After getting engaged and taking the time to celebrate this milestone with family and friends, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is selecting your wedding date. Once you decide whether your engagement will be lengthy (think eighteen months or more) or brief (around six months), you will have a clearer wedding planning roadmap. With that timeline established, you’ll understand precisely what you need to accomplish, from saving money and booking essential vendors to sending out save-the-dates to your loved ones.
Since each couple determines the duration of their pre-wedding timeline, no two couples spend the same amount of time planning their weddings. Some couples choose to elope after just a few weeks of preparation, while others may take two years or more to perfect their special day. But generally, how long does it actually take to plan a wedding?
Nicole-Natassha Goulding, an award-winning wedding planner, outlines the typical duration for wedding planning—along with guidance on when couples should begin the process, how much time to allocate for important tasks, and considerations for those planning a destination wedding.
Experts indicate that it typically requires about a year to plan a wedding. “I would say the general consensus is that a year in advance is sufficient time for a standard, local wedding,” says Goulding. This timeframe allows couples to comfortably book a venue, hire necessary vendors, select a wedding dress, and more.
While this average reflects the time needed to stage an event from start to finish, be aware that various factors can influence whether a year is practical in your specific area, including seasonal trends and venue availability—and it is entirely possible to plan a wedding within almost any timeframe, depending on the type you’re envisioning.
When Should You Begin Planning Your Wedding?
Many couples and their families often overlook taking a moment to celebrate their engagement before rushing headfirst into potentially stressful wedding planning logistics. For this reason, Goulding recommends that couples refrain from diving into wedding details for at least 30 days. “My advice is for couples to at least wait a month after getting engaged to start planning their wedding,” she shares.
Nonetheless, there are tasks to be accomplished before the actual planning can commence. Couples should reflect on their overall vision for the wedding and their priorities during this initial period. Additionally, it’s crucial to establish a definitive budget and choose a wedding date before reaching out to any vendors. “Your budget will influence all the decisions you make, so having a clear understanding of how much you are willing to spend is essential,” says Goulding. Typically, one month is plenty of time to make these foundational decisions.
What Should You Prioritize First in Wedding Planning?
Not all wedding planning activities are equally important, and some need to be tackled far in advance of others—these are the reasons that wedding planning often requires at least a full year.
Secure a Venue
Securing a venue is one of those crucial tasks. “Finding the perfect venue is definitely one of the most time-consuming activities,” Goulding explains. “From visiting venues to pricing menus and discussing options, I would certainly say it is one of the most labor-intensive chores on the list.” Couples also want to ensure that they can have their preferred wedding date, so starting the search early is essential to avoid conflicts with other couples’ bookings.
Select a Wedding Dress
Finding the wedding dress is another key priority. “A common error brides make is not starting their wedding dress search early enough,” says Goulding. “Sadly, they may end up having to either pay for expedited service or select something available off the rack.”
Book Vendors
The sooner you can secure a vendor you feel strongly about, the better. For instance, if you have a specific celebrant you want to officiate your wedding or a particular band for your reception, it’s best to book them nearly a year ahead of time to ensure their availability on your date. This applies to makeup artists, florists, photographers, and bakers as well.
Send Save-the-Dates
Another early task is sending out save-the-dates. Since people’s schedules can get busy, it’s essential to have your guests reserve the date. This is particularly important for out-of-town attendees who will need to arrange travel plans. It’s also wise to reserve a block of hotel rooms for them as soon as you finalize your wedding date and location.
Choose the Wedding Party
Selecting your wedding party early is crucial, as it allows them to begin organizing your bachelorette celebration and gives them ample time to find outfits for the big day.
Plan Your Honeymoon
If you’re planning to take your honeymoon immediately after the wedding, it’s advisable to finalize those arrangements at least six months ahead to secure favorable rates for flights and accommodations.
