I have a *few* (read *many*) questions...

The only thing of the above which we have booked as yet is our photographer so i'll try to help on that front!

We probably contacted about 7 in all- that I remember

2 never replied, 1 we got a generic template type reply from so immediately decided against pursuing that, 1 massively increased their price after finding out we were wedding photographers-coincidence or not I don't know, 1 we found a bit naggy and desperate and we met with the other 2.

It's not essential to meet prior to booking, but you should definitely try to build some kind of relationship, even if it's just by email to get a sense of who they are, their personality and whether or not you think you'd get on with them. If you're shy just chatting to them, bear in mind you're going to be sharing some pretty personal moments with them on the day of your wedding- best to get a sense of them ahead of time maybe? There's no need to be shy though (easier said than done, and totally hypocritical coming from me, who got all gooey eyed and "starstruck" meeting the TOGs we met with)

In terms of what to ask- ask to see some full galleries, so you can make sure you like their work and that it is consistent. We found that a couple of the ones we contacted initially had great website images but really naff full galleries so we never bothered meeting them.

I would recommend having some idea before you go and meet with them, either specific types or styles, and definitely an idea of budget, It helps if you've already planned a few other aspects of your day, such as dresses and suits too so you already have a sense of colour scheme and style. Even just taking a few pictures along of stuff you like would help, otherwise the florist is more likely to come up with what they consider to be nice which might not be the same as your tastes

Photographers: I contacted about 5 or 6 and met with two. I would suggest meeting them if you can.

Cakes: My mam made mine but before I knew she was doing that we contacted for prices based on a particular flavour. If we'd have chosen a quote we'd have gone with, I would have requested a sample if possible.

Invitations: I would send save the dates to day guests soon. I would only send save the evenings to evening guests, definitely not save the dates. If you can't find any then I would just send them their evening invitation when the time comes.

Florist: I really wasn't bothered as long as they looked nice. I used a florist that my friend used but never met her. I just sent an idea of how many bouquets etc I needed, told her I only wanted whites/creams and greenery and she came back with a quote.

For fresh flowers, this is a very helpful website which gives all the flowers which are in season (i.e., readily available) by month.

http://www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/flowers-by-month/

Another thing worth mentioning is that only a limited variety of fresh flowers actually have a scent - these tend to be the ones that cause the most allergies such as oriental lilies. Your florist will have a portfolio that you can view and will also be able to let you know what's available and offer guidance to which flowers go well together.

Photographers: We contacted a few and then felt like the more we looked, the more lost we were getting! So we looked again at the photos that were on the websites and arranged to meet with our favourite - we loved her and confirmed with her by the time she got home! Meeting isn't essential, but I would say that (especially if you're shy) you might feel better on the day if you've already met. Our TOG just came along to our house and we had a coffee and a chat in the kitchen. We asked about things like the package that she was offering, what sort of photos she enjoyed taking and whether or not the images ere full res. We also asked to see some full weddings.

Wedding cake: I love cake and so this was probably what I spent the most time researching. Plus there was no way that I (or OH...or my sister!) were going to miss out on free cake testing! Unfortunately we loved the first cake maker that we met and so we didn't get to taste that much ☹️ But then what we did taste was spot on!

Invitations: I wouldn't have thought that January was too early to send out invites at all, but if you're going to do Save the Dates I'd agree with what you said and only send them to the evening guests if you can make it clear that it;s just for the evening do.

Florists: I'm a bit clueless here too so haven't met with a florist yet. I have spent a lot of time looking around Pinterest though of course and I'm starting to get an idea of what flowers I want in my bouquet and around the venue.

Just to say, my brain also seems to have gone walk about - and especially so my ability to make a single decision and stick to it, so you're not alone!

Photographers - Met a couple and clicked with one of them. Liked their work etc. Meeting them is always nice but not always essential. I'd say half of my couples who have booked me have never met me. They will probably initiate most of the things you should know but always look at a couple of full galleries to see if you like their work from start to finish, what will happen if they can't shoot the wedding for some reason, deposit amount, how many high res images you are going to receive and how long it will take to receive your images after the wedding.

