****2016 Brides**** 326 brides (and 3 grooms!) so far!

Welcome! You're not the only one at all I can't help making tiny decisions that I know don't really even need to be thought about for nearly 2 years. Totally on the same page as you when it comes to money, it just seemed much easier for us to wait a while, we're in no rush.

You're right about the time flying, I just looked at my join date, that was a year and a half ago, crazy!!

I've added you to the list, I can just change it if you book for a different date

Hi there, been engaged nearly 4 years now. Hoping to get married on 14th October 2016. Problem with marrying a farmer is they're always busy!!

Congratulations Just added you to the list!

Thanks for putting me on the list. Its the same for me with the little details, infact i know every little detail what i (or should i say we) want, just got to save and book Has anyone know which insurance is best if your booking venue more than 2 years in advance?

Thank you!! Planning is going great thanks, we've booked our venue and the registrar so the date is all set and booked! I think we're having a break from planning as it took is agessss to find the perfect venue! Getting so many ideas from here though such an amazing site! Glad I've found all you guys!

Hi all ?? hitched newbie here can you please add me to the list 26th may thank you. Looking forward to getting know everyone and making some wedding buddies ??

Morning ladies! Not sure how to quote more than one person at a time but but...

Joes wifey - I don't think we're bothering with insurance until it's been less than 2 years so I don't know names of companies or anything just yet, but I believe you can get policies that cover things that were bought before the policy started, that is probably worth looking into

KellyBrowning93 - Have just changed your name from what I understand those names happen when you log in with Facebook (I think)

Leanne1811 - I've added you now welcome! have you done much planning so far?

Hi thanks for adding me ? I've just noticed that I've put the wrong date ?? it's the 28th may not the 26th sorry, must of been asleep when I wrote that lol. We have booked the venue, photographer. Been in contact with the registrar but they won't provisionally hold the date till January next year, I've sorted my hair and make up. I keep changing my mind on colours at the min though.

Hows everyone else doing with their planning?? ????

Is it normal to feel like it's too early to be planning the details? I'm so excited that I can't stop looking at things. Venue is booked and deposit paid, I have already been dress shopping and just trying to decide between 2 I love. I have a meeting with photographer tomorrow and just waiting on the booking form from the humanist and the band. I'm just too excited that I can't not arrange! Anyone else arranging so early? Xxxx

Susanne don't worry your not the only one. If we had the money then im sure everything would be booked! I know every last detail i want..as soon as we've got the money together i will be booking everything ?

I'm really bad, think we're pretty much sorted for a lot of suppliers. Only problem is the priest won't let us finalise anything until 12 months before. ? In my defence we've fallen on some really good deals that were too good to miss. That's my excuse for been organised lol ?

I've updated your date Leanne!

I'm the same as all of you guys, I feel like it's too early and try to put off choosing things, but I can't help it! I think I've said before but I'm a bridesmaid in August so I'm using that as my restraint for the moment - concentrate on one wedding at a time! Once that's happened, it' will be less than 2 years to go and I'm sure I'll be full steam ahead

For now we have got a provisional booking at the venue, and I've contacted the church to get that booked too. I've tried on quite a few dresses already and have found that although they're all "nice", I'm very picky so I'm glad I started looking early!

I also feel like I need to relax a bit. We got engaged in October and since then I've been so excited about planning but have to keep telling myself we still have 2 1/2 years to wait. So far we have the registrar booked and will be paying the deposit on the venue soon so maybe I will try to take a break from planning, it's just too exciting though!

Thanks laurafish for that ??

I think the earlier you get thinks planned and in place gives you more time to enjoy it and take the stress out of the final few weeks ??

We ae exactly the same, got engaged in October and have pretty much sorted the main chunk of it all already. I was thinking I would like some time to enjoy being engaged if that makes sense. My OH came up with an idea that next month, for the whole month we will not talk about the wedding or anything to do with it and if either one of us does we have to put £1 in the savings jar and that will only give you up to 5 minutes (unless anything major happens like (going positive here) we win something wedding realted then it's no penalty). He came up with the idea as everytime he bumps into someone they always ask him how the planning is coming and that's all hes had since October. It's funny, i very rarely get asked lol. The whole month off thing is a bit of fun, and you never know we might end up saving a few quid too ?

