When to start planning?

knels11 · August 2009

My fiance and I have been engaged for a little over a month. We are planning a June 2011 wedding, so I can get my degree done. I really want to get things started...I know I can't do to much right now as it's 2 years away still, but what are some suggestions as to what I can get started on?

J&K10910 · August 2009

Budget, a preliminary guestlist, start thinking about what kind of wedding you want (big and formal, small and casual, outside, inside, etc). Just don't ask your bridal party yet!

temerityjane · August 2009

You can start getting an idea of colors and style and overall "feel" at any point, really, keeping in mind that with the wedding that far away, you'll probably change your mind a lot. As for when to start actual planning... when are you ready to start spending money?

lauralaur · August 2009

Think about a budget and how much you would need to save between now and then and put a savings plan in place. Start getting a feel for where you would like to get married (as in, town or state or destination wedding) and for how early vendors in that area book up. I would just start collecting ideas at this point. You'll probably change your mind a zillion (yes, a zillion) times between now and a year from now so I wouldn't book much, but you could start getting an idea.

brookelynpaisley · August 2009

I think most girls here will tell you - man from experience - not to do anything just yet. You'll likely change your mind about many things in the next two years. Definitely don't ask our bridal party - who knows what may happen with some of those friendships in two years. You could look at venues, and get inspiration for ideas, but I wouldn't actually book anything.

Leah&Christian09 · August 2009

Figure out your budget. That's the hardest part. Once you have that and a general guest list, you can start thinking about venues. You don't need to book it for a while, but that was our hardest part.

January Bride · August 2009

I would start researching vendors as soon as you have a chance. Like pp said, you may change your mind, but if you already know what you want for your wedding, you can pretty much guarantee that you will get the date you want at the venue you want and will have 1st choice of all your vendors. Especially considering you have a June wedding, it might help to get a jump start on this.Once you're ready to book a vendor, you will have already done your research and you'll know who you want. Also, some vendors may allow you to lock in 2009 pricing if you book before the end of the year. I wish I had done this with more of my vendors, because I could have saved a ton of money.GL!

gottahavashorti · August 2009

Just look at ideas. We started looking at venues a year in advance, but took our time and didn't book for another 6 months. That was only because we knew by then what we liked within our budget and our date was during prime wedding season and not too flexible since we were working around 6+ school schedules.

mocha beans · August 2009

Definately put together a budget and a guest list. Include anyone you are fairly sure you're going to invite. Do your research on how much vendors cost, and see how that fits in with your budget and guest list. If you can't afford your whole guest list, either up the budget (if possible without going into debt) or cut the guest list. I should say, don't tell anyone they are for sure invited or not; if you have to cut them, that will be an uncomfortable situation.See how far things book out in your area, and if it's in the 2 year range, then you may want to look at booking a venue. Our local wedding venue booked out 2 years; unfortunately, our plans changed, so be careful about booking that far out. If you're fairly certain nothing is going to change, found the venue you want, and the deposit isn't more than you're willing to lose if plans change, then book it.Gather ideas for what you want to do, the feel you want, decide how much DIY you want to take on.

JuliaGoolia719 · August 2009

start saving and figuring out your budget, get a prelim # for the guest list so you can start scouting venues and make sure that they will fit the # of ppl you want to invite

rugbybride2 · August 2009

I def agree with the PP's. But definitely start looking for your venue. I got engaged in February and I couldn't get any summer weekend at my venue of choice until 2011, hence my wedding date. So that would be the first thing I would look for,

xnikki118x · August 2009

I agree with everyone who says don't pick your bridal party yet. There are always posts on here from brides who picked early and then had problems with their bridesmaids later on as the wedding got closer.

knels11 · August 2009

Thanks ladies for all the advice. I haven't told anyone yet as we are still trying to decide anyway..I was going to try and tell them once I figured it out but I am glad I asked....it makes sense to wait. My next question is....how do you really figure out your budget? Did you all just kind of estimate and go from there?

When to start planning?

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