How early is too early to plan a wedding?

Question

I am planning on getting married June 2008. I went to look at dresses to day with my maid of honor and the lady at the store said it was too soon to be picking dresses and colors. But I know for sure I want the colors I have picked out and am in love with the dresses. Was she right or am I correct in starting early. I have issues with putting off things i am looking forward too for any amount of time and am already stressing over the planning. Any NICE advice would be appreciated.

Thanks so far for all of you alls input. And to the one that said Jan 08. I didn't find your answer rude or anything like that at all. I have been on here looking at questions and answers for a few hours and there were some people with really snide/rude remarks that were uncalled for. Like i said all the advice is very much appreciated.

Answer 1

Hey, it's a year and a half away. People book their reception sites TWO YEARS in advance, I think you're fine. Go for the bigger things first though since you're a bit early. I would do the ceremony site and reception site first. You may want to wait until the new 2008 dresses come out as well. If you get one in January 08, you'll want it in at least a month in advance of your wedding, so that would give you 5 months. My dress is taking 8 months to come in, I got mine the weekend after I was engaged, lol. I wasn't planning on buying it then, it just kinda happend, and I'm glad I got it then. It'll be in around May or June, and my wedding is in September, so I'll have lots of time for alterations, etc. I will have been engaged for 1 year almost down to the day, and even though it's only been 4 months now, everything is basically done. I just have to go and discuess menu next week, and take the girls to order their dresses (already picked out) next weekend as well.

I understand your need to get things done, I was pretty anxious, about not getting the date I wanted. With 11 months notice of asking for August 18th for the reception site I wanted, it was already booked. I had to move the wedding a month to September 15th. So get everything you want now early! It'll be worth it! :)

Answer 2

I think you're fine to start looking. I was engaged in September, getting married this March. I went dress shopping 2 weeks after getting engaged & was warned that 6 months was a short period of time to do the big details, that a year is usually the best time to start. If you have things you like & that's what you envision in your wedding, there is no harm at all at start booking & buying now. Besides, June is the busiest wedding month, you need to start early in order to book a location, etc. Plus, I wouldn't want to deal with trying to get a dress with all the other June brides.

Maybe it's just me, but I think that woman was very rude & I'd actually look for a dress else were, for you & your wedding party. I'd also call the manager of the store & explain that you were going to buy your dress & wedding party outfits there, but since their service lady seems to think it's too early you'll be taking your money elsewere.

Answer 3

While it may be a little early to pick out your dress, it's not too early to reserve your vendors and venues, if you are particular about the date or the vendor/venue. Many brides with your date are beginning their wedding planning as we speak. If you found exactly the right dress, however, there's no reason you can't go ahead and order it. Prices could go up, if you wait too long, or, worse yet, that style may be discontinued. However, once you've ordered your wedding dress, stop shopping! Meaning, don't continue to look at wedding dresses and wonder if you should have gotten the dress you ordered. You'll make yourself crazy and you'll end up unhappy with your dress. Your bridal salon may not want to store your dress for a year and a half so you'll want an acid-free bag to store it in and keep it clean at home while you wait for your big day. Don't have it altered until about 2 months before your wedding day.

Answer 4

I started planning our wedding 19 months ahead! I started buying small things, like non-perishable things for the favors, the gifts for our attendants, etc. We booked the reception venue a year ahead, because that's how it's done where we want our wedding. We found our officiant before that. Some things NEED to be done early on.

As for your dresses, as excited as I'm sure you are, I think the sales associate was right. Fashion trends will change, your feelings might actually change whether or not you think they will. You have time-take advantage of that time and look at thousands of dresses.

Like I said above, there's lots you can do at this point in time.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Answer 5

The problem with planning a wedding is that everyone else things that you should do it just like they would. The lady at the store was VERY rude for saying you were starting too early.
How early you should start planning depends on your situation, your budget, and the size of the wedding which you are planning. Don't worry about what she told you -- just be careful not to obsess over it -- everything in moderation, or you'll drive yourself nuts.
Good luck!

Answer 6

I myself am planning the same month and year. I'm running into that trouble too. The venues don't have prices for that far away. I've kind of set aside this time to go through books and make a portfolio of everything I like. (yes, it will be thick) Go ahead and narrow styles, themes, etc down. Also the most important thing is to start saving today. Just think if you can save 100 a month until then you will have alot of money. Good luck and congrats

Answer 7

She told you because dresses aren't the first things you should be looking at. And because the styles change twice a year, there's a good chance you might pick something else.

Also, circumstances might change as well. I hate to say this but I've canceled many honeymoon trips because weddings were called off. I'm not saying that's what will happen to you. But it DOES happen. And June 08 is a long way away.

Go to The Knot.com. Follow that checklist of things to do based on your wedding date.

Good luck.

Answer 8

I'm not going to read all the answers you already have so someone may have said this already, but in my opinion I would wait a little bit on the dress and focus on other parts of the wedding, only because your size could change dramatically within the next year and a half... just my opinion though. Congrats!

Answer 9

I personally think the more time the better. I have been planning my wedding since November 2005 and I will be married on March 3, 2007. I had everything lined up ahead of time, and then my band wouldn't return my calls nor e-mails, so I had plenty of time to rebook someone else, without the stress. Right now it's coming down to the wire, and I am as calm as can be because everything is all ready in place, ready to go.

I think by allowing yourself plenty of time, you will not be as stressful.

Congrats to the both of you!!

Answer 10

1st of all congratulations !! i just got married october 21st it was the bestest day ever !! you should be planning now you have probraly been planning this day and your colours since you were a little girl so you can plan from whenever you like and really the earlier the better it saves you stressing out at the last few months worrying if everythings going right you will enjoy it all a lot more if you start early and do bits at a time honestly goodluck and have fun !! x