I love that idea jen-lou! My OH will manage that no problem, but I imagine I would be a good few quid down by the end of the month! I will suggest it to him, thanks :-)

Te he he, no worries, I'm actually looking forward to it. it'll be a laugh if nothing else ?

I love that idea too! I bet you will be on here even more to make up for not being able to talk about it out loud

Also agreed Leanne, I'm hoping the wait will make it all less stressful in the long run!

We actually got engaged in November 2012 so although it's already been ages, at the same time it's completely flown by!

Congrats xMrsC2Bex , exciting!

Well my bridesmaid boxes are ready & it's my turn to 'pop the question' to them this weekend, eeeek, very excited! xxx

What are you doing for your bridesmaid box? I really like this idea but I think I am just going to write out a card I've bought already, i'll leave it until nearer the wedding to get them proper presents. Although you're making me feel like a bad bride!

An idea from Pinterest, I've had wooden boxes pained, cream, each with the bridesmaids initial on the lid and inside painted in sage with lavender wording 'will you be my bridesmaid?' in a nice fancy font, inside them is a miniature of their favourite alcohol Gin, Malibu & Baileys respectively, some cards explaining their roll, our day, etc etc, a photo from the Bridesmaids movie photoshopped with our faces on (my favourite thing in the box!!) & some chocolate, filled out and made to look pretty with tissue paper, I'll do a flash once I've given them out. Eeek.

xx

Ooh can I be added to the list please!!

Our date is 20th May 2016! So excited!!

We got engaged last September and we looked at our venue in the October. We knew then that it was the one for us but we waited until January to book it as we needed to save the deposit over Xmas. As it turned out booking in January saved us a lot of money as they had an offer on for 2015 weddings for a 20% reduction for Jan and Feb weddings but it gave us the haggling power to get a 15% discount for our March 2016 wedding. We have also booked our photographer and the venue decoration company at 2014 prices. I have contacted a few suppliers who have been a bit distant which has tainted the wedding planning experience, as they have said we are too early and they have been quite rude and dismissive and told us to come back when we are more serious. I can't wait until the summer holidays to go dress shopping with my mum. Hopefully, with 18-19 months to go we will get a better reaction from suppliers!

It's so nice to hear of other 2016 brides and I can't wait to here more of everyone's plans xxx

Actually its funny you've said that about suppliers telling you to come back later. I have emailed a couple of photographers and they have both said it definitely isn't too early to book, in fact we may be meeting one soon which could lead to a booking (so much for taking a break from planning!)

However dress shops I have had mixed reactions, it was my MOH who wants to start looking this early, I have already booked and then cancelled one appointment because the owner, having found out my date, quite rudely said I should go back when I'm buying 'seriously.' Another one has been much nicer and have said its never to early to start getting ideas of styles etc.

I've had the same experience with a dress shop near me she was very snotty and said it was way to early to start looking ?? they do suit hire in the same place and the bloke running that side couldn't of been more helpful, going into depth with all the different options and prices with us. Think I will use them for suits but the dress side will defiantly not be getting my business.

Im having trouble on deciding a colour scheme though has anyone decided on there's yet?? I'm liking lavender and aqua at the minute but I'm not sure what do you all think x

☹️ That's rubbish.

I heard this a lot from some of the other 2015 brides back when we all first started planning too and it still doesn't make sense to me. Even if they're not accepting bookings at this time (for whatever reason) it doesn't cost anything to be nice and stay in contact.

I know loads of suppliers already booking well into 2016, so ignore the meanies and take your business elsewhere. It's their loss ?

Yeah we have had the same reaction in terms of taking our business elsewhere. Our photographer and venue decorator were lovely. So far it's just the cake maker who has been a bit snotty, and I wasn't even trying to book her I was just asking what a reasonable time frame for booking a cake was and if she would be at any wedding fayres later on in the year.

