Your Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline & Vendor Booking Guide
Newly engaged and wondering when to book your wedding vendors? You're not alone. One of the most common questions brides ask is, "How early should I book my wedding vendors?" The answer depends on your wedding date, location, and priorities, but having a clear wedding planning timeline can save you stress and help you secure your dream team of professionals!
Whether you're planning a destination wedding or staying local, our vendor booking guide will walk you through the ideal timeline for hiring each and every wedding vendor. Plus, we’re sharing tips to help you avoid the most common wedding planning pitfalls!
First Things First: Book Your Venue and Date (12–18+ Months Out)
Before reaching out to most wedding vendors, you’ll need a confirmed wedding date, and that starts with your venue! Once you’ve selected where and when you’re tying the knot, you can begin hiring other pros who need that date to check their availability.
Book these wedding vendors immediately:
Wedding Venue
Wedding Planner
Photographer and Videographer
Lock in Your Core Vendors Early (9–12 Months Out)
Once you’ve secured your wedding date and venue, it’s time to start building your vendor team! Every wedding vendor plays a vital role in bringing your day to life, and this stage of planning is all about locking in the professionals who will help create the experience you’ve been envisioning.
Keep in mind, many vendors begin booking weddings up to a year in advance, especially for spring and fall dates, so reaching out early gives you more options and peace of mind!
Book next:
Caterer
Hair and makeup artists
Live Band or DJ
Pro Tip: If you’re planning your wedding in a popular area like Charleston, DC, Baltimore, or Northern Virginia, book your high-demand vendors early!
Include the following keywords in your searches!
“best Charleston wedding photographer”
“DC wedding makeup artist”
“wedding DJ near me”
The Design Team (6–9 Months Out)
Now that you’ve booked the vendors who create the foundation of your day, it’s time to focus on the team that will help you design and execute the vibes you’re going for!
Book next:
Florist
Rentals (tables, chairs, linens, décor)
Lighting
Custom signage, stationery, or calligraphy
This is also a great time to schedule a trial with your hair and makeup team so you can start to iron out your perfect bridal look!
The Sweet Details (3–6 Months Out)
As your wedding day gets closer, now it’s time to handle the finer touches that add flavor, literally and figuratively, to your celebration!
Book the following:
Cake or dessert vendor
Transportation
Rehearsal dinner venue
Photo booth, cigar bar, or other specialty entertainment
Even though these bookings can wait until the mid-stage of planning, don’t put them off too long, popular vendors still book up fast!
The Final Countdown (1–3 Months Out)
You’re in the home stretch! At this stage, you’ll finalize guest counts, confirm vendor timelines, and wrap up any last-minute details.
Things to confirm:
Favors or welcome bags
Timeline final walk-throughs with your vendors
Touch base with your glam squad about any final beauty needs
This is also the perfect time to pamper yourself, think facials, teeth whitening, or a spa day with your crew! (Keep in mind, do not introduce any new kinds of products or procedures at this point. Follow this link to learn more about our pre-wedding preparations recommendations!)
Bonus Tips for Stress-Free Booking
Start with what matters to you the most
If there’s a vendor you absolutely must have (say, a photographer you’ve followed for years or a band you saw live and loved), book them early, even before the general timeline suggests!
Stay organized
Keep a planning spreadsheet or checklist that tracks who you've contacted, their availability, deposit due dates, and more.
Trust your gut
Choose vendors who feel aligned with your personality and vision. Your wedding day team should make you feel excited, not overwhelmed!
Planning your wedding should be joyful, not stressful. The right vendors will not only bring your dream day to life but also make the planning process more seamless and fun. So book early, trust your instincts, and get ready for the best day ever!
And when you’re ready to secure your on-site bridal hair and makeup team, follow this link to get the ball rolling with our team of professionals today!
