Planning too far ahead?

It's not too early! I suggest reaching out to vendors and asking if they're booking 2024 yet. They may tell you not yet, but if they are, go ahead and start with a budget and choose your venue! You should draft a guest list now so you can tell vendors roughly how many people you expect, but know that number will shift in two years as some people get married and others may not be in your life anymore. Other vendors may be harder to look for this early. For example, I wouldn't shop for a dress yet since your body can change a lot in two years. Cakes are usually done later in the process too, maybe 4–6 months ahead. Good luck!

I’d say with vendors buy sooner then later. You can pay 2022 prices for your 2024 wedding. Only one you may want to wait on is the dress, depending if your style fluctuates or your weight fluctuates. My weight fluctuates by 15 pounds so I’ve been hesitant with alterations. 😊

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I didn't even think about weight fluctuations before buying my dress.

Congrats girlie! My fiancé proposed last year, and we are getting marred next year, so our engagement would be a 2 year as well. What helped me not become anxious was to look at the check list provided on WeddingWire, under the planning tab.

I highly recommend a checklist because it keep you on track for what you need to be focusing on at that moment. You don't want to start doing a lot of things when it's a 2-year engagement, so the check list will guide you, so to speak. You also don't want to get your hopes up for certain things and it don't be like that closer to your wedding day. What I mean by that is, menus change all the time, date fees change all the time, venue prices change all the time, and your idea of your "perfect" wedding can change. When I teel you that I went from a rustic wedding to an all-inclusive wedding, and now officially going to be having a destination wedding within a year, I wouldn't be lying to you. So, I know you are excited, but keep those things in mind. Right now, is the time to look into things like an engagement party, taking engagement photos, learning what type of dress would be fit you, and really learning your budget and things you really want or need at your wedding. Small stuff right now, don't stress to much over it.

I hope this helps and good luck!!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! Congratulations as well! That's a good idea! I'll focus on the engagement part!

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You're welcome!

Definitely not too early to book the venue! My wedding is in fall of 2024, and fall in TN tends to book fast because of the weather. Honestly, I've already booked venue, catering, hair&makeup, bar tender, officiant, DJ, wedding coordinator, dress, and baker. I know exactly how much everything will be, and can start paying for it now. The bills are more spaced out, and I find it way less stressful

View Quoted Comment That's exactly what I was thinking. I want to have plenty of time to pay everything out

We just started planning this year in Feb for April 2023 which I think it's plenty of time as of now I have all my vendors booked. Alit of them had stated due to covid dates are filling up quick

I'd say start booking now. I booked my venue 3 years in advance and my caterer 2 years in advance. Both already had bookings for 2023. Other vendors told me last year that they're already booked for my date. Granted, October is now a popular month for weddings.

Same! We are paying for our wedding so... we actually saw our venue and booked our date which also allowed us a payment plan. We also booked the photographer with a payment plan. That helps us to save and take care of things with ease, to get everything we want

Definitely not too early to book the big stuff (venue, major vendors such as DJ/Photographer etc). I started looking at venues last December for this December, and I had several places tell me they didn't have a single date available for 2022, let alone one in December! Because of Covid, so many things have been pushed, so people are grabbing where they can. Lots of vendors book years in advance (even more so because of Covid delays) and you can put down deposits to keep your vendors, even 2 years out. Stuff like food, your dress, your wedding party, cake, etc. I would wait. Your taste, your size, your friendships etc can change drastically in 2 years. But the big things, its absolutely not too late for!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

Just to echo Orianna, book your venue now! Especially if you want a popular day or month, ie Saturday. I live near Orlando and when I booked my Feb 2023 wedding this past October, all Saturdays in March and 3 out of 4 in February were already gone at 16 months out. (Those are popular months here due to nice weather and not too hot.) Right now you have the luxury of first choice. (Depending on when you want to get married in 2024.)

I say start booking vendors but highly advise to not pick your dress yet I got engaged July 4th 2020 and started to plan my wedding is next month, in November 2020 I bought my dress and regretted it it’s a lovely dress but it’s not my dress I bought my dress in March of last year and I love them

We started in 2020 for 2022 and I do not regret it. Our venue and photographer booked out with us. Catering booked out at a year. Because of Covid, weddings were really backed up so this way we got everything on the dates we wanted. I checked in at year and again at six months and now again about two months. We also saved several thousand dollars with places who booked in advance because with inflation everyone went up! I say, if your vendors are willing to work with you two years ahead, do it.

OH, and yes to the payment plans mentioned above. Two years means we have no debt because everything is on a payment plan!

I am also getting married in 2024! I definitely am feeling the same way, but it is helping my partner and I a lot by having our general budget outlined right now with our ideas for venue, catering, etc outlined so far!

View Quoted Comment That's a good point. I've been researching that April is pretty popular in Texas for weddings so I am gonna go ahead and book my venue so I can get it paid off before the wedding.