Book Everything In Advance
If you want your matrimonial ceremony to have all the pomp and circumstance of the weddings you’ve seen in the movies and on TV, you’re going to need to put some forethought into it.
Do you think the venue you’ve got in mind is just waiting for you to book them? What’s more likely is, if they’re a popular venue for weddings, they’ll have a waiting list a year long. If they’re not a place that traditionally does weddings, they may need advance notice to secure your date. Either way, you’re going to need to contact this place at least several months in advance.
A good rule of thumb when booking vendors, locations, and supporting persons for a wedding is to get everything arranged as far in advance as possible. But there is a limit. If you do things too far in advance, you run the risk of a double-booking. The sweet spot is between six months and a year, depending on who—or what—you’re booking.
A Closer Look
For example, you can probably book floral arrangements for the ceremony anywhere from a few weeks to a few months out. Be on the safe side by doing it a few months out; there could be a compromise in a shipment, and your booking secures what you need where otherwise it may be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Limousines and tuxedos can likewise be reserved a few weeks/months out.
You can probably secure a hair stylist a few months out; but if you want your ideal choice, giving it six months to a year is a wise idea. The officiant at your wedding is likely in the same category. Unless you’ve got someone special in mind, there are an overabundance of clergymen who can be easily secured for the task.
When you’re considering the videographer, or a photographer (combining these is a wise choice), you’ll want to go a little further out. Six months is a wise idea, nine months is better, a year is best. The further out you go, the better the talent capturing your wedding will be. If they’ve got any skill at all, they’ll have regular clients; meaning you won’t be able to secure them last-minute.
Invitations should be ordered at least four months in advance, and sent out no later than three months from the date itself; especially if you’re asking people to come from around the country. Your wedding is more than just a union between you and your spouse; it’s a union between your spouse’s family, and your own. This will include family friends, and should be as stressless for everybody as possible.
Your dress, and that of your bridesmaids, should be secured at least six months out. Give it nine so that you can help others providing services give you the best of their best. Even if you direct your bridesmaids to select their gowns at an online site such as Azazie, you need to search and purchase in a timely manner so that you have seasonal selections available.
Music: One Of The Most Important Factors
When you’re considering entertainment—like a band, or a DJ—go on the safe side, get talented providers, and give it at least six months. According to RoyalEntertainmentUS.com, the right NJ disc jockey wedding will have DJs who “take care that the music is completely suitable for each and every moment of the occasion.”
This means they need to know you, and your matrimonial proclivities. Granted, you don’t have to book in advance, but the better DJs will be booked just like other vendors mentioned in this writing.
The right music provider will probably get a list of songs from you; a list of “plays” and “no-plays”, if you will. A bad song at the wrong time can spoil the whole occasion. But this can be avoided with a little foresight. You can have a picture perfect wedding just like you’ve seen on TV; it will just take a little preparation.
