when my big day is 2 years from now?
My Banquet Manager said a year before, but don't prices go up after the new year?
I am trying to be as cost effective as possible.
Thanks for the suggestions.
It is never too soon to begin the research. You can learn a tremendous amount about vendors on this board with the search engine. I think I'd be wary about booking more than a 14 months in advance. That the company would go out of business, people that I hired specifically might leave the company and so on. NEVER too soon to get that hall though!!!!! Good luck
I booked my hall in Feb. 2001 for a Sept. 2002 wedding and I got a really good deal. If you book early, most places will give you that year's prices instead of the upcoming year's rates. As far as most of the vendors, I don't think I saved much by booking early - Maybe a little bit on the photographer. We booked them last April. The only thing I regret is buying the dress early - I ended up buying a second one that I really loved because I didn't really like the first dress and was rushed into purchasing it (by pushy bridal salon sales ladies). Good luck and have fun!
We already booked the hall now its all the others to follow I guess. I am going to visit Wedding Plaza in Baldwin (I have heard mixed reviews here of the one in Commack) are these all owned by Bob?
as soon as we got engaged which was 18 months until the wedding. We first booked the Country Club, then the DJ, and then around 15 months in advance we booked the Photographer, Videographer, church and then around 8 months in advance we booked the limos, florist, BM's dresses, tuxedos, etc. And with less than 5 months left, we're working on Save-the-date magnets, Invitations, favors, shoes, Rehearsal Dinner, etc.... the detailed stuff. But, this isn't always how it's done. We live in NC and we're limited to trips to LI. Definitely start researching, and I would book the photographer, videographer and DJ next. At 18 months in advance, which was Feb. 2001 most of the dates in 2002, May-August were already booked. I'm really glad we booked things in advance because we got every vendor we wanted! That's definitely a plus. Good luck!
Thanks Melissa
I didn't know where to begin!
My mom thinks I am nuts to begin early but since I start classes in the summer after that I won't have much time to wedding plan.
You got the church so quickly. I am having a hard time getting my priest on the phone let alone book it!
Anyone have suggestions on this?
I have a hard time getting in touch with our priest also. They're so busy!!! When you call, does the receptionist tell you when to call back, so you can catch him? I'm going to have to call again really soon, so we can book the ceremony rehearsal. I hate talking to the priest. I get so nervous, and then I feel like I sounded like an idiot on the phone. How about you?
I actually spoke to my priest this morning. I am so glad because I started worrying...
He mentioned that we will talk and fill out paperwork and then he will see if he can give us a date. What does that mean?? Now I am worried he won't let us get married even though I am part of the parish and attend mass every now and then.
We are meeting with him on Saturday but now I am worried...
My FI was really nervous when we had to go. I am being married by a deacon at St. Margarets. We went in, the deacon asked us about ourselves - just some basic 'tell me about yourself' kind of stuff.' We talked about when we were looking to get married and whether we wanted a full mass. We did, what I think is called. a FOCUS. He spoke with us each individually and asked us if we had ever been married, if we were married to someone, if we were entering into this marriage of our own free will - some of it was pretty stupid! We picked a day and time, we got some paperwork regarding the procedures the church needs to go through. My FI was told he needed to get a copy of his baptismal certificate from the church he was baptized in. It was simple and pretty quick. We had separate addresses at the time (we're moving in together in two weeks - yay!) so living together was not an issue. If I remember correctly, it is not an issue for you yet either. That is all I remember about it.
There are bigger things to stress out about at this stage, this is not one of them!!!
Becky
Our priest told us he'll put us down for that date, but said he'll have to meet with us before it's definite. I think he just wants to meet the two of you, and make sure you both really want to get married, and of course of your own free will, etc. Personally, I feel that it was to see if he liked us or not. :) It doesn't mean anything... don't worry!
My advice to you is book the vendors as soon as you have your date and ceremonial site booked.
I started booking vendors 2+ years in advance and I was able to get 'today's' prices as opposed to next year's prices.
Once I booked the church and hall, I took a breather before booking the photographer. I waited a few months after that and booked the DJ. I'm done for now, until the summer. Then it's onto dresses, florists and limos.
Good luck!
Karen
