Are you starting your journey of wedding planning? Between picking out the perfect venue, choosing the right photographer, and deciding on decor that’ll make your Pinterest board dreams come true, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. The big question is—when should you actually book all these suppliers? I'm going to break it down so you know exactly when you should be BOOKING your suppliers, the research should start a few months earlier. Also just to note, these dates are averages for a lot of suppliers, with some suppliers being booked up far further in advance. If you just like to be ahead of the game, add 6 months to each of these timelines to almost guarantee availability of most suppliers.
Venue – 12 to 18 Months
The venue is usually the first thing to get booked. If you’ve had your eye on a super popular place, you’ll want to book your date around 12 to 18 months before your big day. This might sound like ages away, but venues book up fast—especially if you’re tying the knot during peak wedding season. That being said, venues are one of the only things you can book for your wedding that offer last minute deals. So if you're fairly laid back about when your wedding will be and don't mind planning things last minute, keep an eye out for last minute deals and prepare to get married within 6-9 months of booking.
Photographer & Videographer – 9 to 12 Months
You’ll want every moment of your wedding day captured, from the teary-eyed “I do’s” to your uncle’s questionable dance moves. Good photographers and videographers are in high demand, so it’s best to reach out to them at least 12 months ahead of time. If you’ve got your heart set on someone specific, don’t wait around—get them booked early to avoid disappointment! Chris & Shazia from Chocolate Chip Photography can be booking clients from 18 months out, however typically their bookings are usually 8-12 months before the big day.
Celebrant - 12 to 18 months
When it comes to choosing a celebrant for your wedding, it’s essential to book early to ensure you secure someone who aligns with your vision for the ceremony. Celebrants are not just there to officiate; they play a crucial role in personalising your vows and guiding you through the ceremony planning process. It’s best to book your celebrant around 12-18 months in advance, as popular celebrants are often in high demand, especially during peak wedding season. Gemma Jay from North East Celebrant says that deciding the type of ceremony you want should be one of the first things you do and therefore should book as soon as possible.
Planner - 12 to 18 months
Hiring a wedding planner can be a game-changer for couples looking to alleviate the stress of coordinating their big day. Wedding planners are experts in organising, managing, and executing all aspects of your wedding, from venue selection and supplier coordination to on-the-day management. If you’re considering working with a planner, it’s best to reach out and book them 12-18 months before your wedding date. This timeframe allows your planner to get involved in key decisions early on, helping you stay within budget and ensuring a cohesive design and schedule for the entire day. For couples planning destination weddings or large-scale celebrations, booking a planner even earlier can be beneficial. Their experience and industry connections will save you time, money, and stress, giving you the freedom to focus on enjoying your journey to ‘I do.’ Emily from Yorkshire Rose Events is working with 6 month timelines for some of her couples however ideally her clients will book 1 year in advance.
Wedding Decor – 6 to 12 Months
Whether you’re dreaming of something classic and simple or over-the-top glam, booking your decor supplier 6 to 12 months in advance is a solid plan. This gives you plenty of time to chat about your vision, choose custom pieces, and make sure everything ties together. Plus, if you’re going for that bespoke look, you’ll want to give your stylist time to work their magic. That being said, I'm currently writing this in the back end of 2024 and I already have bookings for 2026. I do receive lots of last minute enquiries (by last minute I mean anything from 5 months down to 2 weeks from the wedding) and I can sometimes accommodate, but it's often a no so I always encourage people to book me as soon as they know my style is for them.
Caterers – 9 to 12 Months
Caterers, especially the ones with rave reviews and unique menus, tend to book up quickly. Aim for 9 to 12 months to secure your caterer and get that menu tasting booked—because nothing says wedding prep like an afternoon filled with delicious samples!
Wedding Cake – 9 to 12 Months
Similarily with wedding cakes, ideally you should book your cake designer around 9-12 months in advance, particularly if you have your heart set on a popular baker. This gives you enough time to schedule tastings, discuss your vision, and finalize design details. My favourite cake maker Mrs Boucake, receives her bookings 12 to 24 months before the wedding.
