Over or under prepared?

I bought my dress 14 months before my wedding which has now turned into 26 months- thanks COVID. But anyways, I don’t think it’s too early to start looking especially since there may be more delay getting the dress with everything going on. Beyond that, sounds like you’re on top of it like I was. Take a few months to just enjoy being engaged!!

Our original date was 10/10/20 and we went ahead and booked all vendors and I had all ideas/plans decided over a year in advance. But for me, there was no need to drag it out just because. I wanted it done and out of the way so that I wasn’t doing wedding planning throughout the entire engagement. Now that we postponed to 10/30/21, I have a little longer to chill out and not be consumed with wedding planning. I added one new idea based on our new date. But that’s it. So now all I have left to do is wait until closer to the wedding when the small details are necessary (RSVPs, seating arrangements, final payments etc).

Sounds like you've got everything under control for your wedding and are super organized! That is awesome!


I pretty much started everything on time or even a little ahead of time, except for one thing: researching dresses. I went shopping with plenty of time before my wedding, but I truly wish I researched dresses ahead of time before I started shopping. I didn't know what styles I wanted to look at when I got to the store, and ended up purchasing a dress that I like (the fabric and lace are what sold me on it, and I still don't regret it), but it needs some major alterations (different back, different skirt shape, etc.) to make it into one I love. If I could go back in time, I would have researched more ahead of time and brought dress inspiration pictures with me to my dress appointments.
I don't think it's a bad idea for you to at least start looking at dresses (either online or in person). That way, you'll get a better idea of what you like/don't like, and you'll be able to find your dress much easier once you are ready to purchase one.

If i could redo it all over again, i think i would actually nix things like my game table and candy bar table

That's pretty amazing. Great job. Especially the fact that you're able to book the baker. I've always been told at least 6 months prior when I tried booking ahead. So now that we're at that mark, I'm looking again.


As far as the dress, it's never too early. That's what alterations are for. Last thing you want is to not get your dress in time or receive it with issues and not have the time to get them fixed or altered the way you want.

Do you have your photographer yet?

For the dress, I bought mine a little over a year out since I happened to find it at a sample sale.

I also booked hair/makeup a year out.

If you know what kind of decor you want or anything like that, you can start slowly buying things over time so that they don't all add up at once.

Good luck, and have fun!

View Quoted Comment We have the photographer already. We have hair and makeup since we have professional friends who are going to do it. We’ve gotten a lot done during our quarantine lol. I feel like it might be time to start looking at dresses so I can take my time and fall in love with a dress.


You’re so right about decor. We’re having a Christmasy wedding so we’re slowly gathering things now (and hoping for some good sales post Christmas 2020)! We definitely don’t need another huge bill right before the wedding so we want to spread that out.
Thanks for the input!

View Quoted Comment I’ve been looking online so I have an idea of what I like! I may start looking soon. I want to keep my options open! It may be a dress that I don’t expect at all that I’ll fall in love with. I’m gonna take my time and keep an open mind!

Plan your engagement shoot! I always recommend that couples get their engagement shoot done sooner rather than later.

View Quoted Comment Not a bad idea. We decided to do a very low key non professional shoot with just my sister. We didn’t really want to do one at all, but decided a nice fall shoot with some foliage would be really cute. I guess we’re getting to the time where we should start researching where and when to do it! Thanks for the tip!

Our wedding is going to be 09/10/2020, and we’ve got the venue booked with catering, and we’re looking at florists and bakery’s now to book them, so i’m right there with you! were meeting with our photographer this weekend! I like planning it all.

I started looking a year out and found one at my 4th shop. My wedding is in July and it wont be here till March! They said if another lockdown happens could be longer.. Lets just hope for the best haha

View Quoted Comment The first thing I did before I started wedding planning was I got my engagement shoot done, since it gave me a taste of what wedding planning is like. It also gave me a chance to research my photographer and possible venues.


It came in handy for when it was time to make my wedding website and save the dates. ^_^

View Quoted Comment Good plan! Smart idea to look online first too. Definitely try on dresses of all styles, even the ones you think you wouldn't like. So many people found their dream dress by trying on something different and ended up loving it! Happy dress shopping!