Question

At three years out, I would simply start looking for ideas on Pinterest. Your style may evolve over the course of those 3 years and you never know which venues/vendors could go out of business/move/etc. in that much time. I would start with the actual planning next summer (deposits on venue, caterer, photographer, planner, etc), as 2 years out is normally the earliest venues and vendors will start booking for future weddings (for reference, we're having a 24 month engagement and booked our venue, caterer, and photographer at 22 months out).

View Quoted Comment How about a wedding planner I’m getting a wedding planner and today I have a meeting with her. Nd me and my finance thinking about putting a down payment in small parts

I would book your planner and venue no more than two years out. Then other vendors closer to 1 year.

View Quoted Comment Ok so do book my wedding planner this year not even in small payment?

View Quoted Comment I just think it’s a little risky this early. I would instead put that money in a savings account. But do what you feel comfortable with.

View Quoted Comment But if I pay with my card I can always call my bank for a canceled payment

View Quoted Comment Not really. If you go ahead and sign a contract most of the time any money you pay they keep even if you cancel or they go out of business. It’s smarter to wait a year. A lot of times your date will also revolve around what the venue you decide on has available; unless the date is more important to you then the venue.

It isn't good practice to just cancel payments on people because you changed your mind. This is that planner's income and business to support themselves; it really shouldn't be something you joke around with. And when you discuss with the planner, they'll have a timeline and guide for you to follow.

View Quoted Comment Ok thank you.

View Quoted Comment Ok I mean I’m a type person to get things done and out the way. And my date is in the summer I really love the summer season.

Don’t pay a single dime towards your wedding yet. I agree with the ladies here, businesses change, people move, things come up. Contracts that you sign with any vendors are legal binding documents that you would be obligated to, small claims court would hold you to it if it came to that. Just enjoy being engaged and getting ideas and maybe get a wedding notebook of your own to start planning pictures and logistics. That way when you’re ready to book a planner maybe 18 months out, you have all of that stuff organized and ready for her to look at

View Quoted Comment Same with me with the fall. I knew I wanted a fall wedding but I had to pick a fall date that my venue had. You still shouldn’t pay anything more then 2 years in advance because of how high of a risk it is.

View Quoted Comment Ok my wedding book is the knot planner and it have contact and pictures and budget

View Quoted Comment 100% agree with you.

I'm getting married 2022 and I've already started looking and at venues
I'm searching for a wedding planner now. It's never to early. You've got plenty of time to save more money.

View Quoted Comment Ok so u saying just wait? Because 2020 is to early?

Wait. Don’t give money yet in my opinion. 3 years is a long way out. If you are just so super excited to plan, maybe change it to 2022. I agree with everyone, you don’t know who may be out of business, or what changes may happen. What if you give a deposit and 6 months later stumble across the absolute perfect venue....? You won’t get your money back. Venues also don’t generally take a small deposit to hold, the deposit is non negotiable really. My deposit was almost $4000. That’s not an amount I’m would want to play around with.

View Quoted Comment No dont wait.. start now figuring out exactly what you want.

View Quoted Comment Thinking should I make my first deposit because this planner I found so very small until my wedding day is close then big payment

Wow a three year engagement. You can probably book your venue and start getting ideas together. Everything else needs to wait, like your dress etc. A lot can change in three years, especially now that a few businesses may be going out of business you dont want to somehow get in financial trouble this early in the process.