Put deposit down on venue... now what?

Heh, I tried to plan but the coordinator that came with my venue told me to wait until a year before the wedding. Everything is handled on site though.

My wedding is a couple of weeks before yours and we booked the venue almost 2 months ago. After that we researched and interviewed photographers and DJ's and we have now put deposits down on those and booked them! I say if there are any vendors you must have book them soon because they book up fast!

There were some month I didn't do anything and it was GREAT! I did a lot in the beginning, not much in the middle and everything else in the end.

I'd look for a photographer next. You're still super early so have plenty of time, but, you'll get your first choice, and I think the good ones tend to book up farther in advance. Our order was:

Venue

Photographer

Officiant

DJ

You can also just start looking at dress/decor styles, some catering options, colors, etc. Hold off until about 8mos-1yr out to purchase though. And especially to ask a bridal party. As we've seend a million times here...friendships change, as many who asking BP early found out. The closer to the wedding the more likely you are to have true friends at your side.

Yeah, I want to book the rest of the vendors before it's a year out. I think I'll focus on photographer next, luckily I don't have to find a DJ (the venue includes it in the package).

I would like a videographer and photobooth, but those are extras and can be cut out.

I love that I have a LOT of time with the planning, at the same time I'm eager to get the ball rolling and do bride-stuff like shop... and stuff.

I agree with vendors that your venue doesn't cover. Photographers were booked over a year in advance, ect. My only fear with that was that booking so far in advance if their life situation changed. That and Pinterest for planning it all. I had most of it done at one year so this year has been a lot less stressful.

We've been engaged since March and are getting married next June... (15 month engagement)

We booked our venue early on and have been doing small things since, but something we're doing starting this week is choosing one wedding task a week to accomplish (for example, this week we're finalizing our wedding party). We still have a little more than a year but I'm sure there are more than 53 things to do, but this allows us to be getting at least one thing done a week! although I know i'll be doing more some weeks

I am already booking late next year, so I'd say look for

music

photographer

officiant

And then you can relax!

Thanks for the tips photog is def next on the list. I guess we can start accumulating a guest list, starting with family first. I know who I want in my bridal party, but I'll wait until September/October before asking.

I have a 19-month engagement. I've booked everything other than hair/makeup, florist and baker (cake doesn't come with dinner). Booking early was nice to literally have my pick of just about all my first choices. You probably don't have to rush, but it doesn't hurt to start looking for what everyone else said, photographer and officiant at least and yes, budget and guest list are super important especially since as you're planning you'll realize how much everything actually costs and you may have to move your budget around.

My wedding is a week before yours next year and I booked the venue first, the following week I booked the photographer. Now I'm working on DJ and caterer, since we have to drive 3 hours to do tastings in the area where our wedding will be. Also looking into bakeries for the "donut" cake we are having.

If I were you, I'd get those big vendors out of the way, who once they book a wedding, they are gone for that day (i.e. photographer, DJ). Make sure you have a rough guest list together and a rough idea of the budget as well! The way I see it, I'd rather get done what I can early, so I'll be less stressed later!

Darn we're almost date twins! I booked my venue earlier this month too. I'm looking at photography/videography next.

And of course, start saving!

When planning your guest list, plan on everyone being in a relationship. That will give you a realistic idea of numbers you could be looking at. Just because Cousin Joe doesn't have a girlfriend right now doesn't mean he won't when invites go out next August!

We are getting married next year and have booked our venue, dj, officiant, photographer and I have my dress. I go to school during the year and work full time so I wanted to get as much done this summer as possible.

We are about a month before you, we booked the caterer, venue, officiant, and started our registry. We have an idea of what we want for other vendors and are going to be starting to talk to them this summer. Otherwise it's just been trying to get a solid idea of the feel as decor of the wedding

Next up, book the vendors that can only be at one place at a time -- photographer, videographer, DJ/band, musicians, officiant. I highly recommend using a checklist! I use the one on Real Simple but lots of girls use the one here on WW.

Our engagement will be 22 months total and I booked my venue Saturday. I booked my photog very early on (like March) and my wedding planner in Feb. Our wedding is a DW in off season so she's been telling me I have time and I'm kinda enjoying that. I am working on the florist first, then the DJ, and dress shopping in July/August. E-session is in Sept when I'll probably do my make up and hair trial so I can book them as well. May do my tastings at the same time since I dont know when I'm going back to the wedding city. Then STDs out in Nov-Jan and thats where we are thus far. I'm letting my planners work so that I don't overwhelm myself and I suggest you use the long engagement to do the same. Good luck with everything