I’m getting married August 7 2010. I’ll be doing a lot of DIY stuff, and it will be a fairly small, laid-back wedding. When should I start planning and getting stuff done?
I only want answers from ppl who have planned a wedding before 🙂 Experience is usually the best thing to learn from. Thanks! 10pts for best answer!
If you need a venue, DJ, caterer, photographer, cake baker, etc you need to start booking those things now. Many of these vendors can book up over a year in advance.
Basically, wedding planning is super busy in the beginning (around 1 yr prior to big day) then kind of slow for a while, then super busy again for the last 2 months before the wedding. But since you’re doing a lot of DIY projects, you should start those projects as soon as possible so you can spread things out. You’re not going to want to spend 10 hr days at the last minute making programs, favors, etc! Plus, if you slowly accumulate the supplies for your DIY projects, you can spread the costs over a few months paychecks.
Good luck, and remember to have fun! Too many brides get stressed and hate planning their wedding — I’m having a blast!
February 19th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I would plan 6 months before your wedding. If you find things along the way that you like and on sale, go ahead and grab it. However, 6 months is a general rule of thumb.
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February 19th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
6 months
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February 19th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I’d say a year ahead.
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February 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
my wedding is sept 4, 2010 and im doing most of my DIY next spring/summer although you can start anytime you would like…just keep in mind you will have to store it in your house until the wedding! I would get your big stuff planned however, I have my venue, Dj, caterer, and commisioner booked so far. I have the dress i want to buy in mind but im waiting a few months to order it. Everything else can wait. I use http://www.weddingbycolor.com its like a blog where u can post all your wedding updates/progress and ask people questions..or see other brides planning and get a sense of if your on track or not. I find it so helpful. best wishes
EDIT: im not sure if i exactly answered your questions…start planning now so your not rushed and have more options.. things fill up fast for weddings..well the good things. You dont have to do it all now…just slowly over time
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February 19th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Book the venue now if it’s possible, many will already be booked up, especially for that time of year.
We booked our 31st July wedding the previous November and it was only when I rang a couple of reception locations that my now husband realised how far ahead people plan; some places assumed I wanted the year after!
The rest can wait until after just Christmas, just look at ideas and research suppliers etc. Maybe you can get your dress in the January sales. Things really up a gear after Valentines Day it seems. Time flies by so be thorough, shop around and stick to what you want. Don’t let anyone try to push you into having a day that is anything other than what the two of you want.
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Been there 6 years ago.
February 19th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I’d say a year in advance if you’re planning a large wedding.
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February 19th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I got engaged in February and we had a beautiful wedding in September. We took only seven months to plan which was more than enough time however, you have to keep in mind that places and people (photographers, etc) can book up very early.
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February 19th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I planned mine in 3 months. It was about 200 people with all the stuff done by me. Diy stuff is great but it can be very stressful to deal with. So id say about 5 or 6 months. =)
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February 19th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
well if you have not booked your venue, minister, caterer or dj , i would now those things can book up to a year in advance fast
i would buy a planner book. it is a life saver . or check theknot.con
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February 19th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
If you need a venue, DJ, caterer, photographer, cake baker, etc you need to start booking those things now. Many of these vendors can book up over a year in advance.
Basically, wedding planning is super busy in the beginning (around 1 yr prior to big day) then kind of slow for a while, then super busy again for the last 2 months before the wedding. But since you’re doing a lot of DIY projects, you should start those projects as soon as possible so you can spread things out. You’re not going to want to spend 10 hr days at the last minute making programs, favors, etc! Plus, if you slowly accumulate the supplies for your DIY projects, you can spread the costs over a few months paychecks.
Good luck, and remember to have fun! Too many brides get stressed and hate planning their wedding — I’m having a blast!
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February 19th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Speaking from a wedding/event planner point of view I would start now being that you will be doing a lot of things yourself. The reason I say start now is because you can get a lot of items on sale. I don’t know what you color scheme is but I love doing burnt orange, red, with dark brown and gold accents. You could find so many things after Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and even 4th of July. Those would be great colors and you can do so much with it. Good Luck.
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February 19th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
you should start planning now….. and be done by August 5, 2010.
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