Not leaving enough time to plan various parts of your wedding could result in having to compromise and give up parts of the day that are important to you. If you recently got engaged (congrats!) then you might be wondering exactly how much time you need to plan your wedding.

 

This guide is divided up into important parts of planning, so that you can know how much time each stage will require on average. Keep in mind that all of these timelines are estimates and can depend on a variety of factors. It’s always best to give yourself more time than not enough!

Your Venue

Picking out a wedding venue is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of preparing for a wedding. Some people book their venue years in advance. There isn’t one strict timeline when it comes to booking your venue, as it generally depends on the venue’s schedule and availability.

 

In general, it’s recommended to book your venue at least one year before the wedding. If you’re going to get married at the height of wedding season, then you may want to give yourself a few extra months.

Your Wedding Dress

Buying a wedding dress is a huge moment and it’s one that’s often crucial to the wedding timeline. Purchasing your wedding dress eight to twelve months in advance can be a good way to make sure that you’ll get it in time and be able to have any necessary alterations made.

 

It’s typically recommended that your wedding party gets their outfits around the same time that the wedding dress is purchased. However, because it’s less likely that the wedding party will require alterations, getting their outfits can be done further down the timeline.

Wedding Flowers

Wedding flowers are a great way to add some color and style to your big day. While this typically isn’t the most time-sensitive purchase, it’s best to order your flowers as soon as possible. Speaking with your florist and finalizing your order six to eight months before your wedding is typically a good rule of thumb. If you have your flowers picked out before this point, go ahead and let your florist know. From other wedding bookings to getting seasonal blooms, there’s a lot of planning that goes into getting the perfect bouquet.

Invitations

A wedding invitation is the first thing that an individual will receive as part of your big day. For that reason, it’s an important detail to consider. If you already have the details set for your wedding, then consider sending out save the dates as soon as possible. This is the best way to make sure that all of your guests will have that date blocked off on their calendars.

 

If you’ve already sent out save the dates, then you can wait to send the formal invitations until two or three months before the wedding. This is a great way to make sure that people RSVP on time and that your invitations will be printed correctly before you need to send them out.