Erm...

[RoRo]

Hey everyone! I'm set to be married in April and I'm just starting to think about the wedding, but I just have NO idea where to start. Any suggestions?

[WebLady]

Start trying to figure out a budget and get ideas of what you want. Look at magazines and wedding websites (like onewed.com (http://www.onewed.com) ;)) to get some ideas/inspiration.

Personally, after you set the date and work out a budget, I would figure out how many guests you might end up with, so you can book the venue first.

I think there is a time line checklist around here somewhere too ...

Edit: Here ya go -

12+ Months Prior

� Order and get the rings fitted
� Set the date
Set a budget
Decide on theme of ceremony & reception
(formal or casual, dance party or dinner party, etc...)
� Choose Officiate
� Consider premarital counseling
� Talk to a bridal consultant
� Choose colors
� Compile guest lists
� Choose attendants
� Go dress shopping
� Attend local bridal shows
� Start shopping vendors

9-12 Months Prior

� Book ceremony & reception site
Order gowns
� Book Photographer
� Book Videographer
� Book DJ/Musicians
� Book Caterer & Baker
� Book Florist
� Send out "Save the date cards"
� Make arrangements for time off work
(don't forget a few days before the wedding and a few days
after the honeymoon ... you may also need to take time
off to meet with your photographer to see your wedding pictures!)

6-8 Months Prior

� Book wedding day hair & make up person
� Have "Engagement Photos" taken
� Send engagement announcement to local paper
(with an "Engagement Photo")
� Order Invitations and Thank You cards
� Set up Gift Registry
� Decide on guest favors
� Order Tuxedos
� Book Limo service for wedding day
� Book Honeymoon plans
� Start up personal wedding website

4-6 Months Prior

� Mail Invitations with RSVP cards
� Get Marriage License
� Attend bridal showers
� Order guest favors
� Plan Rehearsal
� Final dress fittings
� Do test hair & make up
� Have pre-bridal portraits made
� Order Thank You cards
� Coordinate guest lodging
� Keep up with RSVP's

2-4 Weeks Prior

� Confirm travel plans
� Keep up with final RSVP's
� Finalize details with all vendors
� Do final dress fitting
� Have dresses steamed
� Have a "girls day out"
� Relax!

[Spin2010]

It's a good idea to begin getting prices for your vendors, you definitely don't want to rush around at the last minute. See what each one offers, compare prices and meet with them and take LOTS of notes!

[ChristineLS]

Let's see. From now to April is *whips out fingers* 8 months. OK.

First, I'd figure out your budget.

Then I'd figure out how many people you want.

That can set the tone for the level of formality.

Then I'd figure out where you're going to do it (large budget + few people = extravagant wedding, small budget + lots of people, frugal wedding).

Also because places can be hard to reserve ahead of time. People do it like 2 years in advance, but generally one year. So you might struggle a little bit (but just a little bit).

Will this be a religious ceremony? I know Catholics require Pre-cana about six months, your faith may have other restrictions. Or lack of faith might render it moot. It's all cool.

I'd say the only MUST-HAVES in a wedding ceremony are:

1. Future Spouse
2. Officiant
3. People You Want There

Everything else is a detail. Because with those, the food, the decorations, the plot of Earth you choose to do it... all details. And if you can keep that in mind, you'll spare yourself some stress.

[RoRo]

Let's see. From now to April is *whips out fingers* 8 months. OK.

First, I'd figure out your budget.

Then I'd figure out how many people you want.

That can set the tone for the level of formality.

Then I'd figure out where you're going to do it (large budget + few people = extravagant wedding, small budget + lots of people, frugal wedding).

Also because places can be hard to reserve ahead of time. People do it like 2 years in advance, but generally one year. So you might struggle a little bit (but just a little bit).

Will this be a religious ceremony? I know Catholics require Pre-cana about six months, your faith may have other restrictions. Or lack of faith might render it moot. It's all cool.

I'd say the only MUST-HAVES in a wedding ceremony are:

1. Future Spouse
2. Officiant
3. People You Want There

Everything else is a detail. Because with those, the food, the decorations, the plot of Earth you choose to do it... all details. And if you can keep that in mind, you'll spare yourself some stress.

-We think we know our budget...

-We have about 200 people coming

-I'm glad you brought up venues because that's something I'm definitely worried about because I called a few places and they don't have enough capacity for our guests. So I'm not too sure what to do about that. *sigh*

-The silly thing is -he's Lutheran and I'm Catholic. We're getting married in a Catholic cathedral under a Lutheran pastor. It's very silly. But we do have to do some pre-marital counseling, that we're gonna start when my fianc� gets back, and I have to take some classes because I'm switching to his religion...

