Too early to start planning

Not to early at all! The more you get done now is less you have to do as the wedding gets closer and you won't feel as much stress. I would start first with your budget. Once you have that set i'd start looking for a venue. You'd be shocked at how fast they fill up.

View Quoted Comment I agree! Set a budget and start looking at venues. Once you have that, I’d say photographer/videographer are next. Congratulations and good luck!

It’s not to early. I’d start with a super rough guest list. Like my fiancé and I sat down and did like immediate family and just that was like 50 people so we knew we would need a space for like about 100 since we want friends there too. Then a budget. Then a venue. 🙂🥳 have fun girl. Also take your time. The beauty of planning like super a head of time is you have more time to make decisions and I have honestly found it’s not that stressful yet lol

I myself am getting married 9-11-21 so I’m already planning as well. Honestly I feel like it’s just so much fun planning never too early. Venues book fast so that would be my first thing. I’m having mostly friends and family help with everything except catering, so I’ve just been getting tough ideas of prices from them and when they would like to be paid. Then just start getting ideas for themes or how you imagine your big day

Congratulations on your engagement!

I got engaged last August and started planning soon thereafter for a wedding 2+ years out. Granted, I picked a super popular date and knew it, but you really can't start too early.

Take some time to enjoy your engagement, your new relationship status, and your partner. Then start getting into planning, and have fun with it!

We've made a lot of big decisions already, and I haven't really been stressed at all because I've been able to do things at my own pace and when I feel like it.

You'll hear this a lot, but you don't have a date until you have a venue. The venue is 110% the first thing you should book. In order to do that, as PPs mentioned, you'll want to have a rough idea of a budget, guest list, etc. to help inform your venue decision.

After planning for a year, and still being a year+ out, this is what I have booked/bought:

- Venue (for getting ready, ceremony, cocktail hour, pictures, reception; also includes a coordinator, alcohol/food package, linens, etc.)

- Photographer (for engagement and wedding); our engagement photoshoot is finally coming up this November!

- DJ

- Officiant

- Wedding Dress

I've done a few casual cake tastings, but the place that I want to go with doesn't really start taking orders until 10 months out max.

Right now, I'm looking into hair/makeup vendors, florists, and wedding party attire.

Once we get our engagement pictures, I'm going to work on our website, registry, save-the-dates (if we even do them), and invitations.

I'm super excited about some of the little details, so I'm casually talking with my FH and friends & family about things like wedding favors, centerpieces, guestbooks, etc.

One last tip: Pinterest is great, but don't get too caught up in it. A lot of things on Pinterest are expensive, not realistic, or both. I used it to get some inspiration for colors and my dress, but it's easy to set yourself up for disappointment if you dream up your wedding on there.

Good luck!

Yes!! Pick your venue now! I thought 1.5 years in advance would be enough but you really need 2
years in advance if you’re picky (like me!)

Well first CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉 and NOPE not at all! We got engaged May of 2018 and our wedding is September 2020. The first bonus is that you can SAVE by creating a wedding fund! Get a separate account and just add $50, $100 or $200 each pay. Just keep dropping money! You'll thank yourself after 1 year because you will have probably paid for almost every deposit you'll need plus more.

I would start with your venue, caterer and rough draft guest list first. They are your big ticket items and are normally booked 1 year in advance. It's true, the early bird gets the worm! You'll have so much time to actually research vendors and start meeting with them at times that are convenient for you. You won't have to worry about your favorite photography already being booked or worrying about if your dress will be finished in time.

Just do as much research as you can first before committing to the first thing you see. Some vendors won't want to book that far in advance because products do change, they get discontinued, etc. Also because it's so far away, your vision could change. You can however formulate your budget better. Once you research how much things actually cost in your area, you'll be able to sort through your must have items and your wants. Happy planning!

It's not too early. I'm getting married 8/15/21 and I've already started looking into venues. Always start with your budget. Then venue/and or guest list. My FH and I have already narrowed down a lot of details. Good luck and congrats!!

I'm getting married July 2021, so I understand! We're a strange situation as we're having two weddings, each in our family's country (USA for me, China for him) so it's taking extra effort as we live and work in Europe. But either way, if you start planning now (budget + rough guest list) and begin ticking off the big things like venue, caterer, and maybe even a photographer if you have someone in mind... you get first choice on everything!

I already picked + ordered my dress because to get it in + get fittings next summer it won't be finished for me to wear until my wedding in two years anyway!

It's never to early to start planning. I've been "planning" for a while finding vendors but not booking until the time to book them. It will make the real planning process so much easier because then you know who to go to and book without stressing out. Our wedding was June 2020 but now June 2021. Tell them you just want information and prices approximately so you know what they are and you will contact them when you are officially booking them. I've had no issue with vendors giving that information to you.

I don’t think so. Weddings are so expensive that it gives you plenty of time to start preparing for everything you want. Happy planning 💕

Never too early! Since you’re this far out, thinking of a budget and savings plan (if you need one) is a great place to start. Or you could also start thinking about your overall vision for your wedding. And lastly, depending on your venue, you might be able to even book it (some venues book up quickly)

I got engaged December 2018, and slowly planning my 2021 wedding, I know it's a bit out, but the way I look at it we are almost in 2020 ( only 3-4 months left of 2019) so why not start planning now. We are starting with budget, then trying to pick perfect venue, then date ( I'm interested in getting married in the "off season" if we find the right venue). We have a rough draft of guest list but have to revist it.

NEVER to early!!! First thing is we found a venue! Figured that was step one haha. Most places have someone in charge of weddings there so we did speak to her. What she told us was to start with vendors that can only do one thing a day such as photographers, videographers and dj/band. Think about getting the dress searching started. Then you work your way out from there. Cake and florist next since they can probably only do 2 or 3 a day. And continue on from there.

we also went to barnes & noble and got some books with timelines and checklists( i personals got the brides checklist book it’s purple). It will keep you ahead of the game!!! We also got magazines for inspiration and stated a Pinterest board for wedding and added my bridesmaids, maid of honor and mom as contributors!

hope this helps! Happy planning!!

I forgot budget, but my mom was upfront about it. And I didn’t talk about officiant or catering since the venue does the catering and our officiant is our 3rd groomsmen. But those are also vendors that can only do one wedding in a day!

Even though I'm not as far out as you, I'd say it's never too early. You get a head start on what you want so as the time gets closer you won't have to worry about much.

I would ALWAYS start with a guest list and budget. That way you can figure out what kind of wedding you can afford to have with the people that are a must and can adjust your venue/caterer/etc expectations depending on where that first number lands. For example, if you have 200 must invites, you'll probably have a much different style wedding than using the same amount of money for 50 people.

Congrats!! Girl its never too early to start planning! We have chosen November 21 2020 and I have booked our venue, had a food tasting, and got my dress! I am just overly excited! I have been engaged since December 2018...but we just now have started booking things. Things fill up fast! I would start looking at budget and venue for sure!

I agree with PPs, it’s not too early to start planning. You’re at an advantage booking this early because most of your spaces and vendors should be available. Definitely start with a budget then move to venue. I’m 13 months out and we have the officiant, the venue, the photographer, and the dress, which we booked in that order but only because the officiant is a judge and my mentor and it’s really important to me that she marry us.

It’s never too early to start !! Our wedding is 11.08.2020 and I’ve already made our STD-invitations, thank you cards, favors, centerpeices and booked venue DJ Cake lol I just can’t stop 🤣😬