What needs booked when?

[MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday]

So im not great with wedding timelines and hoping some of you lovely mumsnetters can help me with this

What needs to be booked early? Weve booked our wedding for July 2021, ceremony and reception all in one venue, so plenty of time I know, however people are telling me wedding things are booked well in advance! I have booked my photographer mainly because I know they are very busy and I don't want to risk them not being avaliable, but is that all I need to worry about now? Can I leave pretty much everything else until later 2020, start of 2021? Thanks

[MrsGrannyWeatherwax]

This depends on exactly where you are, time of year (is it a popular time), and if you’re particular about certain things.

Make up artists near me had no availability 9 months prior (luckily I invited one who stepped in as a friend) and that was about all I pre-booked except for the DJ.

Anything that matters to you I’d nail down, so if you want a wedding decorator then book them early too.

[MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday]

Thanks @MrsGrannyWeatherwax
It's in July so probably quite a popular time.
The venue decoration is all sorted with the hotel so that's fine.
I hadnt really thought of make up, ill maybe need to start trialing some to get a rough idea of who I want to use!
Entertainment is probably a good idea to look at soon too. Thank you
I feel like I don't have a clue about these things!

[MrsGrannyWeatherwax]

I think I did a google to see what the advice was and I knew I wasn’t that bothered by much so I didn’t feel I needed to book ahead. Just focus on what you care about if that’s a specific Baker / make up / florist then nail them in and don’t worry about the rest - but I apparently was a chilled bride!

The dress can take a good few months so when you’re a year away start thinking about that and budget well - if I saw a bargain I brought it and stored it.

[MrsGrannyWeatherwax]

My venue had a wedding coordinator who did most of my stuff and I went with her recommendations to book DJ, decorations etc really only left table dec / seating plan / photo booth to me and they’d have done that too for extra fees!

[MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday]

Thanks, i think I'm quite a chilled bride too nothing seems to phase me at the moment, the hotel was asking for colour schemes etc and I had no idea 😂 hopefully it doesnt get to 6 months before am im suddenly Bridezilla because ive done nothing! I'll have a quick google and see if there's a check list! I won't be dress shopping for a while but I don't have a clue what I want. Any that I see that I like I keep nearly showing to DP by accident!

[piglet81]

Do you have wedding insurance? With it being so far away I would definitely want to be covered in case the venue should go under or anything. Congratulations and happy planning!

[MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday]

Hi @piglet81 no i dont, i do need to look in to that. Ive been advised that for things like my dress and stuff to pay for that initially with my credit card too because that has some sort of cover on it too, is that what most people advise?

[Mummyme87]

I booked our wedding 2years prior to the date (booked April 2018 and getting married April 2020, Easter Saturday).
I booked photographer in the June last year, slowly adding things like day time musician, cake by November, hair and make up & band in February. It’s now 9months to go and we are about to send out invites

[MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday]

Great thanks @Mummyme87.
We'll start to think about a band relatively soon then it sounds like we have plenty of time to worry about everything else
I did find an app last night that seems quite helpful too! I've never really thought much about all the different things before now, but there is a lot more to think about than I realised, and we aren't even having a big wedding!

[Mummyme87]

Just be careful of the recommended times for booking things. I have found them a bit odd and weird times.

[fairy55]

I know I'm a little late to the party on this but download the Bridebook app. It's so helpful and gives you a timeline on when to do stuff! It's been a huge help for me :)

[user1473878824]

I’m getting married in July next year and panicked about everything being booked up. Where we’re getting married we have to use approved suppliers so I emailed them all, figuring they’d get booked up. Every single one of them is free, so don’t panic!