Cake - We had fruit and victoria sponge for people who didn't like fruit. There are so many choices of flavours out there now that you can have your pick. Have you both got a favourite? Have a Google, look at designs you like but remember you can have any design you want.

Invitations - With these I asked for samples off the ones we liked online and when they arrived we had a clear favourite! Invites usually go about three months before but I'd be inclined to send the main ones out in January to save money on save the dates myself.

Florists - I met about 3 but only 1 was very helpful and not at all pushy so we went with them.

Don't be sorry, this is what we are here for. One thing I will advise is start on the Photographer hunt asap if your wedding is May 2014. It's an extremely popular month!

Check out Pinterest too, I'm addicted to it. Some nice cake ideas in my cake board https://www.pinterest.com/daffodilwaves/

Photographers - contacted tons met three stopped because I had the same 'the one' feeling with our tog as I did with my dress - Ijust knew she was right for us

Cakes - we're choosing flavours we both like and emailing inspiration pics and going from there. My sisters making it though

Invitations - we're sending out early Jan for a may wedding but have already told all our day guests to save the date and some of our evening (told verbally/email) we'll email daytime guests in the next couple of weeks to tell them hotel options in case they get booked up. Jan for invites gives everyone enough time to plan book hotels/babysitters etc and confirms it for them. Also gives us time to chase as we need confirmed numbers 8weeks before.

Florist - not done/not sure if we're having

Photographers: I actually met mine on here. Saw her work, she seemed a genuine nice person as well so I got in contact and we met a few weeks later and I booked her. I had contacted a couple of others but I just didn't get 'the vibe' off them.

Cakes - just found a local lady and went to try her cakes. I saw one other before finding the one I booked. It's really good because you get to eat loads of cake at the consultations!

Invites - just to give you some perspective I am getting married Thursday 31st July 2014. My save the dates went out in July and my full invites are going out in January. As it's a weekday I wantd to allow people plenty of time to get the day off work. Nobody said it was too early to get a save the date. I sent out magnets so they won't get lost in that time. I'm also only having a small ceremony so if there were to be any gaps it would be noticed!

Florists - mine was recommended to me by the venue so very minimal effort from me there. I had no ides what I wanted either, but she helped me and I used some photos from Pinterest to let her see my inspiration. I still don't know what the end product is going to look like because I don't even know the names of these things haha!

Lots of great advice up there... I only have one thought to add about your photographer. I'd suggest you try to meet a couple before you decide, if you can. I think it's important you have a bit of a rapport with them if possible, it may help you decide on the right one for you too. You mentioned that you were a bit shy and I think you'll feel much better having met and chatted to them, it'll make you much more relaxed on the day which will make for much more natural photos...

good luck with it all!

Just a different outlook, sorry in advance if it doesn't help much!

First thing;

Photographers;

how many did you contact? How many did you meet with? Is meeting with them essential? (Very shy!) What should I ask?

We went with a friend of ours who does work for magazines and bands, so was a no brainer. We did ask what was included on the pack, royalties, if he'd stay and cover after the 1st dance and if we could have a second TOG to register guests while we do our "couple" shoots.

Wedding cakes;

Did you research into flavours, fillings etc. or did you just email across/take along a couple of pictures and go from there?

FMIL is baking the cake, so I made a mock up of the design I created and emailed her. The flavours are based on our favorite cake flaves. OH is also having a groom's cake baked by one of his best friends.

Invitations;

We will be sending save the dates out (H2B idea as he thinks December/January is too soon to sending full invitations out for early may wedding), its a Friday wedding so people would have to book the day off work but should I send save the dates to evening guests too? Maybe a save the evening if I can find one?

Save the evening sounds good, but would people coming for the evening have to travel from afar? They might have to book afternoon / day off as well to get there/get ready?

Florists;

Where to begin - I have NO idea when it comes to flowers other than what I think looks nice and smells pretty, should I try and learn alittle more before I arrange to meet with a florist or go along again with a couple of pictures in hand and go from there? What have been your experiences?

We are not doing florists at all. It is all different kinds of flower accents (paperweights, paper, wooden, silicone) and all thought by ourselves. But I'd say book a couple and bring your pics and your vision, I'm sure they would give you some suggestions!

Good luck!