When to start planning the wedding?
I just got engaged a couple weeks ago. We have decided to wait two years to get married for various reasons. When should we start planning the wedding? I am sure there is nothing to do now because we are going to wait so long. I would just like to know when we should start doing everything. We are starting to look at venues now because we want to get married on new years eve. Anything else I need to start? Thanks!
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The sooner the better.
Wedding venues, caterers, etc. get booked really fast!
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I have a year and a half until my wedding but I started planning everything as soon as he asked =D Lol. Secretly though, I was planning my wedding while we were dating.
Call around and get prices. Lots of places will give you discounts for booking this far out. If a vendor won’t book because it’s too far out, keep them in mind and call them (or find someone else) when it is a little sooner.
I’d say book things that won’t change–photography, videography, venue, etc etc. I’d wait on things like cake, dresses, decorations, colors, flowers, because your opinion will likely change between now and New Year’s 2012. Also, unless you are certain with your bridal party, don’t appoint them just yet because it is hard for people to gauge their financial situation this far out, and also you may end up being not as close with someone or you may find a new great friend before your wedding.
You don’t need to start planning until 1 year ahead of time. You’ll change your mind a million times in that amount of time. Maybe set a date & book your venue, but that’s all you should do now. There’s no point hiring a baker, photographer, caterer, etc. because they most likely won’t plan that far in advance, and with this economy… what if you pay a deposit now and then they go out of business in a few months? And as for your dress, you don’t know how much you’ll weigh in 2 years or whether your tastes will change as fashions do. Prices will change, budgets will change; friends & family come & go…
I was engaged for a year and three months. It would have been longer, but the long engagement was becoming straining. We pulled together a beautiful wedding in 5 months when we decided to get married much sooner than expected. The only hard part was finding a venue.
Two years may seem like a lot, but it will go by faster than you think. You should start planning some things now, because you may be able to get a discount for planning so far in advance. Also, reception areas get booked really quickly so you want to try to find one ASAP so you don’t have to worry down the line. Get your guest lists ready, so that you know what you’re looking at for sizes of venues as well as consider the type of catering you can afford. If you’ve got a large guest list and a small budget, you’ll need to cut it down a bit, or scrimp on other things. If your budget is big enough to accommodate a large amount of people, then don’t worry so much. But you’ll want to figure out your guest list soon so you can send out save the date memos and invitations. Trust me, two years is not that long, though it may seem so right now. Before you know it, you’ll blink and you’re walking down the aisle! Best of luck!
You can start planning *some* things now, but wait a while for the other things.
Things you can plan now:
* get your engagement ring insured!
* get an idea of your overall budget and a rough guest list – this will determine where you can hold the wedding (you need to book venues that can comfortably seat everyone), how formal/casual it’ll be (more formal = more $$$), etc.
The amount of money you want to spend can also affect the date … keep in mind that New Year’s Eve can be quite expensive. Also, you don’t have a date until the ceremony and reception sites are booked, contracts signed and deposits made, so don’t assume that 12/31 is your absolute date just yet. My date changed several times before we had it locked in.
* ceremony site, especially if you plan to have a religious wedding. Talk to your priest or rabbi and see what kind of pre-marital counseling and preparation is required by your faith.
* reception site
* photographer
* DJ or band
Things to wait on:
8-10 months prior to your wedding:
* you can start looking around for a dress
* pick your wedding party members. Do NOT ask them now!!! There is zero need to ask them now, especially since you don’t have anything booked yet and your plans may change. You can give people wedding burnout if you ask too far in advance. And once you ask, you really can’t un-ask, so it’s better to wait because relationships can change, especially once you get engaged. You also don’t need even sides (so it’s OK if you have 3 people and your fiance(e) has 5), and you can have mixed genders if you want (maybe you want your brother on your side).
* block hotel rooms for your guests near your venue (this will be free)
* decide on color scheme if you want one
* book limo
* send out Save The Date cards (optional) – remember that people who get a card MUST also get a wedding invitation, so if your guest list isn’t finalized yet, either skip them entirely or only send them to people who will be invited no matter what
* ceremony officiant, if not marrying in a house of worship
6-8 months out:
* book florist
* book ceremony musicians
* register for gifts
* look for invitations
* shop for bridesmaids’ dresses
* book honeymoon (book it in your maiden name, since your passport and license won’t be changed yet – assuming you’re going right after your wedding)
* shop for wedding rings
3-6 months out:
* book hair and makeup trials
* ask people to do readings, be ushers, sing
* arrange for rehearsal dinner
1-2 months out:
* gown fittings, finalize veil and accessories
* apply for marriage license (call county clerk for information)
* tuxedos/suits
* send out invitations
Straight away!
If you want a popular venue/band/photographer etc at a popular time of year (June), they may be booked out already.
Plus you have to find a date when everyone involved will be available.
Plus you have to start saving because it’s all expensive.
Don’t leave it all to the last minute!
I think you should start deciding who you want to be in your wedding and ask them in a nice way. Like taking them to a nice lunch and giving them a card asking them to be in your wedding.
I think you should also start getting ideas of colors. Start looking for your dress too! Its never too early for that!