Your Ultimate Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning Hub
Wondering how to go about Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning? Whether you’re tying the knot in the shadow of Mount Rainier, along the foggy shores of the Sound, or under a canopy of evergreens, this blog is your go-to starting point for everything you need to plan your dream day. From timelines to engagement sessions, wedding mood boards to bubble exits, we’ve rounded up our best advice, ideas, and insider knowledge all in one place.
So grab a cup of something cozy, your favorite planning notebook (or open your wedding Pinterest board—no judgment), and let’s dive into our biggest, most comprehensive wedding planning guide ever.

Getting Started: Big Dreams, New Bling, and Lots of Questions
Engaged and wondering “What now?” Don’t worry—you’re in the right place. These blog posts are all about helping you get oriented in this whole Pacific Northwest wedding planning world. We’re talking wedding lingo, fast-track planning (hello, 90-day weddings), and how to keep your guest list from turning into a family reunion that requires name tags. You’ll find guidance on narrowing down your inspiration, figuring out your wedding mood (spoiler alert: it’s not just a Pinterest aesthetic), and how to give your small wedding a seriously big “WOW.”
Start here if you’re newly engaged and not sure what to tackle first:
- The Guide to Wedding Lingo for the Newly Engaged
- The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your PNW Wedding
- How to Plan a Wedding in 90 Days or Less
- Mastering your Guest List + Keeping your wedding intimate
- Finding Inspiration when Bridal Mags aren’t your thing
- Why you need a wedding mood board + how to create one
- What’s a Wedding Mood + How to create five popular moods
- How to add WOW factor to your intimate wedding
- Choosing the Perfect Wedding Date
- Research your Vendors | WA Business Licenses
- Wedding Planning Guide | 3 tips for Enthusiastic Attendants
- How To Hire The DJ of Your Dreams | Guest Post by Rhiannon Owen
Pro Tip: Don’t worry about doing all the things at once. Start with your guest list and mood board, then build from there. You’ve got this!
Photography: Capturing the Real You (and Every Unposed Moment)
Let’s be real—photography is a big deal. Your wedding photos are the one thing that sticks around long after the cake is eaten and the confetti is vacuumed out of your hair. This section dives into everything you need to know about choosing the right photographer, figuring out your budget, and making sure your photos look like you (but on the best day ever).
If you’re wondering how many hours of coverage you need or what the heck “true-to-life editing” means, these posts have your back:
- Navigating Your PNW Wedding Photographer Options
- The Ultimate Wedding Photography Package Checklist
- Our Photography Style | FAQs for your Wedding Photographer
- Low Photography Budget? Here’s what to look for:
We’re here for your grandma’s happy tears and the late-night dance floor chaos. Because your story deserves to be documented with intention—and a little bit of ninja stealth.

Engagement Sessions: Adventure, Romance, and a Whole Lot of Laughing
Not only are engagement sessions a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera (hi, awkward hands), they’re also a great excuse for an epic date night. Whether you’re dreaming of a wild hike in a PNW state park or just want a cozy vibe in downtown Tacoma, we’ve got planning tips and inspiration for every kind of couple.
Check these out to prep for your session:
- Adventure Engagement | Worthwhile Tips for Planning Yours
- Favorite State Parks for your Summer Engagement Session
- Reasons to have a PNW Engagement Session »
- Perfect Tacoma Engagement Planning Tips
- Your Tacoma Engagement Session Experience »
Bonus tip? Bring your dog. Always bring your dog.
Registries and Parties: All the Celebrations Before the Big One
Weddings aren’t just about the wedding day—they’re about celebrating along the way! From engagement parties to bridal showers and that sweet moment when your aunt gifts you an air fryer, this section is all about the fun stuff that comes with Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning. We’re also tackling the great registry debate: traditional gifts vs. honeymoon funds (spoiler alert—we say do what works for you).
Get ready to pop some bubbly:
- The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Wedding Parties
- Honeymoon Funds: A Great Wedding Debate
- Must Have Wedding Registry Items from My Kitchen
Pro tip: You don’t have to register for china. Unless you want to. In which case—go full Bridgerton, babe.
Timeline Planning: Your Secret Weapon to a Smooth Wedding Day
If you want to actually enjoy your wedding day (and not feel like you’re herding cats), a solid timeline is your best friend. We break it all down—from how much time you need for photos to when you should sneak off for a bite of cake. Whether you’re having a First Look or saving it for the aisle, we’ve got templates and tools for a timeline that works for you.
Start building your perfect day here:
- Planning Your Wedding Timeline »
- Traditional Wedding Timeline Samples »
- Create a Sample Wedding Timeline with First Look »
P.S. Don’t forget to schedule a moment to breathe (schedule one during your Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning too!). And maybe make out behind the barn for a sec. We won’t tell.

The Day Of: All the Details, Emotions, and Magic
You’ve made it to the big day—now let’s talk about everything from your bubble exit to tipping your vendors. This section is all about those emotional, in-between moments that often get overlooked in planning. Spoiler: your wedding isn’t just about the ceremony. It’s about your First Look, your quiet moment before the aisle, your dreamy golden hour portraits, and every last detail you’ve worked so hard to plan.
Don’t miss these posts:
- Tipping Vendors: The When + How
- Your Wedding Day Details
- Romantic Sunset Portraits | Why and How »
- Four Perfect First Look Ideas
- Choosing to have a First Look »
- Wedding Planning Guide | Digging Deeper into the First Look
- Incredible Wedding Day First Look | Wedding Planning Guide
- Finding the Perfect Wedding Cake Topper
- Staging your Dream Bubble Exit »
Trust us—those little moments? They’re the ones you’ll remember forever.
After the Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning is over: Life as Newlyweds
The wedding might be over, but the adventure is just beginning. From name-changing logistics to navigating that first married spat, this section is for all the post-wedding realness. We’re also sharing ways to keep the love strong, even when you’re knee-deep in laundry and “What’s for dinner?” becomes your daily love language.
Make post-wedding life a little smoother:
- Six Quick Steps to Change Your Last Name after Marriage
- Vendor Grievances: What do you do?
- 13 Things to Make Married Life Easier (newlyweds or not!)
- First Fight Planning | Tips for Newlyweds
- The Honeymoon Handbook | MJCouples Book Club
We’re rooting for you. Marriage is messy and magical and totally worth it.

See Our Work: Real Weddings, Real Love
Want to see how all these Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning tips come together IRL? Our full gallery site has wedding stories from all across the Pacific Northwest—packed with candid laughs, happy tears, and all those fleeting little glances you’ll want to remember forever.
Markie Jones Photography LLC – Full Galleries
From elopements to big celebrations, we’re honored to tell love stories in a way that feels authentic, emotional, and you.
Let’s Make Magic Together
If you’ve made it this far—hi, we love you. And we’d love to help make your wedding vision come to life. Whether you’re ready to book or just need a bit more Pacific Northwest Wedding Planning guidance, we’re here to chat, answer questions, and cheer you on every step of the way.
Schedule your free consultation here: Contact Us
Let’s create something unforgettable, together.