How do I get Started???

[rissy]

Well it seems alittle premature of me but I'm an organisation freak... I'm not getting married til April 2007 which seems a long way off but since the engagement I'm just so thrilled I want to start the ball rolling...
I'm not getting much support from family or friends (very jealous I think) and my fiance is in the army and we wont have alot of time together leading up to the wedding. So basically I feel like I'm going to be going at it alone...:frown:
Everything I've read says to book a reception, photographer, music and caterer 12 to 18 months prior to the big day. Is this true??? I haven't even decided on an out door or indoor wedding, I want a church ceremony but I'm stumped about the rest. My partner and I have to stick to a tight buget and I'm worried that if I choose a reception venue I'll end up changing my mind, not pleasing everyone or missing out on some great deal somewhere else... It's alot to think about when you have no one to discuss it with. Please does anyone have any advice on where to start?

RISS

[Kacie_bride]

My wedding is in December of this year and I started planning in January. The first thing I did was book a site because December is a busy month for things going on. If I were you I would defiantely start looking because I think April is a pretty busy wedding month. If I were you I would look for a couple of months and then decide around April/May.

[WebLady]

Welcome to the board and congrats on your engagement :D

In your case since the wedding is over a year away, I would just start looking for ideas and search for info on vendors and and places you would like to use. I wouldn't recommend booking anything more than a year in advance. Once you do start booking stuff I would start with the location.

:goodluck:

[rissy]

Thankyou Ladies,

I have been on the right tract then. One more question:

how far is too far to travel between church and reception?

I have a beautiful stone church on a hill picked out but a reception house an hours drive away. Both are just perfect but I can't decide which one means more to me.

[KMac]

Hey Rissy,
Welcome to the boards and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

I agree with web lady. First start thinking of ideas, colours, themes that you think that you may want to have for your big day. I would definitely research a venue first before you jump in and book. Like you said, you could change your mind. But I think you have a little time before you have to book this.

Even though your wedding isn't until April 2007, it seems like a long time away, but time will fly. Do you have any colours picked out? A theme? We love details.
Let us know if you need anything. Everyone on this site is very creative and knowledgable.

Congratulations again! :bblol:
KMac

[Kacie_bride]

A stone church sounds very pretty. I think an hours drive is a little much. At every wedding I've ever been to the reception site hasn't been more than a 15 minute drive max. There isen't anything closer to the stone church that would work?

[Jenn060306]

Hi... Welcome!
Start with talking to your FH about what you both have in mind. What your wish list is.... live music? outdoor ceramony? This way you will have a good idea of what is important to him while he's away and you're planning on your own.
This message board is great for getting ideas and help with planning. There are lots of time-lines floating arround the internet to help guide you with planning. Booking you're reception site is good to do early on because you will have more choice in the date. Getting to close you will have to compete with the sites already being booked. I booked in November if 2004 for my June 2006 wedding. Never to early :)
Good Luck! Keep us posted on how things are going!

[bnd94]

Welcome to Onewed! :D

It is never too soon to plan in my opinion. I think it helps to reduce your stress level if you give yourself more time to plan.

I agree with Kacie, an hour probably is a little too far. I think a half hour is reasonable. But I am sure guests will travel the hour if that is what you decide.

[WebLady]

To me I think an hour away is a bit much to ask people to travel from ceremony to reception, I wouldn't want to go more than 20 mins away. maybe 30. Think about people that will already have to travel to the ceremony site, then more on top of that. In my experience when the locations are far apart you loose people in between. (but that might say you some money ;)) It can also difficult for some of your vendors that may have to re-set.

If I was invited to a wedding and the reception was an hour away, I would probably not go to the reception. But I guess you could ask around your family and friends and see what they think.

:goodluck:

[CindySue]

To me I think an hour away is a bit much to ask people to travel from ceremony to reception, I wouldn't want to go more than 20 mins away. maybe 30. Think about people that will already have to travel to the ceremony site, then more on top of that. In my experience when the locations are far apart you loose people in between. (but that might say you some money ;)) It can also difficult for some of your vendors that may have to re-set.

If I was invited to a wedding and the reception was an hour away, I would probably not go to the reception. But I guess you could ask around your family and friends and see what they think.

:goodluck:

I agree.....thats a pretty long drive from point A to B. My house (where we are having the reception) is 10 minutes from the lake where we are having the ceremony.
Which place would be the easiest to have both?

[officiant-fica]

Congratulations on your engagement!! MY DH and I were engaged for 18 months before our actual wedding and I (bieng too organized LOL) started planing on the day after he proposed. I agree with everyone that an hour drive is too much to expect from your guests. I think you will find that some will only make it to to the ceremony OR the reception, but not both. If you have your heart set on the church I would try to find a reception venue closer to the church, or visa versa. At any rate best wishes with the planning and keep us updated!