How soon to start planning?

[ocbride2007]

Hi everyone!!

We just got engaged in February, and we''re planning on stting the big day for next summer, maybe 07-07-07 (7 is my lucky number!) I''m just finishing up a busy first year in law school, so I haven''t had much of a chance to start planning yet. I want to try to get as much done this summer as possible, because it will be hard for me to balance school and planning at the same time. But I''m a little worried about it being too early - I just have nightmares about what will happen if in the next year the restaraunt changes their mind, or the photographer decides to go on vacation and leaves me high and dry, etc. Trust me, I will get contracts from everyone (and practice those lawyer skills) but I''m still worried.

Our date isn''t even set in stone and I''m already having nightmares about the whole thing! (check out my blog for my first nightmare... quite scary). I plan on calling our church to at least confirm that as soon as I finish finals, I know they won''t let me down, but I''m worried about all the oter stuff. How soon did all of you start planning? I''m also worried becasue there''s a lot of people in Orange County, and a lot of people getting married in the summer. I don''t want all the good djs, etc to be gone, either! Sorry, I''m a very nervous bride to be, and it''s making it worse because I really can''t start planning anything for another month!

Comments, suggestions, etc would be appreciated.

Thanks!! I plan on coming back here often once I actually get some time to plan, so you''ll be seeing lots more of me!!

 

[jaz464]

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Okay, my opinion: definitely not too early to start planning, especially the important stuff. I would get the church and reception location reserved right away. I would also get a photographer asap. July is always a busy month for weddings. And if you have a contract, your photographer is not just going to up and leave for vacation during your wedding weekend! Before you know it, your wedding will be just 1 year away. Churches and photographers very often book more than 1 year in the future, some 2 years. Plus getting things done and reserved will help to put your mind at rest. You won't worry so much as you slowly cross things off your list.

First thing you and your fiance need to do is decide on budget. Next a date. You can do nothing else before these things are accomplished.

 

[LizzieC]

I concur

(I''m also a 1L, so I can use the cheesy legalese)... I''d set the budget and start planning ASAP. Especially if you''re shooting for 07-07-07... methinks it''s a date that''ll book up extra fast. Most places will let you book 1.5 + years ahead.

 

[ocbride2007]

I do think I better book the church ASAP... my fiance keeps telling me that we have plenty of time, but he''s very laissez-faire, and I''m type-A. Luckily it is me who will do most of the planning!! His sister had a huge, elegant wedding two years ago and I feel like, although ours won''t be as big, it still can''t be too low-key by comparison.

Lizzie - where have you found the time to plan in between all of the 1L madness? I don''t even want to get a haircut, let alone visit reception sites, LOL. But this summer should be productive - I''ve got a clerk position that only requires 12 hours a week - the rest is free for dress shopping, etc!!

 

[nytemist]

There is nothing wrong with being a nervouse bride- it happens even to the most laid-back people. My now FI is also the "don''t worry, everything will work out and be fine" type as well, while my head is going a mile a minute thinking of all the detailed stuff that could easily be forgotten about. My advice is to take care the most important things first- the ceremony location, reception location, photographer. Once those are nailed down, go to the second ost important things- DJ, flowers, caterer. Even though his sister''s was a big affair, you do what you and your Fi want for you own wedding.

We got engaged Feb 2 of this year and we''re getting married on Halloween. We going along pretty well with our plans. Ours is really small and we''re doing what we like. No DJ, just and iPod for music, not a whole lot of flowers; just some roses to put in the centerpiece and the mom corsages. I''m having my dress made for pretty cheap since I didn''t want white.

I can''t recommend enough the book that was given to me to help. Even if you aren''t doing a lot of things mentioned, it still gives your a good planning timeline. It''s called "The brides book of lists: thing to do and questions to ask" by Amy Nebens and it''s carried at Barnes &Noble.

Can I ask why it can''t be more relaxed? Pressure from family?

 

[ky6]

Ha! I know your fears. Primarily because I am also a type-A (I am a lawyer and know the sorts that are attracted to our profession). Anyhow, I am sure that more than your lawyering skills you will use those type-A organizational skills. Most of your contracts will be fairly boilerplate, but do not be afraid to ask them to negotiate the important points (things that are substantive and not stylistic of course).

I definitely do not think that you are starting too early. You and your fiance should sit down and rank those main budget items (apparel, music, catering, venue, photog, etc) separately. Then come together and see what you each value the most. Compromise to create a collective ranking and then start with those items that you have decided are your priorities. We did that and it really helped us to stay focused and decide what we absolutely had to book right away. Otherwise it can all be somewhat overwhelming.

Good luck...you will be glad that you are getting an early start

By the way...when I was a 1L a 3L told me this- The first year they scare you to death, the second they work you to death, and the third they bore you to death. I found that to be fairly accurate. So keep in that in mind when you are contemplating how much you should get done this summer on the wedding plans. I say the more the better!

 

[IndiBlue]

ocBride- I''m in the same situation I got engaged back in January and am just now starting to plan because of school as well. I''m finding that although I''m a year out from when we would like to be married (May 07) most of the venues are already booked for most of May all of June and so now I''m having to consider July!

 

[selflove]

I agree with the others, never too early to start planning! You''ll have a million last minute things to do no matter how you plan.

As for now, you need to set the budget and then pick a date (which might be dependent upon the venue(s) you choose for the ceremony and/or reception--that happened to us). Then book the photographer, DJ, florist and if need be, a caterer.

7-7-07 is going to be a very popular date and I wouldn''t be surprised if a lot of places are already booked that day.

 

[ocbride2007]

Yeah, you know, I''m a little worried about the 07-07-07 date and finding a venue for the reception, especially since my fiance is Asian, and it''ll be at an Asian restaurant, or at the very least be Asian catering, and lucky numbers are all the more important in that culture... I''m not really into it a lot, but I really like the look of the date, and it''s perfect since it''s near fourth of July and my birthday is a few weeks later, and I really don''t want a wedding at the same time as my birthday!!

And there really isn''t a choice as to the church, we''re going to get married in the church he went to as a child, and where I was confirmed when I converted. Luckily, they just remodeled so it will look great in the photos! So if they are booked up on that date, I have no other choice, i just have to move it.

I''m just nervous because I really can''t do a thing for at least 2 more weeks when finals are over... speaking of which, I really need to stop reading this forum and hit the books!! But weddings are soooo much more exciting than property law.

 

[selflove]

OCB--Ha! I know how you feel! I have 3 more days in the office before taking vacation for 2 weeks and do you think I could be focused on work?? Hell no! And it''s not even like I have any planning left to do...so what''s my excuse for being a PS addict?