Hello All,
I am new to the forum. This is my first marriage and I haven't gone to many weddings so I'm at a real lost. My wedding is Oct. 18, 2008 and I can't figure out what I need to do now and what needs to wait. To tell the truth, the only thing I have done since Jan.07 when I got engaged is put a down payment on the ceremony/reception site and put a down payment on the photographer. I just don't know if I'm behind or ahead of the game. I'm having nightmares that I don't have a dress or food at the wedding and the preacher dosen't show up....I don't know what I'm doing. Any suggestions?

Welcome. First of all, make a list of the things that are most important to you for your wedding day. Those are the things you should makre sure you get exactly what you want. Photographer, reception and ceremony sites, dress. etc.... There are several different checklists you can go by that give a general idea of when what should be done. Honestly, I would say you are a tad bit behind. If you go to any wedding site like the knot Wedding Dresses - Wedding Cakes - Wedding Planning - Unique Wedding Ideas and register an account they have an interactive checklist for you to use.

Here is a sample of a 12 month checklist 12 Month Wedding Planning Countdown

You know, that is the thing. I have about 4 wedding sites I'm a part of and I have printed out all the checklist and planning material but most of the things on the list I just think it is too early for. For instance,, my friends say that I should have my menu already confirmed but my family and I are doing the food and I don't know what to buy now and hold for 4 months or so. The candy favors I want, I don't want to have them stored at my house 4 months in advance. I know I should have my dress by now and that is my main stressor right now. I can't find a DJ, my daughter's dress, I'm afraid to buy right now she she goes so fast. She is 9 years old and from month to month it seems I'm changing out cloths.

Sounds like you have some of the basic stuff down. As far as the food menu, have you thought about what you may want to have at all? I would also start looking for sales on canned items that you may need. Most of that stuff is good for years. If you are providing soda or other beverages for your guests, you may want to start looking for sales on those items too. As far as the candy favors, do you have everything else ready to make them besides that candy? As far as the DJ, ask around to friends and family and who've they've used in the past. Do you have a favorite radio station? A lot of radio stations do DJing too. With your daughters dress, I understand that you want to wait to buy one for her to make sure it's the right size, but do you have a dress picked out that you want to buy her when it comes to the time? I know some of this stuff sounds petty and that you'll have plenty of time to do it, but once your day gets closer, you are going to have SO much to do, that you will be thankful you did all this stuff before hand. I hope some of this helps. Happy planning!

I deffinately agree ~ with your wedding only a few months down the road, you need to get a bit more of a move on things now. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. Have you already booked a baker for the cake and a florist? Because everything that I've been reading says you should book 8-12 months before the wedding for both of those. Also, do you know who will be marrying you yet? i.e. priest, officiant, justice of the peace? Now you already booked the site and photographer, which is very good because those are some of the most important things. Um, I would start on your dress search now too. You need to leave enough time for the dress to actually come in (if it's being sent from another location) and also leave time for fittings and such. I would get your daughter's now too. I'd say order a size bigger than what she needs now and then it can always be taken out if need be. The guys' tuxes can probably wait another month or two. I'm getting married September 09' and when I called our tux place, they said we don't need to come in until June or July. Hmm, what else is there....call your location site and ask them when you all should sit down to go over the menu options and such. Umm ~ do you need a limo? Because I would look into that now as well. And are you getting your hair and makeup done? Start looking for a stylist now because you'll need to leave time to do a trial run of your hair style and everything. It's alot to take in, I know. But deffinately make a list of everything else you need to do and check things off as you do them. And also, making a list of when payments are due is important. If there's anything else you need, please ask. We're here to help, chickie.

don't forget to start looking at fall wedding favors for your wedding as well

I didnt see any mention of invitations. As these usually take awhile to either print or make your own, you probably need to get those underway. You don't want to wait til the last minute to mail them out.

I wouldn't necessarily be buying food just yet if you are fixing it yourself, but I would certainly have my menu planned.

If you have your wedding and reception site booked, I would be getting the photography, DJ(if having one) and cake ordered too. Also start looking around for idea's a sales on centerpieces and decorations.

Best of luck!!!