How Soon is too Soon?

You can save money by booking the reception hall at least 2 years in advance. They usually go up on prices every year. If you book in 2007 for 2009, you'll get the place for less than brides that booked in '08 & '09.
The hardest part is deciding which one of the five reception halls to book with.
Good Luck!

Because your mind is constantly changing, maybe you should wait a while. I would say booking a year to year and a half in advance. You are going to change your mind so much about things in the next couple of years. Now that I'm so close to my date I have to stop myself from looking at new ideas because I want to incorporate them in my plans. Best wishes. Just relax and get ideas. You're definitely in the right place to get feedback and bounce your ideas off of all of us.

I would say to start collecting thins now.If you see something you like and you can print out then put it into a folder. Just get ideas for right now because things can always change. Later you may not like the venues you like now or may find it cheaper. Also some places will not book that far in advance. As far as dresses and stuff go you can look around but know that styles will change and people will too.

All you need is a year in advance to start planning. Some places/caterers have restrictions on how early they book events. Unless, your wedding/reception site is an over-the-top, exclusive, hard-to-book place, you might want call the venue & ask questions about booking procedures & annual/seasonal price variations! Plus, you might change your mind or run up on something even better (whether it's the favors, photographer, BM dresses)! 3+ years is a bit of ways away.
I started planning my wedding a full year prior to the wedding date. I have so much crap in the closet (favors, decor, shoes, reception essentials, arch, etc.) and it's going to continue to sit there until December. I'm also in the middle of major down time b/c we booked everthing in the 1st quarter. I had vendors (including the pastor) looking me crazy for booking everything so early. Depends on how you feel & if you can tolerate looking at the same wedding stuff for the next 3 years. Worst case, I'd start like 12-18 month, prior.

FutureMsLee, You can go to www.theknot.com and they will give you a checklist for ever step in you wedding planning process they even have a wedding budget it is great

Your mind will change up until the day before...LOL My wedding is 1 month 1 week and 6 days away and I keep changing the ceremony. You have enough time to do whatever you like.

MsLee, I booked my hall, photographer/videographer and DJ 1 year and 7 months before my scheduled wedding. The ladies are right, the prices do go up every year. Being that I booked in Feb, they still had the '05 prices in effect, but the '06 prices took affect in April. Also, as far as your venue, you'll KNOW the place you want when you see it. My venue was the 3rd place that I had seen and I just knew "IT WAS THE ONE" for me. I didn't go anywhere else after that. Good luck.

[quote="springbride360"]You can save money by booking the reception hall at least 2 years in advance. They usually go up on prices every year. If you book in 2007 for 2009, you'll get the place for less than brides that booked in '08 & '09.
The hardest part is deciding which one of the five reception halls to book with.
Good Luck!
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Be careful because when we were going to do it in 08, many vendors and hotels were telling us that they won't book it more than 12 months out...I guess the biggest thing is to have a good idea of what you want and envision the wedding to be, get quotes and save money accordingly....I learned that prices won't change drastically in a year or so, but you still will save. If you can get someone to put you down on a specific date more than 12 months out...great, cause your date will get taken. Plus have a good idea of what else in your life might be going on at that time of that year...internship, school, etc so you can get that time off if you need to....Never to soon:)

I just went to my venue again on Sat and they already have 2008 wedding booked. I guess each place is different and I lucked up!

They already have 2008 booked? OMG I better get the *bleep* in gear!!!!!

Yep, they still have a lot of openings available. But, they do have some 2008 weddings reserved.

You are so right guys. And great advice everyone! FML, I would close the deal on the lace I really want. 18 months to 2 years before the event is optimal. If it is a place in high demand there is no such thing as too soon!

besides the very first things you do after getting engaged is finding a wedding and reception site. It can even help you set a final date AND set a wedding theme. Why have a garden theme if you wind up having it in the church community center in the deas of winter??? ALthough that could be off the chain with a little imagination! lol

Well I feel bad but I didn't start active planning until recently and I'm 6 months away from the wedding date - January 13, 2007. However I do already have the place for the ceremony and reception adn I've found my dress...which I figured would be the hardest!

[quote="FutureMsLee"]rosey... i feel you! But him, he is like "baby, its california, its always summer." he gives me a headache. 2 years sounds good to me. This time next year I am going to report where my location will be held. But it will indeed be outside by the ocean that is for certain.
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So there you have it! I can't believe 2008 is booked as mentioned earlier! MsLee, you go ahead and start booking your venue! Thats whats going to determine the number of people you want, the attire, the ambiance and everything! Go ahead and get crackin mama!

Some places have events that are hosted there every year, so to get a good rate the organizers will book the location several years in advance. ie; Expos, award ceremonies.

My date is May 25, 2008 but for financial reasons, I booked the recption hall already. I am getting a great all inclusive deal including place cards and liquor for 5,000! I am determined to stick to my 10,000 budget though. In your case, I would not be too hasty, explore all you options including dresses.