How soon did everyone book their DW?

nycbride2011

I've been on this board for a while...got engaged back in may of this year; planning to get married October 2011.  We're having a DW-heading to Scottsdale Arizona with about 50 guests (well we're inviting about 65; figure at least 30-40 will come but are budgeting to have 50).How soon did everyone book their resorts?  We would like to go down and visit the resort and see everything but probably can't do that (financially) until the end of the year/beginning of next year. For all of you that booked your resorts without actually seeing them how far in advance did you book?? I just feel like it's so early; but at the same time i want to make sure i give all my guests enough time to save so they can come PLUS i want to make sure i lock in my resort and can start paying it off asap.    Just want to get an idea of how soon everyone booked their DW-It's probably best to book as early as possible-lock in '09 rates (if possible) and start paying it off sooner right?

smilz4milz

Congrats!  We looked into going to AZ too!  I love it there...would move there if I could get FI on board with that plan!!!I get married on 10/4/09 and we booked our trip in 2/08...we got a wonderful rate and making payments was key to us too.You might want to contact the resort and see if they have released your date for reservations yet.  That might answer your question for you too.GL!

AprilJT

I only booked about 6 months in advance.  But if you can afford to book early, and if the resort will let you, I say go for it. 

Future.Mrs.H.

I booked like a year and a half in advance.

nycbride2011

thanks ladies!! My resort allows me to book today if i wanted to for October 2011 even though i'm a full 24 months out! I really haven't started saving any money towards the wedding yet...guess what i'll do is start saving with the next paycheck and once i save up double the deposit amount I'll go ahead and just book it.  I'm (plaining on) getting married at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess-i just can't wait-24 months seems SO far from now!  We're going on a cruise in November-i'm hoping to get some great shots together on the cruise that we can use as our STD's!!

CNN in 2010

Congrats on your engagment!! We're going on a cruise which is different from booking a resort but we booked like 16 months in advance because we wanted to send out our save the dates 15 months in advance so people know what we're planning on doing and can start planning their trip if they want to attend.  The way I see it the sooner the better.

salt78

Almost exactly 1 year out.

suannoch

We're not actually using a resort, so I don't know if it will help, but we put down a small deposit to lock in our date & time a year in advance then went to visit about 7 months before our date.  I felt the deposit was so small that I didn't mind losing it if the place was not as good in person as it was on paper/website.

HappyMel

Congrats!  I just booked last week, and it was almost exactly 8 months out.  Where in AZ are you looking? I lived there for 2 years and LOVED it! Plus, with all the dry air, there's no chance of a a bad hair day on your wedding!

Orchid2011

I haven't booked mines and I got another 18 months to go. My TA said we can book it after the holidays which will be a little over a year but the prices should already be out or I might get lucky and get a good deal!

captainleela

We're not at a resort, but we booked our main vendors about a year in advance.

nubiannqween

I think I booked mines at 11 months out.