fh downplaying importance of finding venue/planning in general

That was my husband the entire time ahah. He just kept thinking we had time for everything and it's like ... But you have to RESEARCH and sometimes it's better doing it in advance so that you're not scrambling to do it later with everything else going on and needed to be done.

Starting to research sooner, rather than later, helps you prepare a budget and logistical details. This is especially true in high tourism areas such as Las Vegas.

A year is when you start planning. Maybe show him some of the timelines on here and explain that many of the vendors require deposits and plans several months in advanced.

You're not wrong for trying to get a venue book a year in advance! That's basically standard, especially as Courtney said with such a high profile area

This is what I did and it worked great. Just make the tour appointment and tell him when you’re going and he’s welcome to join you. When you look at vendors, just schedule the phone appointments and meetings and tell him he can come or not. Give him the options and if he doesn’t give you an opinion just choose.

You and everyone else “has a whole year”, the best vendors and locations go to the bride who picked them first. He’s also assuming everything will go off without a hitch. What if your vendor drops out? What if your venue shuts down? At the very least you need to be picking out your top 3 picks for everything important to you so you’ll have options.

I definitely started way earlier than some. We got engaged December of 2018 and at that point we had an idea in mind, and switched it when the logistics became a whole headache. I have done hours and hours of exhaustive research (and got some great tips from all y'all ) I have a place in mind and spoke to him about it and he said he actually likes it which was huge. He doesn't want to settle on it until we get there this September and see it in person. I understand that but am slightly anxious about the date still being available even that far out.

Many venues book a year or more in advance, even in Las Vegas. In fact, those places in Vegas might even book faster because it's such a high tourist area, and such a popular place to get married. If you have a place that he actually likes, I would call them ASAP, and see if they have your date available. If so, I would find out exactly what they need to reserve it for you. Maybe even tell the coordinator that you are planning a visit there next month, and can't really book it until that time. Some places will agree to let you know (phone call/email) if another couple inquires about the date you want, before just giving it away to someone else. That way you get first shot at putting down a deposit for the date you want. If FH is inflexible about the date, then you may not get your first choice of venue. That was one thing I learned in my planning process. Yes, you may have a year or two to plan your wedding, but millions of other couples are doing the exact same thing right now, and they are all looking at venues, and other vendors. Most places book on a first come, first served basis. So, if another couple visits that venue the week before you go, and books it for the date you want, you're not getting married there, unless you move your date.

There's a popular saying here on WW: you don't have a date until you book your venue.

That was my FH too. I started looking about 13 months out and he just wanted to wait until we were there in person (DW in Florida). It ended up working out and we booked it 11 months in advance, but I would definitely suggest getting started on research sooner rather than later. Places book up pretty far in advance!

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Thankfully, the coordinator I've been in contact with says she will give me a heads up if something comes up where another couple wants it before we get there to see it. I'm happy about that and only slightly less anxious about it. Thanks for soothing my fears!

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I'm so happy it worked for y'all!

My FH was the same I've done everything in 7 months and we have two months left. I think the earlier the better that way you have way less things to stress about.

There was a venue that I really liked that filled up a year and a half in advance of the date I had originally wanted. You’re definitely not wrong, good venues fill up FAST