When to book your wedding vendors
Are you ready to begin your wedding planning process? This may seem like it is a long or overwhelming journey you are about to begin, but that is why I am here to support you with my wedding vendor booking timeline!
The key to a seamless wedding planning process is staying as organized as possible as you move through your wedding vendor timeline and booking your vendors. When you are making decisions, my best tip would be to make sure you read online reviews, reach out and schedule interviews with any vendors you are considering booking to ensure that person is the perfect fit for your wedding day!
You can customize my wedding vendor timeline to make it fit your wedding needs, but here is a general sense of when you need to book your people.
1 - 2 years before your wedding
Venue
This is a big one! On the wedding vendor timeline this is highest on the list of priorities, because until you book your venue you haven’t technically “set a date”. Whether you decide to have your wedding all in one location or have a separate location for your ceremony and reception venues, it’s super important to book your venue(s) ASAP!
1 - 1.5 years before your wedding
Photographer
Because venues are normally booked in advance, couples often reach out once their venue is picked, which means that photographers fill up their year pretty early on as well. If there is a photographer you are dying to have, I always suggest reaching out sooner rather than later and see when they are opening up their bookings for the following year(s). Every photographer is different so open communication is always key.
Videographer
Your wedding videographer will capture the most special moments of your day through motion and sound, which is essentially a trailer of your motion picture wedding. Similar to photographers, videographers can book up really quickly so make sure you begin your research sooner than later!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
10 - 12 months before your wedding
Wedding Planner
If you are hiring a wedding planner, they can guide you through the full wedding-planning process and even help you through the vendor shopping process! When you hire a wedding planner that usually comes along with a list of vendors that they have worked with before and trust to make your wedding day even better.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
Music and Entertainment
Your wedding band or DJ will bring together your reception ambiance. No matter which direction you go make sure you have lots of time to find someone that you love! Sometimes your venue will suggest their preferred music and entertainment vendors, but this is something your wedding planner will manage when booking your venue to ensure you find the perfect fit and not just what your wedding venue recommends!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
Double the Pleasure (band)
QA Entertainment (DJ)
6 - 12 months before your wedding
Floral
Ready to make your Pinterest flower arrangements come to life? It is super important to find a florist that you love, understands your wedding style and how the flowers will tell that full story, and your budget.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist
You will be looking back at your photos from your wedding day for years to come, so you want to ensure you look AND feel your absolute best on your wedding day! Make sure you get lots of inspo photos to share with your hair stylist and makeup artist prior to your trials a few months before your wedding to ensure they can bring your vision to life.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
Officiant
Well you definitely can’t make it legal without an officiant, so I’d say this one is pretty important!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
9 months before your wedding
Stationary (save-the-dates and invitations)
If you are planning on a destination wedding, I would recommend sending out your save-the-date as soon as your wedding location is booked (a year in advance If possible), but if your wedding is local I would recommend 9 months ahead of time!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
7 months before your wedding
Baker
They usually only take a certain number of orders per week, so it is important to find the cake baker that can bring your vision to life as far in advance if possible. Once you have booked your baker you will be able to get to the yummy part of the process of scheduling a tasting to pick your flavour!
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
An intimate wedding & elopement photographer who captures genuine, authentic moments and photos that evoke emotion and comfort.
I’m always ready to hop on a plane and adventure with you!
Wedding photographer based in Toronto & GTA.