Have I left everything too late? Please give tips!

[LadyGodiva4]

So I've been so ridiculously busy with work and various other matters, 7 months ahead of my winter wedding I've left so much undone. I have venues booked (and food is guaranteed at reception venue) but I still haven't sorted my dress, flowers, photography, registrar/celebrant, transport for guests from ceremony to reception, DJ, invites etc. Can I do this? What sneaks up on you that you forgot about?

That's definitely all doable. And it's an ideal time to do it as you have less time to change your mind on things.

If you're having bridesmaids then their dresses.

I think you should prioritise sending the invites out first.

Definitely doable I opted out whole wedding in 4 months while on maternity leave with newborn. Make a list, get people to check you haven't missed anything out and get going.

If you have venue booked does that mean people know when it is but just haven't had official invites? Either way yes get the invites out ASAP.

Yes, you absolutely can do this.

The very first thing you need to nail down swiftly is the registrar if you are planning to have your legal marriage at the venue you've booked. If you only want a celebrant and are doing the legal bit another time, that takes the pressure off.

Next up, your dress. Six months is the minimum for the majority of designers/suppliers, so to keep your option open, get some appointments to try dresses on booked asap.

If you don't have invitations done yet, just email a save the date to those you definitely want to come, and finish the details in due course.

For flowers, photographer, DJ etc, social media is your friend. Look at which other suppliers are frequently used at your venue, find ones you like the look of, and email for availability and prices.

Good luck!

Yes, I've sent save the dates to all of my guests! My BF has done to some, but he's a bit useless about that sort of thing haha.

It’s fine, my wedding is at the end of May and I only started booking that stuff in January/February.

Sure it's doable. I didn't even start planning mine til six months out and I got married 120 guests in central London!
Just get started calling round on Tuesday. Your dress might be the issue unless you find one that's off the rack well as they can take over six months to order.

We did everything in 3 months here from booking the venue, getting the dress etc. Do people really send out invitations 7 months in advance?

I got married in sept 2021 so couldn't meet up indoors to get my dress until the May. In fact we only booked the registry office in Sept 2020, caterer was around June, mil did my flowers but she grew them as well. The only thing that caused me an issue was the bridesmaids dresses as they had to be ordered 10 weeks in advance and had to be altered as well. I found an amazing seamstress who did it in a couple of weeks. You can definitely do it!

I had a mild panic about hair and make up as only decided to have that about 3 months before but that was fine as well

Will you be able to get a dress with 7 months notice? I would sort the dress and invites ASAP.
Shoes
flowers
makeup
hair
bridesmaids dresses

Favours
table settings
Accommodation the night before if required
rings

Totally doable. We had our venue booked a year in advance, got caught up in work, then I was bullied out and resigned and that was when we booked everything else - it was just 3m before our wedding date!!! Our invites only went out about 5 weeks before the date, too.

Good luck!

Ask STBH to take a share and do some admin.