One of the first decisions you'll make after you get engaged—once you've basked in the moment and taken time to mark the milestone with family and friends, that is—is when to get married. After you establish whether you're going to have a long (think eighteen months or more) or short (six months or so) engagement, you'll have a clearer sense of your wedding roadmap. Once that timeline is set, you'll know exactly what you'll need to accomplish within its bounds, from saving up and booking priority vendors to sending out save-the-dates to your loved ones.
Because every duo sets the length of their own pre-wedding timeline, no amount of time couples spend planning their wedding is truly the same. Some elope after just a few weeks of preparing, while other couples spend two years or more getting their big day just right. But, on average, how long does it really take to plan a wedding?
Ahead, Nicole-Natassha Goulding, an award-winning wedding planner, shares the average length of the wedding planning timeline—and explains when couples should start the process, how much time to allot for all those major to-dos, and what to consider if you're planning a destination event.
How Long It Takes to Plan a Wedding
It takes about one year to plan a wedding, experts say. “I would say the general consensus is one year in advance is enough time to plan your standard, local wedding," says Goulding. This timeframe gives couples an ample window to book a venue, hire necessary vendors, find a wedding dress, and more.
So many couples and their families forget to pause and celebrate their engagement before rushing into sometimes-stressful wedding planning logistics. That's why Goulding tells couples to wait at least 30 days before diving into wedding details. “My advice is for couples to at least wait a month after getting engaged to start planning their wedding," she says.
However, there are tasks that need to be completed before the actual planning process begins. Couples should discuss their general vision for their wedding and their priorities during this time. You also need to set a firm budget and pick a wedding date before approaching any vendors. “Your budget will determine all the decisions you make, so having a clear and defined idea of how much you are willing to spend is key,” says Goulding. One month is typically a sufficient amount of time to make these initial decisions.
What to Do First When Wedding Planning
Not all wedding planning tasks are created equal, and some need to be done long before any others—and are the reasons why wedding planning usually takes at least one full year.
Securing a venue is one of them. “Searching for the perfect venue definitely is one of the most time-consuming tasks,” Goulding says. “From venue visits to pricing out menus and discussing options, I would definitely say it is one of the most laborious tasks on the list.” Couples also want to make sure they get their first choice of wedding date, so it’s important to search early before the calendar is blocked off by other couples.
Another priority is the wedding dress. “A common mistake brides make is not shopping for their wedding dress early enough,” says Goulding. “Unfortunately, they are then forced to either pay expedited rates or choose something off the rack.”
Hire Vendors
The more you care about having a particular vendor, the earlier the company should be booked. For example, if you really want a celebrant to officiate your wedding or a particular wedding band at your reception, book them as close to a year in advance as possible to make sure they are available on your date. The same goes for makeup artists, florists, photographers, and bakers.
Send Save the Dates
Another task to check off early is sending out save-the-dates. People get busy, and you want your guests to block off the day in their calendars. This is especially important for out-of-town guests who will need to make travel arrangements. Reserve a block of hotel rooms for them as soon as you have your wedding date and location, too.
Choose the Wedding Party
It’s also important to choose your wedding party early and ask them to be in your wedding. That way they can get started on planning your bachelorette party and have plenty of time to find their big-day outfits.
Plan Your Honeymoon
If you’re going on your honeymoon right after your wedding, consider those details at least six months in advance to get good deals on flights and hotels.
