WHERE DO I START!

melissadt90

We are just starting to plan and I am feeling very overwhelmed! What should I be doing with a year to go? We are going to look at a venue in a couple weeks when we visit our hometown. What other things should I start looking to book now? THANKS!

danimarie88

I would lock in your photographer right away! I got engaged January 21, 2012 and am getting married September 14, 2013...when I started calling photographers in Feburary, over 7 of them were already booked!

deburnin

First thing, figure out your budget. No use booking or looking at something that you won't be able to realistically afford.

bluebfalo

bleh... the knot I think ate my post... sorry if this is a double post.

1) budget (like pp said)

2) rough guest list (like number) as it may determine which venues... capcacity vs min numbers

3) vendors that tend to go fast in your area (no particular order): church, reception, hair/make up, photographer, videographer, DJ/band

If it's too overwhelming try to do one vendor at a time... before you know it they will all be booked!

Tkortier

Congrats!
I agree the first couple things you need to think about are:
- Budget
- Guest List
- Ceremony Site, Reception site (make sure the two aren't too far apart) Read reviews!
- Catering (If your venue isn't providing)
- Photographer/Videographer
- DJ
- Create a timeline for yourself.  I will lessen the stress level and help you stay organized.
- Officiant

zantster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_where-do-i-start?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:cf1a1d1a-f4b1-482f-ada3-096f7b6373a4Post:2fa6a208-3234-4286-868f-78a7ddf64de8">Re: WHERE DO I START!</a>:
[QUOTE]I would lock in your photographer right away! I got engaged January 21, 2012 and am getting married September 14, 2013...when I started calling photographers in Feburary, over 7 of them were already booked!
Posted by danimarie88[/QUOTE]
Like PPs said, definitely figure out a budget first.  It may get altered slightly as time goes on.  But do the best calculation you can.  The same might happen with your guest list in terms of it changing a bit.  But do the first two things lickety split.  Because I can not stress my agreement with what danimarie88 said enough.  I got engaged on May 17 and some of the best vendors were already booked. 

To put it in perspective,  I booked my photographer right away since I knew who I wanted.  It was a good thing I did because another couple was breathing down our necks to book the same date if we didn't put our deposit down.  Now our photographer actually has a wedding booked for 2015!!  So, if having the best vendors means a lot to you and it fits your budget then get started on that ASAP!  A few of the biggest vendors to get locked in are venues (ceremony and reception if not at the same place), photographer, videographer, dj, DOC and florist (mine only does one wedding per day). 

You will be much less stressed once the important building blocks are in place.  Use the this website and others like wedding channel and wedding wire for vendor reviews from  your area.  That will help you narrow down things quicker.  And I used the budet calculator and guest list template on here as well.  They are both awesome! 

melissadt90

Thanks everyone!

We have set a budget and have a rough idea of our guest list so I guess Im not too behind! We are checking out our venue in a couple weeks and I have already emailed about cake, decor and photography, just waiting to hear back. Oh and the florist is one of the GM's mother and she said she would give us a deal:P! I guess Im not as far as behind as I thought. Thanks ladies I feel less stressed!

drandreasalazar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2013-weddings_where-do-i-start?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:26a515ec-8009-4599-b81d-5edee3b3fb3cDiscussion:cf1a1d1a-f4b1-482f-ada3-096f7b6373a4Post:ec9b4d51-1f17-4791-8500-1acb5351eed7">WHERE DO I START!</a>:
[QUOTE]We are just starting to plan and I am feeling very overwhelmed! What should I be doing with a year to go? We are going to look at a venue in a couple weeks when we visit our hometown. What other things should I start looking to book now? THANKS!
Posted by melissadt90[/QUOTE]

next I would get your music entertainment for the reception