Is Two Years Prior Too Soon To Book A Venue?

DomesticallyDisabled

Hi ladies! So, my FI and I just got engaged last month. Initially, we were planning a Fall 2011 wedding and began looking at venues in the Hudson Valley area. However, after doing some number crunching, we decided to push it back until October 2012. I'm going back to school to finish my degree and we're saving to buy a place...plus my heart is set on a Fall wedding. That being said, I'm still in talks with a few venues and nailing down quotes. My intention is to book a place by the end of this summer, since the venue dictates just about EVERYTHING else and they book up fast. But...is two years before the big day too SOON to book? Granted, I'll make sure to get the skinny on cancellation policies and etc, but it seems so many other Knotties book a venue only about a year in advance. Am I jumping the gun? What do you gals think?

Julz629

If you know that's the venue you want, there's no harm in booking it now.

bethsmiles

It depends on the venue. Some venues you might need to book that far in advance, but if you don't I would advise against it. You might want it now but that could change. I would wait until you are a year out from your wedding to book a venue.

katanne9

I would wait. 2 years is a long time to give you to change your mind. I would wait at least until you're almost to a year, or a year and a half if your venue books far out.

krmabojo

I just booked my venue and we have a bit les that 18 months until the wedding.

AmandalovesAl

If you love the place, book it.  You will know the date and won't have to stress about it, plus your payments will be more spread out and it won't be so stressful. I mean how long in advance were you planning on doing it? whats 18 months vs. 24?

futurepivko

I say book it.......my wedding is next april, and i got engaged in february, and a lot of places were booked 14months out. if anything you can cancel with plenty of notice

diamondx423

i say book it, many places book that far in advance plus you'll most likely get a lower rate.

janedoe1113a

I would book it, but make sure there's some sort of cancellation policy.  You don't want to lose your entire deposit if you change your mind a year out.

bbyckes

What if you change your mind?  We booked our venue 18 months out and plans changed.  I lost my $1500 deposit.  Not fun. 

Kmartella4

I would say wait in case you change your mind like other pps said, but I also think it depends on your venue. I am getting married March 19th, 2011, I got engaged December 2009, we went to go look at venues in January and the place where we were looking to get married the whole month of March was booked expect for the date we wanted! Luckily we booked it when we did, because if we would have waited a bit longer to go look, it  probably would have been taken- 15 months out!

I think it depends on how popular your venue is.. some places are booked years in advance.

If you are 100 percent sure, I say book it.

catemeg

IF you are 100% sure you want the venue, and IF the cancellation policy is okay, then it's not a bad idea.

Might not be any harm in waiting until December - it still would be 18+ months in advance, so you're not likely to have your date already gone.  Also, you can take that money for a deposit and stick it in a CD for 3 months - you'll magically have a few extra bucks (maybe even a couple of hundred, depending on your venue) to spend on other things and won't have lost anything!

Good financial planning this far in advance can really stretch your budget!

susieq87

I got engaged almost a month ago now, and we are getting married in March 2012. We are booking the venue for our reception tomorrow! In our case, it was the most affordable place and we loved it. I know we won't change our mind, so why wait and find out that your favorite place has already been booked. Go for it!

faithxmarie

I thought two years out was too soon to book vendors, but when I talked with them forming my budget, they nearly all offered to book right away.  Our reception site even suggested we book ASAP as the fill up as far out as a year and a half!

HobokensFury

I'm in the same boat as you.  I just got engaged (offically) last week and planning a March 2012 wedding.  I'm in the process of looking at venues.  I plan on visiting about 5 and booking by the end of summer.  I'm doing this so I can get the date I want and save some money. I was told if I book this year I will be locked into the 2010 price, which will rise in 2011 I'm sure.

DomesticallyDisabled

Thank you all so much for your input! I really appreciate it!