hi evelyn,
welcome! if ur wedding is in july and if ur idea is to make it no frills u don need to start now.
usually pple start early coz they got rom before that so they book a bridal shop and ask them to throw in a free rom package (dress, make up etc).
bookin a banquet is a tricky thing, some hotels allow bookin for 07 dates now while many do not. I heard tt one of the reason is becoz, for 2006 the first half yr is not good for marriages so the hotel sales r all not doin well so in the settin of 07 price they r still havin a wait and see attitude. if they don do well in 06, they will need to recover in 07 as 08 is also not a good yr for marriage (just like this yr).
gettin married in end 06 is possible as long as u r very decisive and don mind second or third best. btb start early coz they want to be able to book their preferred choice of photographer, makeup artist etc.
hope it helps...sorry for the lengthy post...think this is my most lengthy post to date. ;O)