Need a little help here please??

Hi, am getting married June 2012 and so far we have

Church - booked and deposit paid

Venue - booked and deposit paid

Photographer - booked and deposit paid

Cars - booked and deposit paid

Mens suits - booked and fully paid

Just started looking around for my dress and BM, and in the middle of looking at entertainment/flowers/centrepieces.

We have our theme sorted and know what we want to buy for BM/Best Man gifts etc and favours, have an idea of who we want to do our invites and cake will be sorted this year also.

All my family are saying we are very organised, but i'd rather have things planned etc and a few things (venue/tog etc) get booked up rather quickly!

Sarah x

Honestly - I would get all of those things booked NOW.

Photographers & Videographers book up quickly - as does entertainment & florists - especially if you have anyone in particular in mind. A small deposit usually secures.

And coming from someone who booked their honeymoon 10 months prior - the sooner you book the better - its a total pain in a** and wedding funds trying to pay it off by March & save up for wedding.

Also what about your jewellery, shoes etc? When you have your dress sorted you might as well start looking at those things - even just to see what you like / dont like.

Also the presents for your bridal party. parents etc? If you wanted you could get those things done & dusted...

Hope that helps & good luck with your site visit!x

Definitely book florist, they need booking up in advance to leave a slot to do your flowers.

Photographer should be booked soon too as they can book up a couple of years in advance.

Not a bad thing to be so organised, you may even be able to secure some deals on this years prices as prices tend to go up each year.

Personally, I'd be looking to book anything/one that is likely to get booked up and leave you looking for an alternative, so things like photography, videography, florist, hair & makeup, entertainment,caterer and maybe even cake maker.

Just because you start looking now, doesn't mean you'll find someone you're happy with straight away so it gives you a chance to find someone and still gives you the best chance of them being available for your date. Things like shoes, jewellery, gifts, decorations, table centres etc and outfits for the attendants can be left a little while yet IMO - and it'll give you something to keep your wedding mojo going a bit closer to the time too!?

In general terms the I always believe the order to be,

1st - Venue and church (as you need a time and day)

2nd - Photographer, videographer, entertainment, cars (the market where a company can only handle 1 wedding per day - this is so you get maximum choice and get exactly what you want)

3rd - florists, dress, bridemaids dresses (although dress can come in at 1 1/2 as this is probably the most exciting part for some of you) Work out guest list as well.

4th -Honey moon, Suits, invites and little bits and bobs, (honeymoon tends to come in at this stage as most companys wont book holidays more than 12 months in advance as the flight times are not released.)

This isnt always the case but when i ask people about there plans this is usually what i hear in return.

I'm on it lol!

Going to get those main things booked as we do have a specific photographer in mind!

Thanks everyone!

xx