Just got engaged. Need to figure out how soon I need to start planning the wedding and where to start?
My boyfriend and I just got engaged and have decided to get married early Summer 2009. Even though it’s still a couple of years away, I would like to start estimating the cost of the wedding, and checking out locations. How long should I wait before I start planning the wedding? My parents had a very small simple wedding, and I want a small, but nice wedding w/ our closest relatives and friends, which will end up being around 100-125 people.
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You may have some difficulty finding vendors ready to book for 2009 at this time. One reason is that their prices will assuredly be higher in 2009 than they are now and they may not be willing to give up that increased income. Many venues refuse to book weddings more than a year out because they’d much rather book the more lucrative corporate events. However, there is no reason why you can’t research which vendors/venues you want. You can even talk to those you select about booking them and see what they say. You may be able to get pricing from them, now, even though they won’t book yet, so at least you can estimate what everything will cost. Then add 15 percent to the figures to get a more realistic idea of 2009 fees. You have the enviable position of plenty of time to research what services you want and what venues would work best for you. Make your list of chosen vendors and then book them as soon as they’ll let you. Don’t order your dress, however, until 8-12 months from your date. Styles change and your tastes may, too.
Some places require you to book a wedding with a deposit a year and sometimes more before it takes place. You have to figure out where you want to get married…you can book your church well in advance…as for the reception…it is good to start looking to where you want to have it…for your 100-125 guests……I wouldn’t be jumping on all of this right this second…….Enjoy your engagement period*~, but don’t leave it too long~ Best WIsheS*
Sounds like you’re already planning! Usually it a year before you get married that you start planning, but it’s good to start saving now that way you have plenty of cash for unexpected expenses.
That’s not really a small wedding from where I come from, but that’s just my preference.
We got engaged in April, and planned the wedding for the summer of the following year. We tossed ideas back and forth between the families, but didn’t get anything nailed down until Jan of the wedding year. We were pushing time to shore up all the details. Cake, the aisle runner for the ceremony, table arrangements, etc. We had a 75 person reception, but we planned for around 105. It came out great.
Just do yourself a favor: Don’t stress too much. The most important thing to plan is the BRIDAL GOWN! That’s what will get photographed the most, and it will remind you of how beautiful you looked. BY THE WAY!!!! Do not skimp on the photographer. You want GOOD pictures of your day.
Start now if you want. You could alway pick out the place now, so it won’t be a question later. And start looking for a wedding dress and the colors you want in your wedding. Be careful on getting your dress fitted to early, because you never know what size you may be.
the first thing i did was sign up on http://www.theknot.com it gives you a time line to follow so you don’t get behind. it doesn’t hurt to start planning a head of time. the thing that has taken me the most time and aggravation has been getting addresses for the invitations. i went to http://www.411.com to get them without have to call everyone on my guest list.
Well, I planned my wedding in 3 weeks. It was amazing, everything was exactly how I wanted it. I know people are going to tell you to plan ahead, but I think that if you plan too far ahead, things are going to be forgotten and reservations lost and all that kind of stuff. If you are inviting out of town guests, I would give them at least a year to be able to make plans for travelling. But as for actual planning and booking if your having professional photographers and things like that, 9-12 months in advance should be more than sufficient. Although, if you’re going to get into all that limo,photographer,caterer stuff you should seriously consider working with a wedding planner. Let them deal with the stress so your wedding day will be perfect. Best of luck to you.
Start now - - why not! Then you can be excited for like 2years!!
Start getting things and paying things off or putting money away now, by the time your big day comes along you’ll be completely ready with no money worries hanging over your head - which is a big problem for newly weds. You’ll also have plenty of time to figure out what you REALLY want on your big day.
By the way - Congratulations!!
Hope your day is something special.
Good Luck.
You can start scouting out locations now. In many areas, places require a booking a year or more in advance. Usually, they will only require a deposit and not the entire amount upfront.
Since you have a lot of time, start collecting books and magazines on weddings. Your single best investment in wedding literature will be a book called Bridal Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields (it can be found on Amazon or any major bookstore chain). This book is full of valuable wedding advice that will tell you how to save money on weddings without having a wedding that looks cheap.
Attend bridal shows in your area to get ideas, and start poking around online. Theknot.com is an excellent place to start. They galleries featuring real weddings, wedding cakes, flowers, and plenty of other stuff. If you register they have a very helpful budgeting feature that’ll help you get a better idea of how much this wedding will cost and what’s important to you (as in, where you want to spend money or cut costs.)
Just start putting your toe in the water now and see what’s out there. You’ll be surprised how quickly and easily it goes from there.
By starting early, you can definitely save money. On the other hand, you can also burn out/drive your friends, relatives and STB-husband crazy. Even presidential campaigns have a limit.
I’d chat with someone in the know to see how competitive your area is for bookings. Some places you need to start 2 years ahead; others are a lot more easygoing. If there’s a venue you MUST have, consider booking it soon (or at least call up and see how fast they’re booking).
Best idea is to take some of the great books mentioned here, start getting your feet wet, use the extra time to grab some competitive spots, and then relax for a while. Unless you truly love wedding planning. Many people pull the whole thing off in less than six months.
you are going to need at the very least a year.
congrats on your engagement hon,go with the small but nice wedding w/both of your relatives and friends.the cost of weddings can cost alot or they can cost very little, it all depends on what you can afford, you can consult with your parents about it as well afterall your dad and mom will be the ones who will be giving you away.you won’t have to start planning until next year hon.my husband & i are going to renew our vows next year,so this year we will start planning for it.my family wasn’t invited the first time because of my husband’s stepmother,so we aren’t inviting hid dad or her this time around.
Find a location now. I got engaged last sept and want to get married next summer 2007. Every place I called was almost booked up. Some people book years in advance. it takes a long time to go see the places in person and decide which you like best. First step is to find the reception site or book it with the church first if you are planning a church wedding. The church date that is available will be your wedding reception date.
The best places book first so you want to be first in line!
Well you should book your reception location a.s.a.p. and you will probably get a better price this way! Also your ceremony location should be looked into right away. The rest can wait a little.
http://www.theknot.com is an excellent planning tool and I love their planning guide as well!
Figure out where you’d like to have it. Some places you should reserve it as soon as you can (for example, an Outer Banks Wedding, as they fill up fast!).
Start saving NOW. Fiance and I are putting a little extra into our savings account and putting all of our income tax refunds into the payment of the reception/ceremony costs.
Congrats!
You would start planning a year ahead of the wedding. Hope you don’t mind if I ask, but why the heck wait so long? I sure wouldn’t! Move that date closer if at all possible!!!
Hey, my fiancé and I are also looking at summer of 2009. Usually it is suggested to start planning about a year in advance, but it all depends on venues and such…some places book up super fast, and require an advanced deposite and booking. So, I would suggest maybe discussing with your fiancé where you want the wedding and do a bit of investigating into the popularity of the venue and the deposit requirements then go from there. If you need a planning outline, go to http://www.wedalert.com/content/planning/calendar.asp and it has a calendar broken down for a year of when you should do what tasks.
Good luck and congrats!