When did you start planning?

[p-nut]

Hi Everyone,

Our wedding is a ways out (Summer 09) so I feel that it''s a bit soon to dive into planning. But....I want to!!! We are thinking of having a backyard wedding at my dad''s house on the coast. I''m just curious how much time you took, or are taking, to plan and where in the world to start in regards to planning a backyard wedding. Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[MustangFan]

hi p-nut (love the name)

It would be safe to say a year is enough time to plan.
I got engaged April 07 and we are having a Sept. 08 wedding
I allowed 6 months to enjoy engagement mode before I dived into planning.

I put all my deposits down already and have almost everything done. I really want to go wedding ring shopping, but I''m trying to hold out as long as possible.

 

[bee*]

I''m getting married summer 09 also and I got engaged in October. We booked the venue soon after we got engaged as it''s extremely popular but other than that, I haven''t done anything. I''m going to try and maybe book the photographer, videographer and band soon.

 

[goldenstar]

Gee, I started surfing the internet and looking in magazines for wedding stuff two years before I had a ring on my finger. I knew that we would get married at that point. We got engaged this May and started visiting venues at that time. Our wedding won't be until April or May of 09. We plan to book the venue and photographer in approximately April 08. We are still doing research and saving money for various expenses.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey, P-Nut! Congrats on your engagement and feel free to start planning whenever you want!! The good news is that you already know your venue, so you can start planning around that. I had a clambake reception at a private residence on the coast, so I can relate to what you want. I was engaged of Feb. of this year and married in September, so I had about 7 months to plan. DH booked our venue in March, I bought my dress and sent out the STDs the next week and I didn''t lift another finger until June, but I''m not much of a planner

I think the best place to start is the guest list and the budget, which usually go hand in hand Summer of ''09 isn''t THAT far away, I think 1.5 years is very average for an engagement.

P.S. The most important thing I learned about planning a wedding at a private residence is that logistically it is more difficult than planning a wedding at a traditional venue. You have to rent all the tables, chairs, various dishes and glassware (depending on what you''re serving), silverware, linens, a tent (?), etc. Also, most vendors are used to working at or delivering to traditional venues, so I found myself having to give them very detailed directions so they wouldn''t get lost

 

[p-nut]

OMG...I love the clam bake idea....how fun. I guess since we have our venue we are one step ahead of the game! We are planning on having a pretty simple affair since it is a second marriage for both of us. I think I''ll sit back and enjoy life for a few months before I dive in. We need to have a summer wedding to work around my teaching schedule and agree that in the scheme of thnings, a year and a half isnt that far away!

 

[Independent Gal]

Hiya P-nut,

So, here''s my 2 cents. The thing that has kept me from hating wedding planning has been doing it a bit at a time. I have a full time job and a hectic international travel schedule. So, spreading things out over the months, doing a bit here and a bit there, has kept my head from exploding. We locked down the big things right away (venue, DJ, booking a florist). Then I''ve been doing a couple of things each month. So, I recommend getting a list of tasks that need to be done. Doing the big ones ASAP, then taking your time with all the rest. It really makes it more pleasurable and less stressful.

Still, I have to say, I am completely sick of planning and wish the whole thing was over with. How can there still be SO MANY LITTLE DETAILS?!?!?! Especially when I said I wasn''t concerned with details. Turns out some details - like finding a strapless bra that FITS, is comfy, and won''t show under the dress - can''t be, uh, overlooked.