Hey there Lexington Kentucky lovebirds! Kat here, owner of Kat’s Photos LLC. Start planning early, and book your vendors in advance, especially your venue, hair and makeup, and photographer. Take a week or two to enjoy your engagement with family and friends and when you’re ready to dive in, finding a venue is usually first. My advice? Make a sheet of must haves in a Lexington Wedding Venue.

VENUE: 18-24 MONTHS

The very first thing you want to book is your Lexington Wedding venue. Dates fill up quick, especially in our area. If you want a popular venue, the sooner you book the better. Believe me or find out that venues typically book 2 years in advance, the popular venues will already have lots of dates filled. Don’t wait to book your Lexington Wedding venue! Some of my favorite venues are Carnegie Hall, Hemlock Springs, The Farmstead, and Castle & Key.

PLANNER: 12-18 MONTHS

If you are hiring a planner, this is usually the next step! On occasion you’ll book them first to help with the venue searching. Planners have a ton of ideas, tips, and tricks about weddings in the area. The right planner can make your visions of your wedding day come true.

PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER: 12-18 MONTHS

One of the most stressful moments, searching for the vendors to capture your day. As a photographer, I will be the person by your side for majority of the day. There are so many amazing photographers out there but did you know I offer a unique client experience? I send a custom welcome box including my bridal magazine upon booking, every collection includes an engagement session with an in person gallery reveal, timeline planning, a fun time on your wedding day, and a custom gift after the wedding! I get most of my inquiries 8-15 months out from the wedding date. You can inquire here. As far as your videographer goes, I have some excellent recommendations! I can help you find your videographer based on your needs and your vision.

FLORIST: 12 MONTHS

Florals are one of the big things your guests will notice. Florists in my opinion are one of the most important things. More couples are opting for fake flowers or a mix of flowers. Let me be the first to tell you that fake flowers do not tend to photograph well. I have seen wood, silk, and your standard fake flowers and you can tell in the photos. Nothing wrong with opting for fake florals at all but I would highly recommend the bouquet be real flowers. If you are considering fake florals so you can keep it for years down the line, consider opting for floral preservation. Most of the ones I have seen are preserved in resin and you can turn it into a statement piece for years to come.

CATERING: 12 MONTHS

Some venues offer catering but if they do not offer it, or you want to do your own thing, you’ll want to prepare early. You can opt for a buffet style or restaurant style, BBQ, lamb chops, etc. The possibilities are endless. You can also opt for food trucks, coffee trucks or coffee bar, or a fun dessert setup. It is recommended to book early on but you could get lucky and get your perfect caterer 4 months out. I shot a wedding last year with a popcorn bar and it was so much fun! They had all different kinds of toppings from Reece’s to marshmallows.

DJ/BAND: 12 MONTHS

A DJ or band will make or break your reception! As a photographer I can almost immediately tell when a reception is not going to have many people on the dance floor. The DJ will be something to not skimp out on if you are wanting a huge party at your reception. As the photographer, I will join in on the dance floor to get some amazing shots of the guests.

RENTALS: 10 MONTHS

Rental companies usually have some wiggle room with booking, however the sooner the better. They will be able to get all of your décor together to make sure it will be available for your wedding. Plus they will 100% work with you to ensure all of your magical dreams will come true.

HAIR/MAKEUP: 10-12 MONTHS

I think most wedding planning timelines will tell you to book closer to your wedding date, however I am close with a couple of hair and makeup artists. They are almost fully booked out this year and it’s only February! Depending on the area you’re in, you might have some room to book closer to the date, but why risk it? Once you have your date set in stone, go ahead and start looking. Teams that offer both hair and makeup tend to book up quicker as well.

DRESS/TUX: 10-12 MONTHS

The fun part, but also the stressful part. How you will look on your big day. Whether it be a ballgown, mermaid dress, or a tux, you will likely need alterations. Think of who to bring with you shopping. Maybe just your best friend, just the gals in your families, or all of your bridesmaids, choose wisely! Think about who will offer you the most critique but in a good way! Maybe you want to do a first look with your mom or bridesmaids on your wedding day. All of these are factors to consider when going shopping. When you actually do go shopping, make sure that you try on more than one dress! I know I sound crazy but I have heard of people trying one on and that is it. Even if the first dress you try on is “the dress” have some fun with it! Try on styles you never thought you would, listen to the stylists at the bridal shops as well. Another fun tip is to come with your hair and makeup done, it does not have to be anything fancy, but it will help you envision how you will look on your wedding day. As far as the tux goes, consider opting for a custom tux with a fun pattern on the inside of the jacket. There are so many ways to customize both dresses and tuxes.

CAKE: 9 MONTHS

Tasting all of the cakes! This is probably one of the most fun things to do in the wedding planning process. Typically bakers say to set up the tastings 9 months in advance because they only take a limited number of cakes per week. Is cake a not so important thing in your budget? Sam’s Club has some amazing cakes! Maybe you want a cake from a baker but do not want that price tag. Consider a smaller cake for you and your spouse and serving cupcakes or other desserts to your guests. I promise you, a lot of guests are not going to eat the cake unless it is plated and handed to them. Majority of the weddings I have shot have had a ton of leftover goodies after the wedding. Consider sending your vendors (especially your photographer) home with a cupcake or slice of cake… hint hint. Totally kidding! Unless you want to of course!

OFFICIANT: 6-9 MONTHS

Officiants can be hard to find, if you don’t have a friend or family member, or someone from your religious belief, finding an officiant somewhat early on is ideal.

OTHER THINGS

There are tons of little things to think about. Consider the overall vibe of your wedding when choosing your Lexington Wedding Venue, transportation, guest favors, hotels, a live wedding painter, and stationary. I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone so I did not include every single aspect of your wedding day.