I understand it might seem a bit keen to some suppliers who want to fill their diaries for next year, but it's still the future of their business so they should be flattered people want to book them. Luckily my OH is keen on helping me organise aspects of the wedding so I can keep my exicitement going with him. My ticker says I am 2 years 25 days away so hopefully things will pick up once we break that barrier!

I'm glad I am not the only 2016 bride about, it means we can all get excited together!

So far I am thinking mint and peach wedding theme as most of my pins on pinterest suggest that those are the colours I seem to be drawn to! xx

I'm having ongoing issues with colour as I just can't decide and not really sure which colours go together well. If my OH wants a grey suit does this mean grey is part of the colour scheme? Really confused.com!

Morning ladies!

Everlong2013 - added you now

I have definitely had the same problem with being told it was too early and to come back in a year or two. We had it with a couple of venues who instead of trying to help just said no there were no prices and that was it. I've also had it when trying on dresses but I'm learning that I need plenty of time to find something I'm happy with, so I'm not too bothered about those comments.

Leanne - colour scheme wise I struggled for quite a while but I think we've settled now. I've always pictured my bridesmaids in navy but as it's a summer wedding and in a barn, we're adding in lighter colours. In short, any shade on the blue-green spectrum, including pale purples as I think that will be easier than blue for flowers. Then added neutrals for things that I don't want in colour. So quite a lot of colours! For the wedding I'm bridesmaid at in August, there are 5 different colours which are very specific shades and it's been a bit of trouble finding the exact shades, so I'm trying to avoid that!

IGBMN - I think my OH is wearing grey but I'm not counting it as part of the colour scheme, if that helps. I think it's hard to get grey to clash with anything, so I don't think it would ever look out of place

I've had a bit of a disappointment this morning Emailed our vicar yesterday to get a booking made (back in November 2012 when I got in touch, we were told to wait until early 2014. I waited until now so as not to seem like I was pestering the second it turned 2014 - mistake number one) and was told that for our date someone has already booked for 2pm So we were offered 12 or 4, pretty sure we are going to go with 12 as 4 is too late, but that date is significant to us. I'm going to make a separate thread for experiences on 12pm weddings as I'm a little nervous, mum said it was "a bit early"... In 2012 when I contacted, she offered for us to make a provisional booking and I was so stupid and didn't say yes - mistake number two! I think I felt like I was being way too keen so I made something up about us not being sure on the exact date yet. I am an idiot Sorry for the ramble just needed to get it out! I'm so disappointed, I really didn't think someone would have booked that date in our church so far in advance

Laurafish- I know you are disappointed but honestly I have been to loads of weddings that are earlier (one was 11am) and if anything they are better as you have more time to enjoy the day. As a guest I have never got bored or felt like the ceremony was too early. The only slight negative would be that I'm usually starving by the time it gets yo the wedding breakfast but I have learned from the experience and tend to have a big breakfast on wedding days now.

We had a similar problem with our ceremony. The restaurant we are booking out for the wedding breakfast needs us to leave at 5pm so they can turn the room round and open the restaurant to the public again for the evening sitting. When I first contacted the registrar they would only do 2pm or 3:30pm ceremony! Luckily my wedding planner at our venue rang the registrar and negotiated a 1pm ceremony. To be honest I'm still thinking it will be a little rushed to squeeze in the ceremony, reception drinks, photos, wedding breakfast and speeches in just 4 hours but my wedding planner has said it will be fine. I'm thinking if we are pushed for time we could always have the speeches in the room where we are for the evening, what do you all think about this? It would basically mean having all the speeches after everyone has eaten, do you think it will be too much in one go?

I don't think it's too much! I know it's more popular now to have speeches before or spread out during the meal, but every wedding I've been to has had all the speeches after the meal and it's been fine. I think it's a nice way to end the meal and start the evening

12 pm wedding are absolutely fine, promise!

We've shot lots of them- I think aside from one, all of the ones we've shot at 12 have been church ceremonies.

The only thing i'd say is to make sure your guests are fed and watered as a 12pm ceremony probably means guests will have skipped lunch. So i'd recommend either have an earyish meal, providing canapes/snacks or be clear on invites for guests to make sure they have eaten before the ceremony ?

As long as people have been given something to eat and drink they're usually happy!