What comes next after picking your venue?

I’d get the major vendors out of the way, first, especially since your wedding is in 9 months. Many photographers, DJs, caterers, florists, etc may have already been booked for a year or more. If you’re wanting to use engagement pictures for Save the Dates, you’ll want to schedule that as soon as you lock in your photographer.


However, while you’re doing all of that, you’ll simultaneously want to be starting your dress search. Some dresses can take up to 9 months to come in. With your wedding taking place in less than a year, you’ll need to be juggling a few things at once, instead of spacing them out over a longer period of time.

View Quoted Comment Thanks for the tip! The good thing is I’m getting married on a Thurs so hopefully that helps me some.

That should help some! I would definitely do photographer next because we had a hard time finding one that wasn't already booked about seven months out.

Look for a dress as soon as you can, but I'd be more concerned about finding a photographer

I’d book your photographer (& videographer if you choose to have one), florist, caterer, and DJ ASAP. These vendor tend to book up far in advance. So they need to be a priority. Dress shopping should come pretty soon also. Your dress should typically be ordered 8-10 months before your wedding so it can arrive and give you time for alterations. If you are choosing to send STD’s (especially using your engagement photos) I would get that done sometime in the next 2 months. STD’s are typically sent out 6 months before your wedding. That being said, with your wedding being on a Thursday, you may want to send sooner to give people extra time to plan.

Photographer is definitely important but if budget is a concern IMO caterer is most important! Our venue only let us choose between five caterers and there was only one that had "normal people prices". Even if your venue let's you freely choose, the catering takes up such a big portion of your budget I think that getting that sorted allows other things to fall into place more easily. It will become clear if you can afford to splurge a little on the dress or photos, or if you have to tighten things up after estimating plate per guest. Good luck 💕

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

I did the DJ and photographer next.

After that I did the DOC and my gown. All of these I booked within 2 weeks of the venue. It was a lean month.

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Thank you! I've been researching this non stop.

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Wow impressive! thanks. Did you utilize wedding wire for this? That's what I've been doing and been looking at pricing and reviews from others that have booked from them.

View Quoted Comment Girl I feel you. The finding of the vendors was the most stressful part for me, and I had everything booked like 2 weeks out of him being on one knee. And I regret nothing. People were a little surprised I already had my cake sorted, but I needed to know it was done and taken care of so I could relax.

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I'm with you on that! I get anxiety if I don't complete things. Def dont like having things hanging over my head. Luckily the venue we chose offers an all inclusive package with BYOB! Don't have to go through another vendor for that thank God! So that's pretty much covered. So catering and drinks pretty much covered. Just missing florist, photographer, DJ, videographer, and MUA/Hair. I have my cake lady already : ). I'm hoping booking on a Thurs for a wedding helps me more with availability from these vendors.

View Quoted Comment It probably will! Also yes, all inclusive venues for the win because we have enough to juggle lol. You're doing good!

I think i booked dj and photobooth people next. i was more focused on booking vendors

View Quoted Comment Lol yup! We only have a 9 month engagement so I basically wanted to hit things out of the gate. Funny because the few months after that seemed a little boring in comparison. Now they it’s the new year it all us sunk in and the payments are adding up, yikes.