When to start planning

View quoted message I'm looking at doing first look pictures on the horse and carriage ride in niagara on the lake. Not bothering with a limo just drive ourselves. Then the butterfly conservatory for some indoor pics.

View quoted message I have no idea yet. We only have our photographer for 5 hours. So I'm trying to kind of plan around that. As I want him to do certain things at the reception. Where are you planning on getting photos taken? My photographer suggested the Butterfly Conservatory But now I'm having trouble finding a limo that's less than $500 to get there and back to do the photos.

View quoted message I like the twinkle lights but I don't think you'll need them in the daytime. What time were you thinking of having the ceremony?

View quoted message That's what I'm thinking about doing. I've got a few different photos to choose from

View quoted message Could you maybe put up some sheer curtain so it blocks the look of driveway but light still comes in?

View quoted message Our ceremony is in the room without a window. I didn't even look at another room. I'm really not going to dress it up too much since I only want a short ceremony. I figure for the 20 minutes we'll be there I can deal with the room. I might do some flowers on some kind of pillar. Going between pillars my mom already has and making some I saw on pinterest. I can have someone bring them to the Niagara room after and have them at the entrance way.

View quoted message We are also having ours in the Niagara room. And we're having the ceremony itself in the room with the window.
I'm not a big fan of the look of it. With a parking lot right behind me. And the Big Exit Sign. So right now I'm trying to find a way to make it lok nicer but keep the light coming in.

View quoted message Which room did you book?

View quoted message We are having ours in the Niagara room. It's the best way to keep our guest count down. A friend of mine had her wedding there in the summer and it was amazing, food was so good, it was a really nice wedding.

View quoted message You're having it at the Americana as well. Are you having it in the grand ballroom with a Niagara room?

View quoted message We are having our wedding there February 20 next year. I started planning about two years in advance. I'm just coming up to the year mark.

Thats a great time you have tons of time to save and pay off vendors slowly!!

Thats about right. Whats nice about being that far out, is you basically have your pick of vendors.

Not early at all.. especially if you want a certain venue, or vender etc

There isn't ever a starting time for wedding planning process. Its when you want to take the first step. 2 years seems long right now and when you get to a year time with half the planning completed. You will have your vendor team set along with your colours/theme.

When we were ready (Hubby at the time agreed to a small wedding), the planning started 18 months as of April 2016. He didn't do much until towards the end to pay for the rings and Officiant. The rest was taken care by myself of purchases, rentals (helped by parents and outfit bought), details put together with some help of in laws.

We are planning now for Sept 2021 and already have our venue, catering, furniture and day-of coordinator! And we aren’t even officially engaged yet (lol). No harm in starting early as it’ll give you less to be stressed about as the day creeps nearer.

I started planning 25 months in advance!! go for it!!

Not too early on the BIG stuff like venue - but I would try and wait on things like decor and your dress until the 1 year mark to make sure style doesn't change/ your taste doesn't change.

View quoted message That is a very good point in regards to dress. But now you're just making me think. Should I have waited on the venue? We are having our wedding at the Americana Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

I don't think that too early is a thing for the big stuff. You can lock in the 2020 pricing on venues and photographers now and potentially save a lot of money. Still do research and don't feel like you need to rush into anything if you're not ready or aren't sure yet.
I would wait on decor and the dress until closer to the year/year and a half mark because styles and trends can change, and by 2021 you might find this years trendy dress on clearance!