How long does it take to plan a wedding?

Ours isn't till October 2019 but I want to have so much done that I'm told I'm nuts.

I'm at 13 months and vendors need to all be locked down pretty much 12 to 10 months out these days, particularly if you are getting married in the summer. A off-season wedding you could probably get away with less time.

We are 80 days away now! We got engaged in November and i had all major vendors booked by the end of January, except DOC who I booked In April. It can be done , just do your research!

It depends what you're looking for! I gave myself 18 months for a mostly DIY pieced together wedding. Im finding almost every vendor I contact is free for my 10/2019 wedding and I've been able to do a few things at a time to avoid stress.

If you're more into an all-inclusive type venue you'd need alot less time, and if you're not terribly picky about vendors, you'll be fine with 9 months or so. I wouldn't suggest less than that if your guest count is over 150. It can be done, but it won't be easy!

We decided on a year long engagement (getting married may 2019) and so far we're kicking butt on the planning even from halfway across the country! I think it can definitely be done depending on the popularity of your venues/vendors.

I was engaged for over two years, but we only started planning/booking about a year out. We also got married in an off peak season (summer, where we were married), so we had our pick of vendors and venues. So of course I think a year is plenty enough time. If you are in a place where venues get booked two years out, you may have to adjust your date.

I’m thinking Sept. the venue that I want has the availability. I’m just thinking about everything else. Will a year be enough time to get everything else together?

Hi Tyiesha!

Agreeing with the others, it really depends! One year is definitely doable, and it really just depends how much time you want to solidify and book all of your details.

Keeping in mind: For some details, like venues and dresses, having those booked a year or so out is best. Save the dates don't go out until 6-8 months prior to the wedding date, so being a year out still gives you time for those, too. Getting started & tackling the big details first, and then the rest, one at a time is key . However, if you want more of a buffer & time to prepare and plan your wedding, a longer engagement does help.

How big of a wedding are you planning? How many are on your guest list?

So we are doing a destination wedding in Punta Cana in May of 2021. I plan to book it 2 yrs out and send save the dates within a month or 2 of booking so guests have plenty of time to plan, book & pay on their trip and lock in cheaper rates. I’ll then send formal invites a year out as reminders. I know I’m starting the planning early but sometimes people need more then a year to plan a vacation. Time flies and I know it’ll be here and gone before I know it.

I’ve been engaged 5 months and I’m already bored. It doesn’t take that long.

I think that's plenty of time! I had 13 months to plan mine and I felt like some months I had nothing to do.

Depends on what you're looking for. I planned a small DW and home reception in 10 months and honestly could have done it in less time if I had to.

Daughter's wedding will be 19 months after they got engaged. We had all the major vendors reserved within 3 months of engagement, and then there's been about 10 months with very little to do. We're in the last four months and things are starting to pick up again now. I think the big determinants of how long you need are the availability of your venue and major vendors (e.g., photography, caterer, etc.). If you can book those, you can do everything else and be good to go.

I planned a huge formal wedding, 100 person rehearsal, brunch with a lot of out of town guests working a full time job in 7 months. A year is plenty!

FH and I got engaged November 15, 2017 and we're getting married next month on October 21st. So about 11 months for planning. We're doing an unconventional wedding so finding vendors wasn't an issue.

I think a year is enough time if you're ready to start now and focus on planning a lot. We had 19 months, and I'm super happy we did. We were able to focus on work & continuing education courses & buying a house while wedding planning!

You know we were bound to have stats on this

Though 87% of couples started at least some aspect of planning ahead of the actual proposal, the average couple is engaged for 15 months. Additionally over 85% of couples start discussing their wedding preferences—like guest count and type of venue they like—prior to getting engaged.

Personally, I took closer to two years, but it can certainly be done in much less time, especially if you know what you want and vendors in your area don't book up too early.