Im new here and looking for advice over timescales...

Hi, and welcome...

It really depends on what sort of wedding you want. Popular venues book up really far in advance and it might take you a while to fall in love with one.

I think you have got a lot of time but its never too early to think about what you want.

That said there have been lots of people on here that change their mind after booking things really early.

We fell in love with an old ruined castle for our venue in Jan and H2B was really suprised to find all the weekends were already booked for June 09. We settled for a midweek one instead...

I think most people say about 18 months to plan an average wedding

Happy planning

I think it's because the venue we are looking at we spoke to them and they advised they are booked for 2009 and 2010 and already booking for saturdays in june and july in 2011. So we feel to get the time of year we want we will need to book within the next 12 months.

I just want the venue booked so i know its done and i can chill for a bit before the major planning starts.

Plus im looking at it as by the time we book it (after christmas ) it'll only be 3 years to go which to me isn't really a long time. And i have no doubt it'll fly in! I like to be organised and prob about 2 years before would have me feeling in control.lol

Go for it then.... if you know what you want and its popular you don't want to miss out..

I did read somewhere that if you are planning to take out insurance - do it before you book and pay deposits....

Planning is half the fun anyhow..?

Hi and Welcome

I don't think you need to panic just yet, but it certainly doesn't hurt to find out what is available in the area and get an idea of what you want.

I am one of several 2010 brides on here who have already booked their venues. Some people think thats too far in advance, but I personally wanted to avoid disapointment.

I think it also depends on the venue, I remember visiting Cardiff Castle as a child, and the guide telling us they were booked up for weddings for the next 2 1/2 years. But I think thats a rare thing.

Just read your newer post.....can I ask where you are planning your wedding? Must be a popular venue.

Its a hotel called the Queensferry Lodge.

Its in North queensferry in Fife, Scotland (across the forth from edinburgh)

The hotel sits on the hill and has these huge windows which overlook the forth and the 2 bridges and the views are amazing (on a good day! lol)

It did seems popular, she laughed when i said 2012 and said they have no booking for then yet, mainly booking for 2010 and the odd 2011. But its not just an organised thing, i want to start saving after christmas,so its a money thing as i want to save as much as poss so we dont have to take out loans etc.

But my friends think its far too early (iv been planning my wedding in my head for years)

I love it there - we did have a look around that area but went for Dirleton Castle instead...

Though we are having a bus trip through Edinburgh to the Forth Bridge?

Just had a look at the website, it looks really nice. If it's what you want then go for it. I have lots of friends at work who laugh at me and say I'm getting carried away with the planning when I have 2 years. But like you, I have been planning this in my head for a long time. ANd the great thing about this site, I have found, is you can ask any question about wedding planning, even stuff I don't nee to worry about for a while but pops in my head, and you get answers without anybody telling you its a premature question.

Welcome to the boards Hezza!

It's a bit over a year til my wedding, but we'd pretty much had a good idea of where we wanted for our venue in January 2007... 16 months before we even got engaged!!

Sometimes you just know! And if you're waiting til Christmas to book it, then you've still got plenty of time to look at all the other options, just to be sure that you're sure about the one you want!! I looked at gazillions of other venues websites but still sure about our first choice.

Your all making me feel much better about looking now.

I think its more from a finacial point of view that im looking. Iv already looked at other options in the area and looked at other hotels but still the queensferry lodge sticks out by a mile.

I wonder if anyone on here has got married at the queensferry lodge or knows someone who got married there?!?

my dad is still about dubious about it and wants to know from someone who has got married there as to what the food etc is like?!

If anyone could help would be much appriciated.

I can't help with your venue but if you put a thread out asking 'anyone from Fife' you might get more replies. There are a few people from that direction that might be able to help.

I too am a trainee Monica so know where you're coming from! My timings were as follows for our June 06 wedding:

Jun 05 Got engaged

Sep 05 Attended first bridal fairs with my Mum & realised venues get booked up!

Oct 05 Started visiting venues with H

Nov/Dec 05 Booked venue, photographer & DJ, pencilled in with registrar

Jan 06 Venue confirmed hire costs, paid full amount hire cost (£3k)

Jun 06 Bought dress, booked florist

Jul 06 Booked registrar, honeymoon

I don't think you can book most venues until 2 years out and there's no way a registrar will pencil you in that early so bear that in mind although a church might be more flexible? Def register interest in your top 2-3 venues now and ask them to call you if they get asked about booking the same date you want. Bear in mind when monies might be due as well.

Thanks, the venue will take my booking with no issues.

Obv need to check out deposits and things with them. I'll be getting married in the hotel and think its gonna be a humanist wedding so i know i can leave that till 2010 to book.

I think i will post a new thread about the hotel and see if can get any advice about it.

You have all made me feel a bit better about looking so early and that im not just crazy. lol