-My friends tell me that I have 8 months to get everything figured out so I shouldn't be worried, but when I sit here and think about everything that needs to get done, wedding related and not wedding related, I get very anxious.

-I was mulling over the idea of getting a wedding planner, and I think it's something I'm gonna end up doing...

[ChristineLS]

-We think we know our budget...

-We have about 200 people coming

-I'm glad you brought up venues because that's something I'm definitely worried about because I called a few places and they don't have enough capacity for our guests. So I'm not too sure what to do about that. *sigh*

-The silly thing is -he's Lutheran and I'm Catholic. We're getting married in a Catholic cathedral under a Lutheran pastor. It's very silly. But we do have to do some pre-marital counseling, that we're gonna start when my fianc� gets back, and I have to take some classes because I'm switching to his religion...

-My friends tell me that I have 8 months to get everything figured out so I shouldn't be worried, but when I sit here and think about everything that needs to get done, wedding related and not wedding related, I get very anxious.

-I was mulling over the idea of getting a wedding planner, and I think it's something I'm gonna end up doing...

I have a friend (in real life) who planned a wedding, and a fancy one, in 17 days. Her husband was getting deployed. So trust me, you can do it :)

I'm under the impression that you don't have to be Lutheran to be married in a Lutheran ceremony as long as your partner is (same with Catholics). At least, from what a friend who comes from a Catholic/Lutheran union said. But I'd certainly call the minister to find out the details on that, and it might be a good idea to call your partner to find out general availability to schedule the classes now, just in case they end up being something in high demand.

Why do you say the religious end is "silly"?

You can do a wedding planner, you could also get a wedding planning book. I went to my library to find some. For what I did they were less useful, but some people get a lot out of them.

For venues... keep calling. Are you in a city, suburb, or more rural area? Tried Masonic lodges or firehalls?

[RoRo]

Start trying to figure out a budget and get ideas of what you want. Look at magazines and wedding websites (like onewed.com (http://www.onewed.com) ;)) to get some ideas/inspiration.

Personally, after you set the date and work out a budget, I would figure out how many guests you might end up with, so you can book the venue first.

I think there is a time line checklist around here somewhere too ...

Edit: Here ya go -

12+ Months Prior

� Order and get the rings fitted
� Set the date
Set a budget
Decide on theme of ceremony & reception
(formal or casual, dance party or dinner party, etc...)
� Choose Officiate
� Consider premarital counseling
� Talk to a bridal consultant
� Choose colors
� Compile guest lists
� Choose attendants
� Go dress shopping
� Attend local bridal shows
� Start shopping vendors

9-12 Months Prior

� Book ceremony & reception site
Order gowns
� Book Photographer
� Book Videographer
� Book DJ/Musicians
� Book Caterer & Baker
� Book Florist
� Send out "Save the date cards"
� Make arrangements for time off work
(don't forget a few days before the wedding and a few days
after the honeymoon ... you may also need to take time
off to meet with your photographer to see your wedding pictures!)

6-8 Months Prior

� Book wedding day hair & make up person
� Have "Engagement Photos" taken
� Send engagement announcement to local paper
(with an "Engagement Photo")
� Order Invitations and Thank You cards
� Set up Gift Registry
� Decide on guest favors
� Order Tuxedos
� Book Limo service for wedding day
� Book Honeymoon plans
� Start up personal wedding website

4-6 Months Prior

� Mail Invitations with RSVP cards
� Get Marriage License
� Attend bridal showers
� Order guest favors
� Plan Rehearsal
� Final dress fittings
� Do test hair & make up
� Have pre-bridal portraits made
� Order Thank You cards
� Coordinate guest lodging
� Keep up with RSVP's

2-4 Weeks Prior

� Confirm travel plans
� Keep up with final RSVP's
� Finalize details with all vendors
� Do final dress fitting
� Have dresses steamed
� Have a "girls day out"
� Relax!

That's what I needed! Haha, thank you!! I really wish I would have started panning 4 months ago though. Oh well, time to start condensing! :D

[f77g4]

Timelines are just there for guidance - depending on your area will determine when things need to get done.

Once your budget is figured out and a possible guest list, I think the most important thing to figure out is the vendors. I had difficulty getting a photographer at 14 months out from my wedding. Get a venue, photographer, caterer, etc. as soon as you can.

Then I think you should start dress shopping as it can take quite a while to get your dress unless you buy off the rack (which no problem with and it's what I did).

After the major things are looked after, you can just work away at the rest.

[CaseyK37]

I agree. I would figure out your venues asap. We planned our wedding in about 11 months and that was one of the first things we did. We booked them before even having a date in mind - we just went off of what was available at that time since it was the summer and there weren't many dates available.

Then I would book a photographer and officiant and figure out the bigger details. The little details can wait a while! Good luck.