Post # 1
Member
74 posts
Worker bee
This past weekend my boyfriend suggested I attend our local wedding show with my mom to get ideas. His reasoning was that the next time it rolls around in January 2013 we had planned to be married. I thought he was being really sweet and I was excited to go. I now realize that was a mistake.
My boyfriend has not proposed yet, but has told me it’s coming “soon”. End of March at the latest. He also thinks it will be no problem to plan our wedding for late Summer or Fall of 2012. He will be 34 and I will be 32 by that time, so we are anxious to tie the knot and start a family. I had my reservations that it would be difficult to book something in our small city for that season and the wedding show only confirmed this.
At the wedding show I realized so many vendors are booked. There are very few options. Now I am totally anxious about this. When my boyfriend asked what I thought of the show I told him what I had discovered. He is totally against booking something before we are engaged and I am in agreement with that. Now I’m just worried we won’t be able to find something. I always hoped for some kind of an outdoor ceremony. I guess I’m just a bit disappointed now. I don’t want to wait until 2013 because I will be 33 by then and starting a family is more important to me than some “dream wedding”.
Don’t get me wrong, being with the man of my dreams is more important that a venue, I guess I’m just nervous now. Is anyone else in this position? I just need some reassurance that something will become available.
Post # 3
Member
2063 posts
Buzzing bee
SO and I got engaged on Christmas Eve and now have the venue, photographer, caterer, and everything else all locked up. The key is going to be having the funds readily available to drop the deposits immediately. Don’t give up hope and Good Luck!
Post # 4
Member
3622 posts
Sugar bee
Would you be willing to TTC before the wedding? That could maybe put your mind at ease somewhat. What if you look a little farther at venues than where you were looking initially?
Post # 5
Member
5473 posts
Bee Keeper
Also, keep an open mind about non-traditional venues. Think local parks, museums, art galleries, etc… They often aren’t booked as early nor are they as expensive as some other locations. Best of luck- hope you get the proposal soon 🙂
Post # 6
Member
13951 posts
Honey Beekeeper
You’ll have to be flexible with your date – fall weddings tend to be really popular. You may need to have a Friday night or Sunday afternoon wedding. It can be done, as long as you aren’t 100% set on a particular thing being done!
Post # 7
Member
241 posts
Helper bee
I can relate. In March of last year my SO started talking wedding seriously. I started browsing venues and couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for until this past October. I found it but I am so worried that we won’t be able to book it for this September. My SO plans on proposing around the same time as yours and YES I am anxious to get things booked already.
My SO will be 34 in May and unfortunately if we can’t book the venue for this fall, he may be 35 before we are married. We have had previous talks about plans for starting a family and we want to have the first by the time he is 36, which is really pushing things close together.
I try to have the attitude that everything will work out just the way it should. Of course, most times that is easier said than done..lol
Good luck to you!! 🙂
Post # 8
Member
772 posts
Busy bee
Men totally underestimate the timelines on these things, BUT, remember that by waiting you will likely be able to pick up weekends other couples drop due to cancelations or changes of plans.
I also second being more flexible on dates and times. You may decide to do a Friday night, or even skip traditional venues and use a restaurant. Or do a Sunday or Sat brunch instead.
Just let it happen. March shouldn’t be too late In My Humble Opinion if you are willing to be flexible. We planned our wedding in three months, so it can def happen! Though I recognize that we were in the off season, our date was very popular. Still, we found plenty of ways to make it work.
Post # 9
Member
2999 posts
Sugar bee
My SO and I had a similar convo this weekend. I don’t want to or see the point in waiting a year to have the ceremony. I’d rather it be done within 6 months. He knows I want a fall wedding and so does he. I hope he gets his hiney in motion. Otherwise, I’ll probably wait until July 13 (gparents anniversary) but that would likely be booked anyways too. Men just don’t get it….
Post # 10
Member
1327 posts
Bumble bee
Honestly guys just don’t realize how long it takes to plan a wedding. My SO was like this until I reminded him that we only have the weekends to plan things, and then when you knock out holidays, christmas, birthday weekends etc you are left with like 30 days to plan your entire wedding lol. And that is with starting a year in advance.
Post # 11
Member
74 posts
Worker bee
Thanks Bees! I feel so much more hopeful now. I also really appreciate the advice on just letting it happen. I am trying to have faith it will all work out. It is a very exciting time nonetheless!
@redheadem: SO and I have discussed TTC before the wedding but for some reason, I’m finding myself being old fashioned. I think I’d really rather wait until we’re married.
@abbie017: We have been looking at Friday nights and there are still a couple left at a couple venues, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed they will still be there when we get engaged! I never really thought about Sundays though. Thanks for that idea! I’m sure that would open things up.
Post # 12
Member
3622 posts
Sugar bee
@lizzyflitz: I understand. But look on a Sunday, definitely! That’s what I’m doing!
Post # 13
Member
319 posts
Helper bee
We got engaged in October and were married a week ago, no problems with vendors/venues etc.
It can totally be done, don’t let your vendors get all high pressure with you about being booked way far in advanced… that’s a sales tactic, somebody will have availability or you can go with a nontraditional day, we did a Sunday morning ceremony & brunch reception and it was awesome! We had bacon at our wedding! Who doesn’t love bacon?
Post # 14
Member
1430 posts
Bumble bee
Yeah I can relate somewhat. I wanted to get married next spring sometime, probably on May long weekend since it was during that time my boyfriend and I first met in person. 🙂 But the other day I was bored and looked at a few wedding venue and photographers in our area, and alot of them were already booked for spring of 2013. So now I guess we’ll just push the date to spring of 2014, which on the brightside gives us more time to plan and save up money.
Post # 15
Member
74 posts
Worker bee
@Lexy: I love bacon! Sunday Brunch- what a great idea!
Post # 16
Member
13951 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@lizzyflitz: Plus, from what I’ve seen, a lot of vendors offer discounts for Friday/Sunday weddings since they’re out of the norm! It may work out in your favor!