Wedding plans too far ahead and too mix-match?

We're thinking about having the wedding on New Years Eve 2009, an evening service. Then our reception would be late evening to New Years! On New Years Day we hope to have a little party with the little kids who were not at the reception and people from out of town.


I think it would save money on food, because we could have hor d'oeuvres and cake, but we'll probably spend more on services and liquor.


I just don't know how far we would have to plan in order to get reservations made, especially since all of my extended family is out of state!


I'm doing more planning right now (because I'm the starry-eyed dreamer). I think dark colors on bridesmaids, but the flower girl could wear a lighter version of the same color. Our ring bearers will be his two Bull Mastiffs (they are so cute! and a real part of his family). Flowers may be a lighter color, to accent the darker bridesmaids and white (me!!)


I don't envision this will be a huge wedding (# of people) but I want it to be special, duh!

Wedding plans too far ahead and too mix-match?
You might want to rethink a New Year's Eve wedding. A lot of people have plans for that night and would rather go out and party. Plus, a lot of people will have family in for the holidays and will not want to abandon them for New Year's. Why not aim for a date in early January after the rush of the holidays had ended and people need something to do? Just a thought.
Reply:Just STOP planning - it's way too far away. A year ahead is enough to plan -- too many things can happen between now and then. Why in the world are you waiting so long?
Reply:I think it sounds wonderful....and it's never too early to start. Be prepared for some people telling you they don't book that far in advance, but just ask them when you should call again and set it up. And, I do not think it's too mix-matched...if you like it then do it. Good luck!
Reply:I'm here to tell you that I wouldn't come to a wedding on New Year's Eve. First of all it's a holiday, I don't want to travel to your wedding. The weather could be bad and I have better things to do on a holiday. Second of all it's a holiday that everyone I work with wants off, my chances of getting it are slim. Also, it's going to be hard for you to book a place for NYE, they plan those parties years in advance, which means it's also going to be more expensive.





Colors and flowers are your thing, go for it. I wouldn't have a flower girl if you're planning an evening service, they have bed times and get cranky. No place I know of would let you have dogs for ring bearers. Service animals only. Wedding planning is fun.
Reply:It sounds wonderful! What a great way to incorporate both parties!





Just be sure to start the ceremony at a late enough hour that everyone will have already eaten dinner...Maybe 8:00.





You should start planning now! For any wedding, the more advance planning you can do, the better off you'll be when the time comes. But on top of this, you may end up having more challenges, due to the fact that it's on a night where a lot of people will already be booking the space and the vendors. Additionally, don't forget that you'll have December holidays to celebrate right before the wedding, so you may need some extra help with the last minute details.





Also, for all of those kids who won't be able to make it to the reception on New Years Eve...it may be difficult to find babysitters. New Years Eve and Halloween are the hardest nights of the year to get sitters, because they all want to go out themselves. You might want to try to organize something for all of your guests, with a couple of sitters working together with all of the kids.





I would also recommend sending "save the date" cards several months in advance. Otherwise, your guests may already have booked themselves at another party.





On New Years Eve, many people will want to wear a "little black dress"...You might consider having your bridesmaids in black, and perhaps the flower girl in silver. You could make the evening a Black And White event, which would make it easy for your guests to coordinate, and wear their spiffy new stuff.
Reply:I would definately start looking for a reception site as New Years Eve parties can be booked years in advance- depending on where you live. I wouldn't decide on colors just yet though- you've got plenty of time and who knows what the "hot" colors and styles will be then. Start making a wedding folder with cut outs of your favorite things so when the time comes to put it all together, you'll know exactly what you want! Good luck!!!
Reply:Believe me the longer the time to plan the more and more and more your going to end up spending and making it bigger than planned.
Reply:What's your question?


Start calling around now to places that you're interested in, because New Years books up fast...it's better to at least have an idea, even if you can't book now, of when you're supposed to call back and set things up. Hopefully your hall/reception place will be able to give you contacts for all of the other things you'll need.