New to LIW...Need Advice.

Gwendolyn Posted: Dec 11, 2008 12:41 PM

New to LIW...Need Advice.

Hey Everyone!!
I have been reading the boards and everyone seems so nice and helpful I thought maybe you'd have some advice for me as well.
My Fiance and I got engaged in November and were thinking of maybe doing a 2010 wedding..but have recently decided to go for 2009....prob Aug/Sept. I am the first of my friends and the first in my family to get married. While everyone is very supportive they have no idea how to help me and I thinnk are a bit overwhelmed by the idea of wedding planning.
I was born and raised on Long Island but recently moved to TN for my fiances work. So, I'm going to be planning a weeding in NY while living in TN...and my bridesmaids/Maid of Honor live no where near me. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed to be planning a wedding(pretty much by myself) in 8 months while living states away. I know I need to book a reception site...I'll be looking at places while I'm home for X-mas...But what else should I do ASAP?
I know you all don't know me yet, but I want to Thank You in advance for any advice you may have!
Have a fabulous day! :)
-Gwen

geegee827 Posted: Dec 11, 2008 12:47 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Welcome and congratulations on your engagement Gwen!

You're right, first step is definitely the RH and ceremony site. After that, everything else really starts to fall into place. Just take it all one step at a time:

Music (dj or band)
Your dress
Photographer/Videographer
Flowers
limo's
BM dresses
Tuxes

Good luck and enjoy the planning.

coldasice217 Posted: Dec 11, 2008 12:48 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Welcome and congrats!!!

First things first, you MUST start compiling a list of potential RHs and call them to find out what their date availability is. Most places will probably be booked for August and September 09 at this point. After that and church, second most important is photo/video, then DJ, then florist, then limos. All other things like favors, stationary, etc. can be done remotely, and aren't as major to get done immediately.

Good luck!!!

FutureMrsC Posted: Dec 11, 2008 12:49 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

congrats and welcome!

I agree with the previous poster. It's best to book the most important things first, hall and ceremony location. Will you be getting married at the hall or somewhere else. Also, what kind of style are you looking for in you hall? What's you budget per plate? That way you can narrow down locations so its not too overwhelming.

Just Cindy Posted: Dec 11, 2008 12:56 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

I agree with everyone above.

First thing first is set your budget then start looking at RH's because if you dont know what you are looking to spend then you might fall in love with a place thats out of your price range. Also a preliminary list of guests will help you decide which venues you chose.

Good Luck!!!

AFutureBride Posted: Dec 11, 2008 01:04 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

def start with finding a reception hall. If you give us the price range you are looking for we can lead you in the right direction.

Ask away!

Utterhappiness Posted: Dec 11, 2008 01:07 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

the girls covered it... just wanted to say HI!! Welcome and congrats!!!

FinallyMrsB18 Posted: Dec 11, 2008 11:50 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

book your RH first and Church if you are doing a Church
find a dress and order a dress
after that everything will fall into place
i would then book
photographer
limos
dj
etc..

good luck!!!

gina409 Posted: Dec 11, 2008 11:52 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

congrats and welcome!!!! i would first fing the rh and or church of course because places can book up fast..once u get the big one out of the way i would go to photo/video cause they book up fast too..good luck and happy planning

Mikeys Meeme Posted: Dec 11, 2008 11:58 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Congrats!
You can look up reception halls on this site, it has a lot of useful info...http://www.weddingsitesandservices.com/

Hope this helps!

stefandken Posted: Dec 12, 2008 07:59 AM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

welcome and congrats!!!!

so you def should look for a hall and if your planning on getting married in a church.. those two are most important... then move onto photo/video then DJ... and also dress... those are the most important and should be done right away

Babydoll21 Posted: Dec 12, 2008 08:57 AM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Posted by Mikeys Meeme

Congrats!
You can look up reception halls on this site, it has a lot of useful info...http://www.weddingsitesandservices.com/

Hope this helps!

Totally agree- this is a great website!!
Good Luck! We are here for you if you need us!!!

ChrissyV729 Posted: Dec 12, 2008 10:29 AM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Congrats!... You'll get alot of help here so don't worry. There are a lot of people who are planning their wedding out of state. Once you get all your bigger vendors done (while your here on vacation) everything else will just fall into place. Thank goodness for the internet! So don't worry we are all here to help you so don't stress... enjoy it !!

Gracie821 Posted: Dec 12, 2008 10:36 AM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

I agree with what the other ladies said, I just wanted to say hi, and congrats on your engagement!!!!

MLAngelo Posted: Dec 12, 2008 11:32 AM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Good luck, you just have to get through the things that book up quick then you are in good shape. You might want to look for help from these ladies gathering up potential rh's to call and look at. If you tell us all what area and what you are looking for I guarantee you will get a good list.

Welcome to the boards.

Gwendolyn Posted: Dec 12, 2008 12:27 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Thank You Everyone!! :)

I'm not sure what my budget is yet, but I'd like to save money where I can(who doesn't?) And as for location. I'm getting married in the Hamptons. I would like to stay in Bridgehampton (my hometown), Sag Harbor, Southampton. But I also have places like Gurneys on my list of places to look at. I called Wolfer Vineyards, and Bridgehampton Tennis & Surf Club..and they are too expensive! My parents have friends who have a lot of beautiful property with a nice barn on it, room for tents & parking..and they have events there sometimes (wedding there this year) and they think it would be perfect...and then I would have a choice of dates(which I know won't happen with most RH) I'm still not sold on it though and really want to look at other places when I'm in NY. I'm also planning to going dress shopping while I'm there so hopefully I'll be able to nail down the Reception Site and the Dress! I have my Grandmother talking to the Church because she is very active in the Church community.
As far as the DJ/Band, Photographer, Caterer,ETC.. I have NO IDEA what to do!! I'm thinking as soon as we book a RH I should send out Save the dates? I have a feeling I'm going to be flying to NY a lot!
Thanks Again Girls!!
-Gwen

(SO happy it's Fridayy!!!)

GT143EA Posted: Dec 12, 2008 05:09 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

I agree with the other girls! Welcome and congratulations!!

melh9 Posted: Dec 16, 2008 04:57 PM

Re: New to LIW...Need Advice.

Don't know what you are looking at specifically, but most halls I have looked at in Nassau county all seemed to have dates for Fall 2009 available but almost everything for 2010 is still open. Now, I know alot of people get engaged around the holidays and start looking in January but I have had three banquet managers at different venues all say they were concerned with the lack of future bookings due to the economy. So it may be to your benefit to haggle a little more than usual