Please help with wedding planning!?

Question

I just got engaged and don't know where to start, we have a date set but what do i do now when do i start looking for a dress and all the good stuff? Wedding is set for 10/15/2008.
PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer 1

CONGRATS!!!! How exciting! The first thing you want to do (and is the most important) is to sit down with your fiance and both sets of parents and figure out a budget and who is paying for what...if it is just you and your finace, then you both have to make some serious decisions as to how much money you are willing to spend on everything. AND, no matter what, stick to the budget!!!!! As a wedding planner, I can't tell you how many couples I have come across who haven't stuck to their budget and big problems came up.

After the budget is done, then you can get to the fun stuff!! The ceremony and reception locations should be next, though, as they fill rather quickly sometimes (depending on where you're looking at). Then interview and select your caterer, baker, florist, entertainment and photographer. Make sure you are up front with them about your budget...if they hesitate and pressure you into paying more than you are comfortable with...don't use them!!

If you are unsure about anything or are hesitating about details and/or larger issues...hire a wedding planner!!! Most of the time brides think they don't need a planner and before they know it the details aren't done and it is too late to hire someone. If you hire ahead of time, then there will be no question of who will be doing what. That is the best advice I can give you. If you have more questions, feel free to email me, [e-mail]...I'd be happy to help you out.

Answer 2

Well, at least you have plenty of time! Congratulations! I would start by deciding what colors you want. Don't buy a dress until after June 2008---that way it's close enough to the wedding that you should know the right size. (Lots of people try to lose weight before their wedding..don't know if that's the case with you). You can also start talking about where you want to have it with your fiance. It's a good idea to decide on that pretty far in advance so you are sure to secure a date. Figure out who you want in your wedding and who you're going to invite. I would make a list so it's handy when you are ready to start invitations. Also think of things you want as gifts and start compiling a list of those (that way when you go to register you will have thought of lots of good things you both can use). Maybe you should also start thinking about a honeymoon. Since it's so far in advance, you can spend time looking to find some great deals. Other than that, most of the other details should be worked out in 2008 when it's closer to your wedding. Hope this helps! : )

Answer 3

Get started already, since you have the date... next find a reception hall and ceremony hall or church..... There is no reason you can't get started right away. If your getting married in the church you can look into your pre canna classes, that are required for you to get married in a church. For the most part a year is enough time to plan a wedding so after you secure your ceremony location and reception and dance location, hang loose and gather ideas and when a year before the wedding come's around, get started...... that is such a long engagement... why wait so long?? I literally had a year engagment and it feels likes its been so long, we are now on our 6 month mark, but jeez it took forever..... .MAYBE just MAYBE you should move the dates up.

Answer 4

Your wedding date is 2yrs away, you have plenty of time to get organized. Get yourself one of those wedding organizer to start with. Start to ask around about good places for the reception and get that book along with the church. Once those are taken care of you can sit back and do the rest of the planning at your own pace. DO NOT rush to get everything done right now, you may end up changing your mind a hundred times before you settle on a dress, invites, flowers and colors. Best of luck.

Answer 5

Calm down. You have a long time to plan, 2 years almost.

Here's what I would suggest for you.

Sit down with your parents, his parents, and your fiance and talk about the basics that you want in the wedding: date, venue, budget, etc. Also, plan on who is going to pay for what, and get a pledge to that. Getting a good outline of your ideas will help you figure out the big scope of the wedding, and then you can mill over the small details from there.

Answer 6

first, start putting money away in a separate account. A money-market account might be best for now, so you can earn interest.

second, check out wedding sites like theknot.com for basic advice. Go to your local library or bookstore and get some books or wedding planning. The information will differ a little bit, but it will give you a general guideline of when you need to start and complete certain tasks, how to budget your funds, etc.

Don't worry, you have almost two years to plan, that's more than enough for any size/type/kind of wedding. Congratulations!

Answer 7

Start now by figuring out about how much you can spend on the wedding. Then break it down into: venue, apparel, decor, and reception. You'll want to do the big stuff as soon as possible.

First you will want to book your venue, your official, and a dj/band
If you need to rent anything like party tents, tables/chairs- do that next.

Then figure go for the dress, tux, and bridal party apparel.

After that figure out what you have left for spending and plan your food, drink, cake, decor, flowers, etc.

Answer 8

start saving now....dont make any decisions about adress until April 2008.... you can try booking a place this early...but they may not be there in a few years or wont even do it at all...can you change the dat? that is a long time to wait for a wedding!

Answer 9

You have time, right now just look around and start saving money to make sure you get the best deals.

Here is a checklist, but there are millions online if you don't like this one.

http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/planning/checklist/12-10months.asp

Answer 10

you start saving money now so your dad doesnt have to foot the bill and in 2008 you start sending invitations out and start planning the wedding.