Newly engaged? 5 things to start doing if you want a personal wedding

If you’re newly engaged, you might already feel the quiet hum of expectation.

Questions start appearing. Timelines. Opinions. A sense that you should be doing something already.

But the most personal weddings rarely begin with decisions.

They begin with noticing.

Here are five gentle things you can start doing now if you want to plan a personal wedding that feels grounded, intentional and truly your own.

If you’re drawn to thoughtful, meaningful details, this is exactly how I approach my work at The Lucky Sixpence. I design wedding jewellery and accessories slowly and intentionally, for people who want their wedding to feel personal rather than performative.

1. Start noticing what you’re drawn to

Before you book anything or choose an aesthetic, start paying attention to what naturally catches your eye.

Not what’s trending.Not what you think a wedding should look like.

Notice the details you keep returning to. Certain colours. Old objects. Soft textures. Quiet spaces. Things that feel collected rather than styled.

These preferences often come from somewhere deeper than inspiration boards. They tell you about your taste and the atmosphere you feel most at home in.

Your wedding doesn’t need to be designed all at once. It just needs to be noticed first.

2. Think about how you want it to feel

It’s easy to focus on how a wedding will look. It’s much harder, and far more meaningful, to think about how you want it to feel.

Take some time to sit with the emotional tone you want to hold on the day. Calm. Grounded. Joyful. Unrushed. Intimate.?

There’s no right answer. What matters is choosing feelings that feel honest to you, rather than impressive to others.

When you lead with feeling, your decisions often become simpler. You stop adding for the sake of it and start choosing with care.

3. Consider sentimental pieces with story

Personal weddings often include pieces with history, meaning or intention behind them.

That might mean vintage details, reworked family jewellery, or accessories made slowly by hand. Things that carry time, care and quiet presence.

Story doesn’t have to mean sentimental in an obvious way. Sometimes it simply means choosing something considered over something convenient.

If you’re drawn to pieces with story, you might enjoy exploring my wedding jewellery and hair accessories. Many designs are made to order, one of a kind, or created using reworked sentimental materials.

You may also like reading about how to incorporate sentimental or vintage elements into wedding accessories, especially if you’re drawn to meaning as much as beauty.

4. Choose fewer things, but choose them well

One of the most freeing realisations in wedding planning is that personal doesn’t mean more.

It often means less.

Fewer choices. Fewer objects. More space.

When you allow yourself to choose fewer things, each decision can carry more weight. You can sit with it. Ask whether it belongs. Let it earn its place.

A wedding shaped this way often feels calmer and more reflective of the people at its centre.

If this resonates, you might also find comfort in reading about planning a wedding while honouring loved ones. These quieter considerations often shape a day more than décor ever could.

5. Let go of the idea that there’s a formula

There is no correct order. No checklist that guarantees meaning. No formula that creates a memorable day.

Some of the most beautiful weddings step gently outside expectation. They borrow what feels right and leave the rest behind.

You don’t need to have everything figured out now. You don’t even need to know what kind of wedding you’re having yet.

If you start with noticing, feeling and choosing with intention, the rest can unfold in its own time.

Where to go next

If you’re newly engaged, wedding jewellery and accessories probably aren’t top of your list yet. That’s completely normal.

If you’d like gentle inspiration as your ideas take shape, you’re very welcome to stay in touch.

I share thoughtful imagery, slow-made details and reflections on planning a personal wedding through my newsletter and on Instagram and Pinterest. It’s a quiet place to gather ideas, notice what you’re drawn to, and let your vision unfold in its own time.

When you’re ready, my collections and bespoke work will be there. Until then, you’re welcome to simply look, save and take what feels useful.

You don’t need to decide everything now. Sometimes staying inspired is enough.

You can sign up to my newsletter here

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Find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest

Be inspired...

All the images in this blog have been captured by the incredible Teri V Photography. You can see more of this French elopement below:

Planning, Coordination & Design: Significant others Weddings

Wedding Venue: Château de St Germain des Prés

Wedding Photographer: Teri V Photography

Wedding Decor & Furniture Rental: Groupe Event

Wedding Florist: Les Fleurs d'Ans

Hair: Allison Flory

Makeup: Stephanie Manganelli

Gowns: Fross Wedding Collections & Emma Tindley

Hair Accessories and Jewellery: Me, The Lucky Sixpence

Wedding Stationary: White Orchid Print & Design

Tuxedo: Un Jour Un Costume

Frequently asked questions about planning a personal wedding

What does it mean to plan a personal wedding?

Planning a personal wedding means shaping a day that reflects who you are, rather than following a set formula. It focuses on intention, feeling and meaning, instead of tradition for tradition’s sake. A personal wedding often includes thoughtful choices, sentimental details and space to celebrate in a way that feels honest to you.

Where should I start when planning a personal wedding day?

At the start of your wedding planning journey, it helps to focus less on decisions and more on noticing. Pay attention to what you’re drawn to, how you want your wedding to feel, and what matters most to you as a couple. This gentle approach often makes later planning feel calmer and more aligned.

Is a personal wedding the same as an intimate wedding?

Not always. An intimate wedding usually refers to guest numbers, while a personal wedding is about intention. Some personal weddings are small and quiet, others include many guests. What they share is a sense of care, meaning and considered choices throughout the day.

How do I choose wedding suppliers for a personal wedding day?

When planning a personal wedding, choosing wedding suppliers who share your values can make a big difference. Look for people whose work feels thoughtful and aligned with your vision, and who are open to collaboration. The right suppliers will support your ideas rather than push you into a fixed way of doing things.

Does the wedding venue affect how personal the day feels?

Yes, often it does. Your wedding venue helps set the tone for your ceremony and celebration. A venue that feels calm, welcoming or meaningful to you can naturally support a more personal atmosphere. That said, a personal wedding can happen anywhere when the focus stays on intention rather than appearance alone.

How can I make my ceremony feel more personal?

A personal ceremony often comes from slowing down and choosing elements that feel true to you. This might include writing your own vows, incorporating sentimental objects, or creating space for quiet moments. Small, thoughtful choices often have more impact than adding lots of extra elements.

What if I feel overwhelmed during the wedding planning process?

Feeling overwhelmed is very common during wedding planning, especially at the beginning. Try to view your wedding planning journey as something that unfolds over time, rather than a list to complete quickly. It’s okay to pause, gather inspiration and return to decisions later when things feel clearer.

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