Planning Frenzy? The Wedding Is Still 19 Months Away!!

[Deleted User]

So I'm a bit of an organizer, I like to have things done and it drives me up the wall when they're not.

A couple of questions - so we're thinking of booking Archeo for our wedding of about 80 guests.  The earliest they book for our date is in March.  I've been researching photographers and other vendors but doesn't it make sense to have the venue be the first place you book??  I don't want to miss out on getting our date with the photographer because I had to wait for Archeo.

Also - any tips for determining guest lists?  I have a huge extended family, not all of whom I feel close enough to to invite; but my parents are also divorced and I'm anticipating a "you invited your cousins on your dads side but not mine..." 

We're paying for the wedding ourselved with no help from parents, so that makes two things a factor 1) we should get to invite whomever we want. 2) That list needs to be smaller to meet our budget.

Any local vendor recommendations (especially for invites) is appreciated also.

Thanks!
Bex

Littlin

You sound like me in terms of organization, but you definitely have time.  Wait to set a date and book your venue before doing the other stuff, because the venue may  have some preferred or recommended vendors for you to use, and in the meantime, research vendors and work on your guest list.  

I would start with your wedding party and immediate family on both sides and see that number.  You won't be able to please all the family, but perhaps then move to extended, probably choosing aunts & uncles versus all the cousins.  Also don't forget to think about close friends (ones you speak to and see regularly).

After that number, then you can play a bit with extra family members, but I wouldn't be surprised if all the people from above add up to 80 or close to already!

Are you right downtown or just outside the city when looking at vendors?

Meaghann17

I've been working with stephita in markham for the invitations and they have been wonderful. we just picked up our save the dates (our wedding is in 9 months also). they are very accomodating with meeting times- i went in one night at 8pm.
their website gave me a good image of their work but in person they blew me away.

[Deleted User]

We're looking downtown for vendors, though we live in Guelph so some things here as well. 

Our list is currently at around 90.  Including aunts, uncles and cousins (ones we're close to - my father has a large family and if I invite one I have to invite all) and close friends. What's this about the average RSVP yes being 80% though?  *lol*

Thanks,
Bex

Littlin

80% is a bit high, but that may be true for smaller weddings since you are only inviting the closest people to you.  We invited 205, and had 148 attending.  Your "YES" response number is also dependent on how many OOT guests you have, and how many people you invite that you aren't close to.  Make sure you can afford every guest you are inviting, because you never know!