You just got engaged, you’ve picked a date, and now it’s time to start planning and
You find out your favorite vendors are booked. It’s time to panic now, right? There is no need to panic!
Hear me out, when I was young and naïve, I had no idea what I was doing, and my wedding was just 6 months after my engagement. I will never forget how rude the ladies at the dress shop were, and how sad and embarrassed I was that I wasn’t going to get my dress. As someone with no extra funds to spare I couldn’t pay to have everything rush ordered.
The good news is you don’t have to experience what I did. So here are some tips:
If your number one picks are booked, you still have options! There are so many amazing vendors, and you shouldn’t have many problems finding some. If you are really set on specific vendors, you can always consider changing your date. You’ll just need to decide if the tradeoff is worth it to you.
Don’t be bullied or scared into changing your date or choosing a vendor you don’t want! If getting married sooner is your goal, there are so many ways to have a beautiful wedding and a fast engagement. When you are looking for vendors and the first one says you won’t find anyone else, keep looking till you find the right fit.
If you want specific fast booking vendors, and are ok with a longer engagement, I’d recommend 12-18 months. Not all vendors will be booked that far in advance, but it will give you a better chance of securing the ones who are most important to you.
Remember that inquiring with a vendor does not mean that your date is booked. When I get a new inquiry, I will always check with the couple before I book the date they were inquiring about. Venues, photographers, and wedding planners often book the fastest, so it’s something to keep in mind when you start the process.
Let me know how long your engagement was/is in the comments below! Did it have a big impact on booking vendors?