Stationery – 6 to 9 Months
When should you start thinking about invites, save-the-dates, and seating plans? Around 6 to 9 months before the big day is a good time to start. If you’re going for a fully custom design, start even earlier. Invitations are often your guests' first impression of your wedding, so go for a design that gives a hint of what your actual day is going to be! Kathryn from Peacock & Fern Event Stationery says her bookings range from 18 months before the big day, to very last minute but that she'd always advise earlier rather than later though.
Wedding Dress – 9 to 12 Months
Finding the wedding dress of your dreams is an exciting process, but it can also take time. Bridal shops often recommend starting your dress search 9 to 12 months before the wedding. The Wedding Dress Company based in Northumberland tell me their clients are buying their dresses 12-18 months before the big day. This gives you time to try on different styles, make any necessary alterations, and (most importantly) have plenty of fittings to make sure the dress is just right. If you’re looking for something custom-made, even more time might be needed to ensure your dream dress is picture-perfect for your big day. Megan from Megan Hadley Bespoke Bridal suggests 9-12 months if you want something bespoke, although she has turned one around in 6 weeks but doesn't recommend it! She also recommends booking alterations as soon as your dress is ordered as most will be fully booked 6+ months in advance, and that your first fitting will be 8-12 weeks before the wedding.
Musicians & DJ's – 9 to 12 Months
If your reception is going to include a packed dance floor, then you’ll want to book your entertainment early—especially if you have your heart set on a live band or a particular DJ. Popular musicians can get booked up 9 to 12 months in advance, so once you’ve found the perfect band to get your guests dancing, don’t hesitate! Having a musician play throughout your wedding is also a popular choice and Harpist, Angelina says her bookings range from between 18 months down to 6 months before the big day, with most bookings happening around a year before the wedding. Similarly, wedding pianist Jane Gray starts to get booked up 18 months in advance.
Entertainment – 9 to 12 Months
Hiring a magician for your wedding is a great way to add a little fun and surprise, especially during the cocktail hour or as ice-breaker entertainment. Magicians are becoming increasingly popular at weddings, so aim to book them 9 to 12 months in advance. Magician, Danny Wragg, comments that he usually starts booking clients 9-12 in advance however has noticed an increase in popularity for magicians at weddings and is taking bookings for up to 2 years in advance.
Florist – 6 to 9 Months
If fresh flowers are part of your vision, your florist will need time to plan, design, and source those beautiful blooms. Aim to book around 6 to 9 months in advance to give them enough time to create floral magic. If you’re going for dried or preserved flowers (hello, sustainability!), chat with your florist about when they’ll need to start working on your pieces.
Hair & Makeup – 6 to 9 Months
If you want to look and feel like a million dollars on your wedding day, your hair and makeup artist will be a key part of your dream team. The top stylists can get booked up fast, so reach out around 6 to 9 months ahead. You’ll also have plenty of time for trial runs and to fine-tune your look. Emma from Emma's Chair typically takes bookings from 6 to 12 months before the wedding although couples are also booking her 18 months beforehand.
The Perks of Booking Early
Booking your wedding suppliers early isn’t just about avoiding losing out on those amazing suppliers who are already booked—it’s also about giving yourself more time to plan, relax, and enjoy the process. When you’ve locked in your key suppliers, you can focus on all the fun details (like cake and menu tastings!) and trust that the major things are already sorted. Plus, if you have specific ideas for decor or want to mix-and-match certain elements—like custom floral arrangements or personalised props, booking early gives your suppliers time to bring your vision to life.
Prioritise What Matters To You When Deciding When To Book Wedding Suppliers
Every wedding is different, so it’s totally fine to prioritise what matters most to you. If you’re obsessed with decor (like me!), get that booked early. If music is the top of your list, focus on securing that band or DJ. Once you’ve nailed down the things that matter most, the rest will fall into place.
If you want a head start on finding your wedding suppliers, or you just need some recommendations of key suppliers you're yet to find, get a copy of My Little Black Book of Wedding Suppliers here.
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