Newly Engaged? The First 3 Wedding Vendors to Book

Planning
Written By Alyssa Leicht

I love this time of year! I always get my first whispers of engagement season in the fall, when the leaves start changing and everything feels a little more romantic. As the weather cools and the holidays arrive, I hear from even more couples, and it makes me so excited to look ahead at the amazing weddings to come. If you just got engaged, congratulations! One of the first questions that comes up is: Where do we start?

The truth is, your first steps in planning will shape the rest of your wedding experience. Here’s where I recommend beginning:

1. Your Planner

A planner is the person who helps turn ideas into an actual celebration. They can even guide you toward venues that align with your vision. Beyond logistics, a planner allows you to enjoy the process, focusing on the parts of planning that feel joyful and creative while they handle the rest.

Here are some planners I love working with ⇊

Wedding & Elopement Vendor Guide | Alyssa Leicht Photography
Riviera Creative ✦

Riviera Creative is a detail-forward design house based in Colorado and working worldwide. I’ve photographed their work several times, and Keely is an excellent planner with a true gift for curating artful, intentional events. Riviera handles everything from full-service planning to elopement design, always creating celebrations that feel one-of-a-kind.

Wildflower ✦

Maya and her team are my top recommendation in Des Moines. They handle everything from consultation to full coordination, and their florals are the best I’ve seen in Iowa — from a single bouquet to full design and large-scale installations. You can book them for planning, florals, or both, and every wedding I’ve worked with them has been seamless, beautiful, and stress-free for the couple.

Mae&Co Creative ✦

Mae&Co Creative is a world-class planning and design team led by Manda Worthington. They specialize in immersive, multi-day wedding experiences around the globe, creating events where no detail is spared. I haven’t worked with them yet, but it would be a dream — their events are comprehensive, artful, and unforgettable.

2. Your Venue

The venue sets the tone for your entire wedding day. It’s the backdrop to your celebration and determines much of the flow, from timing to guest experience. An in-person walkthrough is always best, but if travel isn’t possible, ask about a video tour to get a real sense of the space.

Here are some of my favorite Iowa venues ⇊

3. Your Photographer

Once your date and venue are confirmed, the next step is booking your photographer, and choosing someone whose vision resonates with you is essential. Look through portfolios, read reviews, and schedule a consultation to see if the connection feels right.

I typically book 6–18 months in advance, with spring and fall (especially May and October) filling up fastest. My couples value artistic, documentary-style coverage with the option for cinematic portraits, and many love to include analog formats like 35mm, Polaroid, Handycam, or Super 8–style video. These imperfect mediums add a layer of artistry and nostalgia that digital alone can’t replicate.

If that sounds like your vision, I’d love to connect → Schedule a consultation with me here.

Alyssa Leicht alyssaleicht.com
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