Are we behind?

tracey525

Reading through all these recent posts about addressing invites, rehearsal dinner details, etc., and I'm starting to freak out: are my fiance and I totally behind? I've been so incredibly swamped with work the past couple of months that wedding planning has taken a total backseat.

I wasn't nervous at all until I got on this message board and now I'm stressed about things we haven't done yet... transportation, invitations, nailed down the decor/centerpieces (though we do have a florist), not a single part of the ceremony is planned...

I've always been a type A planner, and thought for SURE I'd be bridezilla spending her entire engagement living and breathing wedding stuff. But I find that I just don't want to do that. The hype and the expenses are starting to bother me. In my mind we were married the day we got engaged, and made that commitment. Now we're just planning the ceremony and party to celebrate and make it official. And what matters is every day AFTER the wedding.

So that said, my unexpected low-key approach to wedding planning suddenly caught up to my usual Type A-ness. There is so much to do.

Does anyone else feel these mixed, panicky emotions? Thanks for letting me vent, too.

LDubHawksFan

No I'm feeling the same way you are.  All the other girls seem to be on top of invites right now and I haven't really started.  I mentioned this on another board earlier, but my big thing right now is even getting our ceremony start time figured out!!  First look or not is a big factor and my FI doesn't seem to understand that.  I've started doing centerpieces, but I don't have a florist yet.  Rehearsal dinner is my FMIL's deal. 
I think this is the intermediate time of planning when you can noodle with a lot of details or not, so I think you are fine!  As long as you have a lot of the big things like venue sorted out, that is what is important.  And if you are having floral centerpieces, then you don't have to worry about it.  Don't stress yourself out anymore right now, but just start with a list.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_october-2012-weddings_are-we-behind?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:56b9bcef-1e34-456e-81f5-cfaa107456b2Discussion:92919084-18aa-42af-b706-3f6f1779542fPost:dbcd496f-498b-463b-8ba6-6c12d5c4a77a">Are we behind?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wasn't nervous at all until I got on this message board and now I'm stressed about things we haven't done yet... transportation, invitations, nailed down the decor/centerpieces (though we do have a florist), not a single part of the ceremony is planned... [/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I don't think you're behind. We are DIYing invites and planning to put them together sometime during June and mail them out the beginning of July (we have a lot of OOT so I want to provide plenty of time for them to book rooms, make travel arrangements, etc.) I have everything for my decorations only because I was worried about waiting too late and not being able to find what I wanted. We don't have bubbles or our unity candle, don't have a cake stand, don't have a guest book. We don't even met with our pastor until August and start planning the ceremony with him at that time. We also haven't bought rings which a lot of ladies on this board posted about having done recently. I think you'll be fine! We are just taking it one step at a time and I'm not at all worried about having a ton to do at the last minute. Hope that helps!

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Jasperk23

You are fine! We have lots (and I mean LOTS) to do but really, five months is a long time. You'll get there at your own pace -- you have lots to think about so going a little slower gives you more time for ideas

mrshall1027

I think you will be totally fine.  I've been engaged for a year and actually started planning before we were engaged because I knew it was coming.  I also used to be an event planner so I had pretty solid ideas in place.  There are still times where I feel completely behind and even unmotivated to do anything for the wedding, so you aren't the only one with those thoughts and worries.  5 months is a good amount of time and you'll get the important things done.

CarolineandDean

I think the biggest things to take care of is vendors. October is such a popular month for weddings now, and the best vendors will book quickly. As long as you have your venues, dress (if your are special ordering), caterer, florist, photographer, and bakery nailed down, you can take care of all of the other details as you go. Don't stress! Make a list, and tackle one thing at a time. You'll feel better to see those items crossed off!

shoebie

I think as long as you have your venue,ceremony, and all vendors booked and set you are fine. Allthough I would get started ASAP on everything else. Every last detail should be done 1 week prior to your wedding, Not sure on your weekend but thats roughly 4 months from now so if you plan to do 1-2 things a week you should be good to go. 

tamrahelmer

I agree with the PP's. As long as the big vendors are booked I'm sure you are fine. I actually just mentioned in another post earlier today how it is funny how each of us are all working on different things. I actually just got my Tux rentals set today, but I know a lot of brides did that long ago and have had their GM all measured already. This was just something I didn't want to do. However, I do have my invites done, but that is because I DIY-ed them and started WAY early.

mpjf1001

Don't be intimidated by what others are posting, alot of us have been engaged for a while so we have a lot of the big stuff out of the way that now all we have left to do are DIY and things that while most would leave until the last minute, we are doing them now.
Just prioritize and you will be fine!

udream05

I started freaking out at the 5 month part myself! We still haven't ordered our invites, will probably do it after we talk with our coordinator in June, I just hope the ones we love will still be there!  I've been trying to get a move on with everything else, I have all the big stuff booked but trying to get the little stuff done because I feel like it'll be here before we know it..ahh!!  Anyways like PP said, try it get 1-2 things done a week, that's what I'm trying to do and you should be ok. 

tracey525

Thanks ladies! It helps hearing that others are at the same point as me. And also, I need to remind myself that two of my own BMs planned weddings in 5 months or less, with minimal help

I have plenty of lists, and scheduled out a way to do everything I possibly can by Oct 1 (even though the big day is 10/27), because I work at a university and fall is far and away our busiest time of year - I'm usually attending 2-3 events every week... Good thing the summer is almost here and my work schedule is MUCH lighter. I should have plenty of time then to think about these details!

AEPerpete

You have plenty of time for sure. Don't get stressed.
When you see others post about what they are doing, it's actually beneficial. I use it as motivation/ inspiration. Goodluck!