Planning my wedding that is a year and a half away?

My wedding is not for a year and a half. I'm so excited to be engaged and everything, but i know the planning needs to happen in a timely fashion and it will soon come all together. For now though, what can i do that is "not too soon"? We have already booked the ceremony and reception hall to make sure no one else books the place on the date we want, and we have an appointment at the end of the month for engagement pictures where my fiance propsed, but what else can I do? Plan an Engagment Party? Dress shopping or the girls and I? Favors? Save the Date Magnets? Cakes? Meet with Florists, Photographers, %26amp; DJ's? Please let me know any ideas or help? I'm a first time bride-to-be! :) And TOTALLY excited!!!

Planning my wedding that is a year and a half away?
Congrats to you! It is not too early to choose the sites like you have done, b/c they sometimes go quickly! It is also fine to send out save the dates in the next few months. You do not throw yourself an engagement party; either family or close friends do. But if they do, they may do it any time now. If you have not already booked the photographer for your wedding as well as the engagement pics, you can go ahead %26amp; do that.





I would wait on the dress shopping. Manufacturers come out with new styles %26amp; consequently discontinue some styles twice a year, usually in December and July. You don't want to pick something now, have everyone pay deposits %26amp; get measured, and then have the dress get discontinued! I would wait til about 6 months away for this. Also, you never know which b'maid might gain or lose weight, or decide to get pregnant!
Reply:You can send save the dates now. If a lot of people are from out of town it would be great if you send them out now so they can save up and make sure they can get off for the day.





IMO engagement parties should be hosted and organized by either the bride or grooms parents, NOT the bride and groom.
Reply:I think sending the magnets out 6 months in advance is reasonable- not now though, too soon.





You could order invitations, get all the rentals taken care of...Start looking for your dress especially (some times it takes 3 months to get them in) and the girls dresses. Get ideas for center pieces.
Reply:Booking the venues is great.





Your next step would be to set a budget for this project, if you haven't already. Along with that you need to start working on a guest list--that will probably be narrowed down as space and budget concerns creep up. Divide the guests into groups--those that MUST be invited (immediate family, close friends), those that probably should be invited (more extended family and friends that you see occasionally), and those that you'd like to invite, but if they can't be invited it's not the end of the world (co-workers, distant relatives, etc.).





Start getting ideas on dresses--you have PLENTY of time to shop, but don't dally on it. Take your time, spend time in SEVERAL shops--you don't have to go to David's Bridal and take what they have there--you have the luxury of time to shop around. You might even want to consider having something custom made.





If you know several of your guests will be travelling to your wedding--sending out a save the date would be a good idea. Even though the wedding's a year and 1/2 away--people's schedules do book up.





Congrats and good luck planning! Remember, it's supposed to be fun!
Reply:You are way ahead of the game by already signing your ceremony and reception site. You might want to sign your photographer-since the good ones get booked quick!





Other than that, I'd say, buy a bunch of bridal magazines and peruse theknot.com and just spend the next couple months gathering ideas and solidifying a vision for your special day!!





Congrats! Being engaged is SOOO exciting! Take the planning slow, and remember that it's supposed to be fun. :)
Reply:I completely understand where your coming from!! I was in your shoes a year ago!! I booked the place for ceremony, reception, looked at every thing and prices. Compare shopping in till you find what you want for the price you want. Then when you found what you want book it!!





I have every thing booked but the cake,I haven't ordered invites, oh and the bridesmaid dresses (that has been the hardest thing of all for me). I have 8 months left. I have been planing since Sept 06. The more you do know the less you have to worry about later is my motto.





Look at every magazine you can get your hands on, every web site, and local vendors, bridal shows in your area, Friends weddings, and shop around. Some one else will have what ever it is cheaper, you just have to look.
Reply:congrats, your doing good cause I'm on the same track to but I sign up at the www.perfectweddingguide.com and it gives me lists on the next steps for planning a wedding. And if you haven't found a DJ, photography and also a video I know a website that has 3 service at one company it is called www.thepros.com I found them at a wedding showcase and I just booked to save the date. Yes, you can plan an engagement party, and also look around for dresses and for you and also the bridal party, favors but the save the dates are not sent out until 8-9 months before the wedding I found that information on a wedding planner or etiquette books. If you need more information email me. I hope I'm some help because I'm a first time bride-to-be too!
Reply:Check out theknot.com They have a checklist of all the things you need to do and when to do them. Congratulations!
Reply:First off, do not send your STD magnets until you have all your locations firmly booked. I have seen hundreds of times where brides know the date they WANT and send out the STD's only to find out it changes because of budget or the spot is already booked and have to resend everything!





Basically, you can plan it all now! Have your meetings with several vendors from each category and get your basic quote. Decide on who and what you want. In fact, I think the earlier you can start the better simply because it gives you more time to watch for sales, compare prices, and if it gets too stressful you are able to say "forget the wedding" for a few days and relax with your fiancee.





The only thing you may not be able to do at this point is firmly book anywhere. Most locations will not let you make a reservation more than 12 months in advance but it never hurts to figure out you want X person so you can pounce when that time comes. :)
Reply:Congrats on your engagement! This is a really exciting time.


It looks like you have booked the most important things (date, venue).


I would get one of those checklists and go from there. You still have awhile to plan to make it all perfecto! :) Yay!
Reply:theknot.com with help you with what you need to do at one time. It is never too early to compile a guestlist- and you can even send out save the date cards. I think engagement parties are tacky- but that is just my opinion. If you want to do one, now would be the time to plan it. Congratulations and best of luck!