As you skim through wedding planning guides, you’ll notice most assuming that the big day’s about a year away. You’ll see 12-month timelines and checklists that map out what you need to do month by month. But what if your engagement period is longer: for instance, 18 months or two years? You may worry that you’ll procrastinate and wait too long to get started, but is it possible to begin planning your wedding too early?

Don’t Immediately Jump Into Planning Your Wedding

Wedding Wire’s Kim Forrest reveals that the average engagement lasts about 13 months, but some couples extend that period for many reasons. They may need time to save more money or finish their schooling. Others have their hearts set on a particular date and destination. Regardless of your circumstances, you and your partner should discuss your engagement length and come to a consensus. In the meantime, Forrest advises waiting for a bit before you start planning and contacting vendors.

Consider Your Timing Carefully

Waiting a while before starting the planning process is wise, but is it still possible to begin too early during a long engagement? Yes, says Brides’ Elizabeth Mitchell. She discusses couples reaching out to vendors for weddings more than three years in the future. Unfortunately, this isn’t very helpful for either the couples or the vendors. Unexpected circumstances can force couples to break contracts, and vendors would rather spend the time on weddings scheduled in the nearer future.

Industry expert and Huffington Post contributor Sandy Malone also mentions other headaches faced by businesses who accept clients too early in advance. Material costs can significantly fluctuate within two or three years, and professionals already bound by contract prices may be unable to adjust their rates accordingly. There’s also the chance that the couple will change their minds about their wedding vision. Vendors can’t afford the risk of losing money on items they’ve already purchased for the big day.

Avoid Hiring Vendors Before Choosing a Planner

Getting engaged is exciting. Naturally, that excitement can carry over to wedding planning and fuel your inspiration. Just as it’s tempting to dive right into the planning process, you may fall in love with the first venue, cake designs, flower arrangements, or attire that you see. “Shut up and take my money!” you think as you plow through signing contracts and writing checks. Except there’s one problem: You haven’t hired a planner yet, nor have you decided whether you need one.

As Mitchell points out, this can cause some major problems. Many planners now work for event management companies that partner with area vendors to offer all-inclusive packages. These companies may mandate using these vendors in their contracts. If you’ve already paid deposits or signed contracts with other businesses, that leaves you with only two choices: Choose a different wedding planner or forfeit the money you’ve spent.

Create A Timeline For Planning Your Wedding

Long engagements offer quite a bit of flexibility. You can use those first few months to casually research vendors, look for venues, and gather inspiration for your event. Meanwhile, you’re not under any pressure to book, sign contracts, or pay any money. Those typical 12-month planning checklists are also useful during long engagements, especially for couples with very busy lives. You can adapt these checklists to suit your needs, set planning benchmarks in advance, and take more time to craft your wedding-day vision. The Spruce’s Chloe Taylor-Blais offers a checklist designed for engagements of up to 24 months.

Long engagements require slightly different approaches to wedding planning. Couples can use the extended period to their advantage, but proper timing is essential. Don’t feel pressured to beginning planning right away, and allow some time to enjoy your “just engaged” status. With these tips, you can avoid major pitfalls and make the most of the time you have.