Buying stuff for wedding

Our date is October 2020 and I have most of the bridesmaids gifts, props for our entrance, my dress, venue paid, planner 1/2 paid, deposit on dj, rehearsal dinner space (also at our venue), my shoes, and some smaller stuff for hangover kits and kids boxes. I’m sure there is more stuff I’ve bought but I can’t remember it. I’m not buying things like lotions or something that might not be good after 17 months. I’ve got a master list of what we need/want and I’m just slowly checking that off. The hard part is to NOT buy little trinket stuff you don’t need but is so cute and what’s $12 over the span of 2 years? Lol! I almost bought this tiny little ring box at hobby lobby for the day of for $12 and I had to nearly slap my hand away. I’ve already bought a lot of stuff out of my own account instead of using our wedding fund (so we can track what we actually spent) so I know I’ve already gone over our allotted planned budget. I just have to keep myself from doing that anymore because I don’t want to end up with zero real life savings after the wedding because I picked up tons of trinkets over the course of buying for 2 years. Think of it as starting Christmas shopping really early and how quickly that can get out of hand. If you make a list and stick to it you should be fine to start now.

There are a few downsides to doing this. #1 Storing it!! We purchased wedding things here and there starting a year out, next thing we knew, we had to empty out a closet completely so wedding stuff could go in it (to prevent it from being damaged) and find other places for stuff we already had in that closet. #2 You are more likely to buy more and spend more if you do it over time. Spending $20 here and there on wedding decor doesn't seem like a lot at the time but next thing you know, you've spent hundreds more than you planned to on decor and you have vendor payments due. #3 your tastes/vision can change. I've seen SO many brides buy a bunch of decor early on and decide closer to that they don't want to use it, so they try to sell it but most of the time lose money.

My advice: I'd hold off a bit on buying wedding things, focus on vendors, once you have a better idea of how much the important things like the venue, food, photographer, etc will cost, come up with a STRICT budget for the extras and start browsing for good sales in a few months. Definitely utilize Black Friday!

Our entire engagement was 19 months long. I started purchasing little things here & there (when sales went on, etc.) and just kept a large tote in our guest room.

I've been engaged since July 2017 for Sept 2019 wedding and I started buying things right away as long as I knew I wanted the item 100%. So absolutely go ahead and buy things now if you definitely know what you want so that it wont be a waste of money down the road if you change your mind!

My wedding is September 2020, I have been buying things here and there since about last year! I think its good to start buying things like that!!

Not at all! Mine's in two years as well, and I have already purchased my veil and my bridesmaids' gifts/proposals. Oh, and some little "pre-marriage" t-shirts for myself☺❣. I saw them on Pinterest and just couldn't resist! As for decor, I think this venue we're looking at might provide some or have an area where we could rent... so, needless to say, I have been holding off on that. For now, I would just recommend getting small things... like, a customized card box if you're more of a DIY person, or your guestbook, wedding sign, possibly gifts for your future spouse and mother/fmil? Just concrete things that you know you'll need that aren't too expensive. Get the small things out of the way now before they become an issue later, if you get what I mean. Good luck, my dear☺❣.

Just be careful on what you buy as plans can change. For instance mine is a year and a half away and I have my mr and mrs sign for the sweetheart table, the cake topper, etc. Once all is finalized (venue, style, etc.) I think you're good to go since most wont change those big things

I definitely think it’s a good idea to start early, cause I was thinking the same! But what do you do if you buy something now and later down the month or next year, decide you don’t want it? Is the item refundable even though the months; with or without the receipt?

My wedding is October 2020 and I've bought a ton of stuff. I bought all my centerpiece decor from Hobby Lobby on Cyber Monday last year. Just made sure nothing you have will fade or go bad in the next 2 years and that you have a place to put it.

What I would suggest doing is find a savings account with the highest interest rate (they usually aren't the best unless it's a CD which you don't have time for, but hey, it's still a bit of extra savings). Set an amount you and FH want to put away for the wedding every month (whether it's $1 or $100, doesn't matter). If possible, o would see if that amount can be direct deposited into the account so you don't even think about it. If you find a really amazing sale (such as black Friday deal, etc) go for it, otherwise let the money sit in there and accrue interest. Even if you only get a few extra bucks by the end of it, it's still a few extra dollars you wouldn't have had. That and it will help ensure you hit your budget goal.

I have my flowers picked up and a down payment for them, I have the little gifts for guests already done, and I'm working on getting another gift for them as well, and my wedding will be in 2021

Start early! I started buying early and it saved me from being stressed out

As long as you have somewhere to store it and won't change your mind on what you want, I think that's a great idea!