How to Stay on Track When Planning Your Wedding
What steps can you take to ensure you’re adhering to your one-year planning timeline? One option is to hire a wedding planner (or coordinator) whose role is to keep you organized and ensure you are completing each task in a timely manner. However, if hiring someone isn’t feasible or you prefer to plan on your own, numerous tools are available to assist you. Wedding planning books and magazines often include checklists designed to help you stay organized. Our comprehensive wedding planning checklist, for instance, is highly detailed, which is exactly what you need. This extensive list outlines precisely when to send out invitations, reach out to a florist, obtain a sample menu from the caterer, and much more.
Goulding notes that many couples also maintain a wedding planning binder or an Excel spreadsheet. She suggests documenting all tasks—big or small—that require completion. “Listing out everything that needs to be accomplished each month is vital to ensure all tasks are completed correctly,” she stresses. She also recommends utilizing apps such as ClickUp and Asana to assist with managing and tracking your timeline. “Project management applications are ideal for wedding planning because they allow for task delegation, list management, and provide an overall view of your wedding planning progress,” Goulding explains.
How Long It Takes to Plan a Destination Wedding
Planning a destination wedding typically requires 12 to 18 months. This extended timeframe is due to several factors, including overcoming language barriers, organizing multiple site visits, and coordinating with a local vendor team that may be in another country. “Destination weddings are a different challenge,” Goulding confirms. “I advise clients to commence planning as soon as possible.” Not only do these weddings pose additional difficulties for couples, but guests also need adequate notice to arrange their travel plans. “They need time off work and to book flights and accommodation,” she adds.
If you’re about to start planning a destination wedding, we strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner experienced in these events. “The first thing on your list should be to engage a destination wedding planner, followed by selecting a location,” Goulding states. “The choice of location can significantly influence various aspects of the planning process, such as selecting your date or determining whether you can have a legally recognized ceremony at your chosen destination.”
How to Pick Your Ideal Wedding Date
Step one: Get engaged. Step two: Organize a wedding. Step three: Live happily ever after. If only this were a straightforward process! Before you can transition from step one to step three, you and your partner will need to invest a significant amount of effort. One of the initial tasks you will need to accomplish? Determine your wedding date, which is arguably the most important item on your wedding planning agenda—after all, every element of your celebration hinges on it.
Choosing a wedding date is not only significant but can also be quite stressful. The silver lining? With guidance from our experts, this vital task doesn’t have to be daunting. Take some time to enjoy your newly engaged state, then sit down together to outline a plan.
The Right Time to Choose a Wedding Date
The sooner, the better! While it’s important to enjoy your engagement, many wedding planners recommend selecting a date within a few weeks after that critical question has been asked—if this feels unattainable, the experts also agree that allowing yourself a few months to begin planning is perfectly reasonable, though they caution that—depending on your engagement timing—this could limit your options to get married within a specific season or even year.
Why is it important to settle on a date as soon as possible? “This early decision helps couples and their families clarify their vision, comprehend costs, and make knowledgeable choices while enjoying the excitement of their engagement,” says event planner Chris Weinberg. If you have a dream venue in mind, it’s crucial to act quickly to reserve your spot. “Early booking is essential, particularly for popular venues and dates, as they often get booked up quickly.”
Event planner Sasha Dutta concurs, noting that she frequently advises couples to select a date one to two months post-engagement, particularly when aiming to marry a year to a year-and-a-half after the engagement.
How to Pick Your Wedding Date in 7 Steps
Before hastily choosing the first wedding date presented by your preferred venue, take into account these expert-recommended strategies for deciding on the perfect day for your celebration.
Think about any significant dates.
You’ll always remember your anniversary if it coincides with your partner’s birthday, the date of your first outing, your parents’ anniversary, or another meaningful reference to your journey together. “Opt for a date that holds sentimental significance for you. It might be in the month of your current anniversary—that’s what I did and I adore it,” shares Dutta.
Engage with your wedding VIPs.
