I paid for mine in January and my wedding isn't until June. I have also heard of people that didn't pay for their wedding until a week after they got married! I think they are fairly easy about it as long as everything is ok with your planner. Ask to see when they are ready. One thing to keep in mind. I couldn't pay for extras in January. She told me I would have to pay for those closer to the date. By extras I mean the bottle of sparkling cider, the hair and makeup, the towncar, etc. I had the add on and I paid the 2300.00. The rest I will pay later.