event, a cozy backyard affair, a celebration outside in the mountains, or a destination wedding? This is also a great time to discuss potential themes, colors, and vibes you both like.
Implement this by making your lists separate from each other thinking about what your priorities are individually and why those elements are important. Then discuss together and compromise if needed until you are excited about your top priorities and your vision is becoming clear. It is super fun to build a mood board and include ideas from Pinterest or your favorite magazine… we love Rocky Mountain Bride, and Wedding Chicks that feature real weddings!
Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben
3. Set a Budget
Determine how much you’re willing (and able) to spend on your wedding. Consider who might contribute financially, whether it’s family or yourselves. Having a clear budget early will guide all your decisions. Having your priorities mapped out ahead of time helps to decide where your dollars will be used first.
Always begin with a reality check of what you have now, and how much you can save for your day each month after your bills are paid. Then if you know that family will want to contribute, start having those conversations. Need some help getting started? here are some great articles to guide you through building your budget:
How To Make A Wedding Budget For Beginners (2025)
Wedding Budgeting: A Building block to wedding planning — Wedding Planner
Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben
4. Create a Guest List
Think about the size of wedding you want. Something small and intimate; a destination with close friends and family; or a grand celebration with everyone you know and love? Draft a preliminary guest list to get an idea of the number of attendees. This will influence your choice of venue, catering, and overall budget.
◊Pro Tip◊ Start with immediate family and close friends. This is a great time to start contemplating your preference on wedding party. Then move on to friends and colleagues. Make sure to think about those potential plus ones!
Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben
5. Choose a Target Date (or Season)
While it doesn’t have to be an exact date right away, having a general time frame (spring, fall, summer, winter?) will help you book vendors and venues that align with your schedule. There are benefits and considerations for each season so check out some of the possibilities here:
Photo Credit: Caitlin Steuben
6. Research Venues
Start exploring venues that match your vision and budget. Venue availability may impact your chosen date, so it’s a good idea to be flexible at this stage. Your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding, so being flexible with your date will give you the best venue matches for you. This is also where you want to be conscious of time, venues book fast so go in armed with the right arsenal of questions!
Top 10 Questions to ask on Your Mountain Ranch Wedding Venue Tour
7. Hire a Wedding Planner/Manager/Coordinator (Optional but HIGHLY recommended)
If your budget allows (our professional opinion is that it 100% should), hiring a professional wedding planner will save you time and reduce any stress. And some venues may require them! Planners bring expertise, vendor connections, and experience to ensure your big day runs smoothly. You have come to this momentous occasion and want to spend it with the people you love most! Having a professional plan, coordinate and run your day ensures that you and your guests just get to be present and soak in every aspect of this perfect day! This is indeed the greatest gift you can give yourself. Its a great idea to see if these services are offered by your venue. And - venue coordinators are very different than planning (which we offer). So no pressure…. well maybe a little, but we promise it’s for your own good 😘
8. Build a Wedding Website
Create a wedding website to share key information with guests, such as your date, venue, registry, and accommodations. It's a modern and eco-friendly way to keep everyone informed. Your chosen planner and/or venue may have a platform ready and waiting for you to utilize!
9. Book Key Vendors
Focus on securing high-priority vendors early (remember that list you started with) such as photographers, videographers, transportation and caterers. These professionals tend to book up quickly, especially during popular wedding seasons and you do not want to miss out on the ones who fit your vision best.
10. Start Thinking About Your Wedding Party
Decide who you’d like to stand by your side on your big day. Whether it’s siblings, best friends, or close relatives, let them know early so they can save the date and help with planning. Don’t forget there are so many ways to incorporate those special people in your life!… and also to put them to work! Having and including people in your wedding planning who really know you inside and out can help you keep focused and support your vision for your wedding day!
Bonus Tip: Take It One Step at a Time
Planning a wedding is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritize what matters most to you and your partner, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember, this is a celebration of your love—enjoy the journey!
about la joya dulce
At la joya dulce, we are proud in being an independently owned and operated, local wedding venue. When you choose la joya dulce in Steamboat Springs, you're not just booking a venue—you're working directly with the owners, who are dedicated to making your day perfect. You are not just a transaction to us - you become a member of our ranch family. We’re committed to creating memories and intentional moments for you and your family. We believe in supporting our community, which is why we collaborate with other independently-owned venues and businesses.
We also believe in being the “real deal.” Our photos that are shared by our wonderful photographers are the real deal - there is no AI involved in their creation. Come take a look for yourself - the reality is often better than the photos!
We hope to use our platform to create awareness for the value of supporting locally owned wedding venues. You can help support amazing locally owned wedding venues across the country by writing a Google review, following their social media accounts and referring locally owned wedding venues whenever you have the opportunity. We sincerely appreciate your support and want to share a shout out to some of our wedding venue owner colleagues around the country. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
Rein Fire Ranch, The Inn at Harbor Shores, The Vineyard at St. Charles, Somos Family Weddings & Events and Amelia Grove