You will want your closest friends and family by your side on your wedding day, so ensure they’re free on your preferred date! Check with parents, grandparents, godparents, and best friends before finalizing your date. “Steer clear of major holidays or busy travel weekends, which could affect attendance. You want your nearest loved ones there, without any travel complications,” recommends wedding planner Amy Abbott.
Agree on your preferred season.
Have you always envisioned a bright spring wedding or a snug winter affair? Your favored season will play a significant role in selecting a wedding date; just keep in mind that the seasons known for having the most stable weather, like fall in the Northeast, tend to be more sought after than those that are more unpredictable, such as early summer or winter in the same area.
Nonetheless, the “ideal” season—at least concerning weather—will differ significantly from one region to another. For instance, in the South, winter is often a favorite time for weddings, as temperatures are more pleasant.
Consider any prominent holidays or events.
If you plan your wedding during Thanksgiving or Christmas, you may receive several “No” RSVPs from guests who can’t make it amid the busy holiday season. Budget also plays a role in this. “Although holiday weekends can be convenient for guests traveling from a distance, they frequently come with elevated travel and accommodation costs, potentially affecting guest participation,” states event planner Chelsye Harp. “Opting for a date outside major holiday weekends can facilitate guest attendance and lessen logistics and expenses for everyone involved.”
It’s vital to verify whether your wedding location will be hosting any significant events on or around your wedding date. For instance, the Super Bowl can close down an entire city, so planning to wed that same week in the same location could result in unnecessary expenses. Even smaller events, such as local fun runs or popular concerts, could create similar challenges.
Additionally, if you’re aware that a close friend is getting married around the same time, it may be wise to consider an alternative date; this can help prevent wedding fatigue for both you and your guests.
Reach out to your preferred venues.
You can’t have a wedding without a venue. Compile a list of your top choices and contact them to check availability for your chosen date or what other dates they might offer. “In-demand venues often fill up 12 to 24 months in advance, particularly during peak seasons, so availability could affect your date selection,” clarifies Harp. “Locking in your dream venue may require some flexibility with dates or choosing a less sought-after season if your date is set. Checking venue calendars early on gives you more options and prevents having to make compromises later on.”
Evaluate your budget.
You might not have a finalized wedding budget mapped out, but having a rough estimate of what you’d like to spend can assist in guiding your date selection. “Off-season months can benefit couples with a tighter budget,” says Dutta; as these months are less popular, costs for venues and vendors may be reduced, making a January or February wedding in the Northeast financially favorable. You may also want to consider getting married on a Friday instead of a Saturday to save more.
Look to astrology.
If you’re interested in astrology, why not seek cosmic guidance? Review your yearly horoscope or plan your wedding according to your zodiac sun or moon sign to help find an ideal time of year for your nuptials.
The Most Popular Wedding Months
June to September are the top choices for outdoor weddings, thanks to the usually pleasant weather, according to Abbott. Naturally, this varies based on your location; different areas of the United States experience distinct climates, so it’s important to think about the typical weather trends in your region when selecting a wedding date with favorable conditions.
If you’re considering a destination wedding, you might have more options regarding your date. “In tropical locations, couples now prefer the period from October to July to take advantage of beautiful landscapes and perfect weather. This means that the best months for destination weddings extend well beyond the usual peak times for domestic weddings,” Abbott notes.
The Least Popular Wedding Months
Harsh weather, holiday seasons, or elevated travel expenses lead to lower popularity for certain months, according to Harp. “In colder parts of the U.S., January and February are frequently avoided because unpredictable winter storms can disrupt travel and cause logistical challenges,” she explains. “On the other hand, July and August can be difficult in hotter areas like the South or Southwest, where extreme heat and humidity can make outdoor ceremonies uncomfortable.” If you’re looking to save some money, it may be beneficial to schedule your wedding during these months, but it’s wise to be ready for potentially poor weather conditions.
For tropical destination weddings, it’s advisable to steer clear of August and September, which Abbott states “are typically not recommended for many tropical destination weddings because of the hurricane season.”