We planned our wedding in exactly four months. We both had been married before and wanted something rather simple. I bought a dress from a consignment bridal shop, we had our kids and a couple nieces and nephews as attendants (their stuff was all off-the-rack…dresses from Laura Ashley, boy’s stuff from Nordstrom), we were pretty open about dates and even the place for a reception. We got our name on a list at the Embassy Suites, the woman called with a cancellation and we jumped on it, luckily the church was free that day.
If you have your heart set on a specific place or date, a certain band, whatever, then you will have to take a year (or more) to plan it. If you are willing to be kind of flexible, it can be done sooner.
Are you seriously considering waiting 33 months? Please say no. You will let yourselves get so caught up in “wedding fever” that you will kill each other.
I agree 100%. And more. I have friends who nearly had nervous breakdowns over whether to have au gratin potatoes or baby new potatoes, or whether to serve garden salads or caesar salads, or whether to go with the intertwined hearts or the doves on the souvenir matches…it’s just incredible the amount of crap you are expected to deal with when planning a wedding. In six months, NO ONE is gonna remember what they ate at your wedding except YOU. Just pick what YOU like and be done with it.
Get it done the sooner the better. As long as you can get a Church and reception location you want, don’t wait. My wife and I had about 6 months and it worked out great.
One word of caution though, if you are planning on having it on a long weekend, book the locations especially ASAP as they are the sought after times.
In our case, since we are in a long distance relationship, it is really up to her to do most of the planning (as the wedding will be in her hometown). But I want to help with as much as I can from over here:)
Where you live? (some cities have very few choices of places to have the reception etc)
What you want? (more formal and more people usually equals more time)
How much time are you willing to put into planning it? (this is crucial, most of the time is spent shoping around, so if you are willing to put a lont of quality time in to it, you can shorten the planning process)
What contacts you have/budget?
I am planning mine in nine months and it seems to be plenty of time (keeping in mine I do event planning for a living)! If you need any help/advice let me know!