When do I need to book my wedding suppliers?

Booking your wedding suppliers at the right time is really important. At the end of the day you don’t want to be faced with the disappointment of your favourite band or photographer already being booked as you left it a little too late. But that doesn’t mean you need to go into panic mode and book everything immediately, you need to spend time researching, working out your budget and raising the necessary deposits.

Here’s a rough guide as to when you should be thinking of booking our main suppliers so you can dedicate the correct amount of time researching each service. Don’t panic if you’re planning a wedding in a shorter period of time, there will always be suppliers available, just make sure you contact your preferred vendors as soon as possible to check availability.

Over 12 months

1. Venue

The first thing you need to book is your wedding venue. You can’t really book any other suppliers until the venue is secured as their availability may dictate your date. Visit. few venues and then make your decision. Get that depot down and you know your dream wedding is well on the way. Most people book their venue 2 years (or more) years from their wedding date. Need some help finding a venue, have a look here for a handful of wedding venues in Staffordshire.

2. Photographer

Usually the photographer is booked soon after the venue has been secured, I personally have bookings in the diary as far ahead as 2.5 years. That said it isn’t unusual to take a few bookings for weddings the same year. I think the average booking length is around 18 months. If the photographer you’re interested in is a recommended supplier at a few busy venues in the area its certainly worth getting him/her secured sooner rather than later. Top tip – feeling overwhelmed about the number of photographers out there and don’t know who to choose. Check their blog pages to understand the style they shoot, this is far more important than the portfolio page or what style they say they shoot. When looking t the blog posts ask if that style is what you would like for your wedding. It’s worth stretching your budget a bit for the one you want, the pictures, rings and each other are all you’ll have left in 10 years time.

3. Videographer

If you’re planning on having a videographer get them booked around 12 months before the date. In the past videographers were booked late when couples know what budget they had left over. Those times have changed and videographers are now booked soon after the photographer. The videographers I work with regularly are now booking up their year just as early as I am. Top tip – If you’ve got your photographer booked ask them for videographer recommendations. It’s important the styles blend well together and they’ll be able to recommend videographers who they work with well on the day.

Around 9 – 12 months

3. Wedding dress

If you’re planning on wearing a wedding dress its worth starting to look fairly early. Some people find the dress they love at the first shop, others take a few trips to different shops before they find the one. Remember the dress shop may need time to make alterations and have you back in for a couple of fittings, this isn’t something you can leave until last minute. Top tip – take someone brutally honest with you choose your dress.

4. Book registrar

You need to book your registrar fairly early too. In fact it wouldn’t hurt to see if they’ll confirm your wedding soon after booking the venue. I know some registrars will take the booking up to 2 years before the date. The reason you need to book the registrar is to make sure you get the ceremony time you want, as the registrar will do a few weddings each day. If you’re unsure what time to go for check out this blog post about timings.

5. Band or DJ

Again this is something you need to decide and get booked in fairly early. Do you want a band or a DJ, and then what style. If you’re looking for a generic wedding DJ there will be less rush, but if there is a particular style you’re after I’d suggest getting them secured in good time.

6. venue stylist, hair and make up

Get your florist booked fairly early too. Some of the more popular venue dressers can really get booked up these days. You need to book your hair and make up to allow enough time to schedule in your trials before the wedding. Remember over peak season suppliers are all very busy with weddings, so they may have limited time of trials over the summer months.

6 – 9 months

7. Suits

If you’re wearing a suit it’s time to get that sorted around 9 months before the date. Adjustments may need to be made and you need to allow time for all the guys to get to the tailors for them to be measured and fitted. When it comes to collect your suit don’t make the mistake I made and leave it until the day before your wedding. When I got home my waistcoat had no buttons on it so we had to zoom 25 miles back to the shop to have them sewn on!

8. Cake

It’s a good idea to visit some wedding fairs when looking for a cake. Not only will you be able to speak to a couple of different vendors at the fair but you’ll be able to taste their cakes too..surely thats enough reason to go in itself!

9. Accommodation

One people often forget but if you plan on staying in a hotel close to your venue, or want to block book a load of hotels room for your guests get this done early to make sure your bag enough rooms.

10. Other entertainment

Now it’s time to think of other entertainment. Such as a magician, acoustic singer or string quartette. Its a great idea to plan some lawn games or something to keep the guests occupied and having fun. This blog will give you some ideas.

11. Wedding rings

Again this is another item that may need some adjustment so allow enough time for them to be made and adjusted if necessary.

12. Stationary

3 – 6 months

Usually by this point most of the big things are all sorted but its worth starting to think about ordering your confetti, table plan and gifts for your key players.

Remember the above isn’t an exhaustive list. You may need to think about wedding cars, jewellery, bridesmaids dresses etc. I’ve tried to cover some of the main suppliers and you can use that as a guide for the other suppliers and items you may need.

Can I plan a wedding in 12 months?

Absolutely yes. You can comfortably do it in less time than that. The above is just guidance for those who have the luxury of time and like to get things booked in earlier than later.