When should I start planning my August 2015 wedding?

todd8984 · July 2013

My fiance and I decided to wait two years to officially tie the knot. I am very anxious to start planning but I don't want to start planning too early! When would you suggest I start planning my wedding?

Ven&Radio · July 2013

You can probably start any time you're ready. Some people plan in just a few months - I've taken about 18 months to plan mine. I would strongly recommend starting by putting together a preliminary guest list and budget. These will play a big role in figuring out the rest. For example, you don't want to book a venue that holds 50 people and invite 100. Congratulations and good luck with your planning!

AddieCake · July 2013

Whenever you want. There's no right or wrong timeframe. Don't choose your wedding party yet, but there's no reason not to be looking at and booking vendors. Things like venues and photographers book up fast.

winelover123 · July 2013

Whenever you'd like. Definitely start looking at vendors. When you find some you like, book them.

manateehugger · July 2013

Agreed - start booking whenever. We started booking stuff 18 months out.

The only caution I will give you: prepare to remain happy with your decisions. Booking stuff is great, but don't do anything you might change your mind on later (including your dress!). Be prepared to stop looking once you book a venue, photographer, etc.

southernbelle0915 · July 2013

At this point, you could book a venue and some vendors (photographer, officiant/church) to make sure you get the date you want, but I'd wait on stuff like decor, DIY projects, selecting your bridal party, getting a dress, deciding on a menu, etc.

HisGirlFriday13 · July 2013

I second the idea of making a guest list and planning a budget. Those two things will determine what your venue can be and what you'll be able to spend on other things. Also, leave wiggle-room in the guest list. Things will change in two years; you'll lose touch with some people, you'll make new friends, other people will get married, etc. I recommend having a final number, but not telling anyone they're invited yet.

harper0813 · July 2013

I think a venue, photographer, and officiant would be fine to book early on - honestly, many venues start booking 2-3 years in advance.

ohmrs2014 · July 2013

We began planning at 22 months out and we booked the venue, photographer and DJ a few months after that. Things in NJ book up quick and our venue is no longer available for 2014, they are apparently all booked up for the weekends. We first set a budget and a preliminary guest list and made sure to def include anyone that we knew our parents would want there. Even though we are paying for it, I knew certain family members had to be invited, basically our VIPs.

Good luck and happy planning! And congrats!

cwaggoner07 · July 2013

If I were you, I would first set a rough guest list and budget. Then I would try to book the venues, photographer, and videographer (if you plan on one) as soon as possible. Those book up the fastest, but after that you can definitely cool your heels.

DEFINITELY don't ask your wedding party until 6-9 months out.

Peaseblossom55 · July 2013

I think it's fine to start planning now I began planning about a year in advance and found a lot of the venues I wanted to look at were already booked. I would create a guest list, buget, and you can begin to book venues, DJ/band, photographer. I wouldn't ask your bridal party yet. I would wait on a dress until about a year or so out, in case your style changes.

itzMS · July 2013

Some practical advice, given that your wedding is in two years. Don't be offended if you aren't a vendor's #1 priority. A girl on my local board felt like she was being dissed by her DJ...when her wedding is in late 2014 and she was trying to discuss playlists with him in June 2013 (obviously an incredibly busy wedding month!)

Maybe try reaching out to vendors starting after Labor Day when "wedding season" has calmed down?

manateehugger · July 2013

itzMS said:

Some practical advice, given that your wedding is in two years. Don't be offended if you aren't a vendor's #1 priority. A girl on my local board felt like she was being dissed by her DJ...when her wedding is in late 2014 and she was trying to discuss playlists with him in June 2013 (obviously an incredibly busy wedding month!)

Maybe try reaching out to vendors starting after Labor Day when "wedding season" has calmed down?

I agree with this too. We booked vendors 12-18 months out, but the only one I'm following up with details on is the caterer (mostly because what our menu looks like massively determines cost). But for now, I'm leaving everyone else alone. They're happy to take my deposits, but none really want to talk to me quite yet. Which is fine, because I halfway don't know what I want anyway.

silver0319 · July 2013

My engagement will be a little over 2 years; we got engaged Nov 2011 and will get married Mar 2014.

We started off by working on our budget and a guest list. Once we had that figured out, we knew what we could afford to spend on our venue. I started contacting venues last summer, we did venue visits in the fall, and signed our venue contract in January. Once we signed our venue contract, we booked our photographer and DJ. Since then, everything else has fallen into place. I have over 8 months to go, and really only need to do my dress fittings, hair and makeup trials, and our invitations.

Like PPs said, don't ask your bridal party right away. I didn't ask my BMs until about a month ago, and FI hasn't asked his GM yet.

Bubbles2014 · July 2013

Work out a budget and guest list now, and start looking at venues soon. You don't have the pressure of booking something right away, so look at a few and discuss your options. Other than that you can probably just look around and get ideas until the 18 month point.

lizandmark2014 · July 2013

Like others have said put together a budget and a tentative guest list. I would also find out what is important to the two of you as far as photography, flowers, food ect.

I would also focus on your style as a couple, ie casual, sophisticated, retro. Then do LOTS of research on venders.

When should I start planning my August 2015 wedding?

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