How soon is too soon to start looking into and booking vendors? I know I spoke to some photographers, and they were not even discussing 2009, let alone the possible 2010 date our finances would dictate. I met one of the women from Pedestals at Fortunoff (she gave me a centerpiece to take home ) and she said if you book now you lock in the prices for this year.
Any advice? I dont know if I want to start looking into things and booking now, or just get an idea of our budget.
Thanks :)
jenjenr
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Re: how soon is too soon
It's def a good idea to inquire so as to get a ball park figure for your budget.... Booking for 2010 might be difficult as many will be hesistant to lock in a price with over 3 yrs to go.. Price usually go up on avarage about 10-15% I think...so you will def know about how much stuff will be.. Also, booking now means leaving a deposit and who know where that business will be in 3 yrs... I think you can def look into a catering hall as that will be the biggest item $$$...Just my opinion
Good luck with everything and congrats!
Kara and Todd
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Re: how soon is too soon
Well, I guess the first thing would be to find out if you can even book your RH / ceremony this early. You can't book any other vendors before you book your hall, so I'd make that the first priority.
I think 4 years is probably too soon to book a lot of vendors - your tastes may change or you might find someone else you like better... but I guess it's all up to you. I'd not be so worried about photographers and DJs, for example, right now b/c you don't have a set date. Most vendors won't book you without a RH contract / set date.
HTH
eternitybride
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Re: how soon is too soon
we've talked about two dates, but it all depends on finances. I finish Law school next year, and he starts graduate school as soon as he finishes his bachelors, that is playing into our timeline a large deal. We know we want January, hoping to go from there. Thanks
nifheim
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Re: how soon is too soon
Shop around and lie about your date bring into the 08/09 and say undecided about a day/month just name a general month you like. See the places, get info, even do a tasting if you like.
Its really to early i think for 2010 to really book/plan anything. You can certainaly do research.
eternitybride
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Re: how soon is too soon
Thats what I thought, its more of getting a general Idea now, but the lady I spoke to at the expo said it would be in our best interests to book now to lock in the price, which seemed a little odd.
HelenZ
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Re: how soon is too soon
I would definitely say to wait, mainly because your looking at January......which is not a super popular month. If I were you I think I would start booking things maybe by the middle of 2007 (or even later depending which year your getting married). Like someone else said, you never know what could happen to a company in 3-4 years. You might book a photographer based on their great reputation and then in that timeframe their main photographer could leave or something substantial could happen to the company. It's just a large amount of time, you might cause yourself more stress if your locked into a contract that you no longer want to be in.
you can always read up on vendors on LIW, take good notes and when your ready, you'll have all the information you need. good luck!!
jenn122397
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Re: how soon is too soon
MI was engaged December 05 and by February 06 (2 months later) i already had my church, hall and photographer booked. These days, you can never do anything too early, a few halls i went to were actually booked 2 years in advance! I just finished booking my last vendor last week. I like to be prepared and have things done with
nylisa
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Re: how soon is too soon
I booked all my vendors in Feb 2002 for my Sept 2004 wedding and I was able to lock everything at 2002 prices.
MattandTricia07
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Re: how soon is too soon
We booked our hall 2 years in advance as well so maybe if you wait until the new year then you could start booking things for your 09 event. Good luck!!
AlmostMrsKelly
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Re: how soon is too soon
i would say to book the hall as soon as you figure out your date, as long as the hall will let you book that far in advance. everything else, i'd say 1 1/2-2years in advance would be plenty. we book our hall a year in advance and all our vendors around 8-10 months in advance without a problem
SoontobeMrsH
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Re: how soon is too soon
I think it may be too soon. Last Dec. after FH & I got engaged and I called RH I got angry b/c some people made comments about getting married in 08 & it being soo far away
