What are the top things to be done?

View Quoted Comment I really need to hire my photographer. That seems to be a top 5.

View Quoted Comment I’ve got the approx guest count and my venue is the caterer. I’m just worried I’m not moving fast enough on other areas. I’m trying to lose weight and hoping to go dress shopping in September. Hopefully, that’s not to late.

View Quoted Comment That’s amazing!!! I’m doing everything myself. My bridal party includes our kids so...it’s all me. I have some good friends who are willing to provide advice on certain things but...this is all me. I hate that I feel so lost on even the small details.

View Quoted Comment It seems photographer is a top 5. I think that’s going to be my next decision.

We didn't prioritize, just did things as they came along so to speak. We have a bit of time, but here's how we did it:

Budget

Venue

Photographer

Dress

Guest List

Photog and Dress wouldn't be on my prioritize list initially but I found a photographer I was in love with and wanted to book her before she got booked by someone else. I went dress shopping with the intention of NOT buying a dress but then found 'the one' so I bought it. Guest List would be MUCH higher on my list. It's stressing me out so much now and we need a list so can prepare out save the dates. Still have time, but I want to get it done now so when it's TIME to send them out, there's no questioning.

Budget (a potential guest count was in this)

Venue

Caterer

Photographer

Videographer (if wanted)

Budget
Venue
Photographer
Florist
Design

Budget

DJ

Officiant

Photographer

Rentals

For me it was this:

- Budget

- Guest List

- Marriage Prep (for Catholic wedding)

- Venue(s)

- Photographers / Videographers

And then everything else snowballed from there, hah! Got a month left to go!

Top 5 for me after booking our venue are

Catering

Photography/Videography

DJ

Cake

Dress

Guest list

Budget

Venue (we wanted an all-inclusive location)

Hotel blocks (the good ones go quick in area)

Rentals

For me it was

1. Dress (LOL, I think I will marry my dress)

2. Venue

3. Budget / Saving

4. Guest list

5. Music

In hine sight I would have started saving a long long long time ago. Been saving for 18 months and that still doesn't seem to be enough time.

Budget.

Guest List.

Venue.

Photography.

Florist.

Our venue includes catering, bar, coordinator and room blocks for our guests. We basically booked our venue, photographer and florist between 16-14 months out from our wedding date. We are almost a year out now (6/27/20) and are currently looking for musicians for ceremony and cocktail hour and DJ for reception. Additionally, we have found a local stationary company who will be meeting with us next month to discuss all paper items, which we will start mailing out in September/October.

I would start looking for your dress 8-6 months prior at the minimum and 6-4 months prior for BM's as certain colors/styles are special order and you will need to build in alterations time for both.

Venue (catering included)

Photographer

Florist

Dress

DJ

1. Venue

2. Guest List

3. Photographer (they book so fast!)

4. DJ

5. Catering

That's how I did it at least it's such a relief when you knock them off the list!

I'm in early planning still. This is what I have done so far.

I'm still figuring out the photography part because I think I have a retired wedding photographer willing to do my photos. I also have a friend that is an officiant that is double-checking his schedule, but has said he'll do it as long as he doesn't have previous obligations.

1. Budget

2. Guest List

3. Venue

4. DJ

5. Catering

Budget
guest list
venue
photographer
food

Venue, wedding planner, photographer, my dress, and florist/event designer in that order. My budget evolved as I went along.

Venue, food/bar, cake, guest list for the StD’s & invites and then alllllll the DIY I have decided to take on! Lol

16 months away here and I have the venue, photographer, DJ, and ceremony violinist booked.

We set the budget and guest count first and discussed our must haves.

For me, venue was an absolute must do first because it allowed me to book the photographer I wanted. Everything else is now just a breeze and I can do it when I want to.