Need a little guidance! Booking vendors, tips, etc.

Since you have your venue, you can book your vendors whenever they open their books for 2023. I'm a big planner and I knew the vendors I wanted to work with, so I booked most of mine 19-22 months out from the date. If you can book them now, you may even be able to lock in the current 2021 rates before they are raised at the beginning of the year (we got really great contracts in 2018 for our planned 2020 wedding). I'd start by locking in your big vendors (caterer, photographers, officiant, DJ). From there, you can reevaluate your budget and begin looking for your other vendors. Best of luck!

Agree with Nicole 100%, I booked my venue 2 years in advanced and already booked my big vendors for my October 2022 wedding. Because of COVID vendors might be raising their rates, I know my photographer raised his but we were locked into the 2020 rate. There really isn't any real way to save money with wedding related costs besides cutting things out like programs and favors, having a smaller wedding party - inviting less people

It does not hurt to book them now as a lot of people are getting married in 2022 and 2023 due to the pandemic. This will secure your spot for sure, but also proceed with caution. The reason being is because just in case something were to happen make sure you can get out of it and leave with your deposit if possible. Therefore, read over their contract as thoroughly as you can so you are familiar with it in case they try to come at your for something, there is a family emergency where you may have to postpone, etc.

I vote book now. We got engaged in March and I had most of my vendors booked by April and our wedding is in 2022. By booking when I did I locked in rates that would have been higher. About half my vendors said their prices would be going up this summer.

Start shopping around now and book as soon as you decide if they let you so you will have the ones you want locked in place.

Start booking now I hired a lot of my vendors that my caterer and venue usually work with ( and had good reviews ) cause I figured they are used to working together so it should flow nicely.. hopefully. lol!

Also May 2023 bride! Venue - which is also our ceremony site & will be doing all the food - was booked 2 months ago 😃 We have our DJ booked as well. I am still deciding on a photographer. Oh, Andi have my wedding dress. Book anything you can now! I was able to lock in all vendors at 2021 prices.

I would book now because with the exception of food due to prices fluctuating you can get 2021 prices,

We booked in 2020 for our wedding in 2022. We have all of our vendors.

Has anyone mentioned booking now? LOL
But yes, if their books are open now, do it now. If not, mark your calendar for a reminder when they do open.
You will feel that stress lift when you book!