Booked a place

lstirn327

We have picked a date July 21, 2012 and we are doing everything at the Darby House.
What would be the next thing you ladies would start booking?

TheBeckmeister

Honestly, nothing.  You've got well over a year and unless there is some vendor you REALLY want, it might be nice to just relax for a bit.  You can browse for bands, DJs, photographers, flowers, etc, but I wouldn't be in any rush to book something right away.  

FYI, there's also a checklist on The Knot (look in the top right corner) that might help you figure out when the "right" time is to book certain vendors.

Congrats on setting a date!

caseyjolovesmark

as long as you have your budget figured out i would say relax and have fun with some idea time, go to bridal shows all around they are a blast and you find unique people and ideas you may have never thought of. i would reccomend to make sure to go to the franklin park conservatory bridal show next jan. it was AWSOME!!!! super fun night out for the bridal party! i would go for the photographer next as the big tickett item. july is a popular month so if you find that you want someone in particulare you might as well book them as soon as you can pay then you dont have to worry about it. also i dont know if your doing any home spun items but that kindda my style and i found it a little less stressful to chip away at projects over time rather than make a huge craft tacular weekend full of stress. good luck!!!!!!

[Deleted User]

Yay! That is a beautiful place. I wish we could of afforded it.

EmDizzle

Congrats!!  It's going to be gorgeous!

Like PP's have said, you can really start to take your time now that you've got the big one set. 
I would probably spend some time now scoping out photographers.  You have a popular month, but there are soo many great photographers in Columbus, you almost never hear of someone not being able to 'the one' for them.  I would take this time scoping out blogs and finding one that suites your style best, but that probably should be next on your list to book in the coming months. 

tobefletcher1

I might suggest looking at booking some of the unique services where there seem to be a few names that rule (i.e. make-up / Hair / alterations).  I tried to secure some of the more desired folks in these categories about 9 months out and found they were booked. 
Other than that...relax and enjoy.

MissOwl

ditto emdizzle. the only other vendors that book up superquick in columbus are photographers. however, i def agree that you should scope them out at bridal shows and interview several before you commit. in my opinion, the photog(s) is/are the most important vendor choice because he/she/they are with you all day.

jnkreager

We booked our venue about a year and a half in advance too, but I decided not to wait for vendors I really wanted.  As a result, we booked our cake, caterer, and photographer within a few weeks of booking our venue.  I figure why wait if you have some vendors in mind!

a-ingram

I personally would not wait...we have almost a 2 year engagement (4 more months to go!) and I got as much done as possible early so that I wouldn't be stressing that the vendors I wanted would be taken for my date.  It would be terrible if you fell in love with a vendor to find out that they already booked for your date.  Start with interviewing photographers, there are so many out there to choose from and you have to sort through a lot of them to find just the right one!