Where to Start Planning a Wedding

Q: I am getting married in 18 months. I am already very excited. Is there anything I can start to plan now?

A: This is a terrific question. Let me tell you the "pros and cons" about booking early:

Pros:

• You get it out of the way.
  
  
• You're able to begin to make payments in small installments extending from the time you sign a vendor's contract, to the day of your wedding, so the payments are more spread out and are easier to handle.
  
  
• You secure the vendors you really want...the chances of them being completely booked up are slim to none.
  
  
• You're able to be more selective in who you hire, as time is on your side.
  
  
• You have fun with the pre-planning, and the stress level is relatively low.

Cons:

• Especially with clothing, colours, etc.- you may change your tastes. You might love the colour purple now, but in two years, you might not like it as much, and you might want another colour. Also, with clothing, you could either gain or lose weight over the next two years, so you may have to wait until closer to the wedding date to get your dress altered, etc.
  
  
• Going out of business? You might leave a deposit with a vendor that could very well go out of business in the next couple of years. You should include a clause in your early contracts protecting you against such situations

The things I would avoid doing now are: dress, bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos, shoes, flowers, invitations, anything to do with personal taste. The things you could potentially begin securing include the church/ceremony location, banquet facility, gift registry, gifts for the wedding party etc.