When to Reach Out to Vendors

Go for it! We booked our venue 15 months out (3 months ago) and have tried to book as much as possible since. My HMUA is booked, the officiant has been asked (my brother), we're looking into florists now, and the only reason I'm not worried about finding a baker now is because my venue contracts that out so we just pick between a few that they have and our cost is included in the venue. I think you can and should book any of those things as soon as it makes sense for you since they're just more items to cross off your list.

You should start working on it. The sooner you start, the more options available. Why not get the jump on it?

It's never too EARLY! Even if you're not really ready to BOOK anything, it's always nice to be prepared - get some information, see what places you like and don't like (not to mention, for Saturday weddings many places book up waaaaay in advance!) and find out ballpark pricing. The more information you get early, the easier it is to narrow things down as you go.

Definitely start looking now. If anything you’ll be able to see if they have your date available and they can also let you know when a good time is to reach back out to start finalizing things.

We started doing venue tours 18 months out! Our engagement will be 19 months total. For our wedding...

Venue: Booked 14 months out

Photographer: Booked 14 months out

Hair & Makeup: Booked 13 months out

Florist: Booked 14 months out

DJ: Booked 11 months out

Videographer: Booked 10 months out

Month of Coordinator: Booked 13 months out

Hotel Block: Booked 12 months out (2 blocks)

Dress Purchased: 10 months out

Bridal Party asked & apparel picked out: 14 months out

Grooms Party asked: 10 months out

We plan on booking our caterer by 9 months out (this month), baker & transportation by 6 months out, our Save the Dates go out next week, I'm looking into rehearsal dinner venues, we have started buying presents for our wedding party & some decor too. Our MOH & BM are already planning our bachelor/bachelorette parties too.

Never too early book. We got engaged October of last year and had most of the major vendors booked by January of this year for our August 2019 wedding. I think we booked our officiant about 15 months out.

15 months out is January 2020? As a fellow January bride you shouldn't have too much trouble with vendors booking up even if you wait.
However there is no harm in starting now and at least gathering information. I'm getting married this January and we only had 12 months and it's been the fastest 12 months ever! It goes by so fast and i thought I had plenty of time!!
But for the most part all the vendors I've contacted have been available with the exception of a couple of hotels downtown.
Im still searching for a florist though and I thought this would be easy!

I would say if they are open start booking. We don’t get married till May 2020, and already have venue, ceremony, photographer, videographer, cake vendors, dj, and hair and makeup! I thought I was rushing it but all my vendors were almost full!

View Quoted Comment We are February 1st 2020, but super close to any January timelines. I doubt I have to worry too much about people being booked up this far out but at the same time I worry since there isn’t a whole lot of options out where we are getting married (Yosemite). If we were getting married in The Bay Area or LA then I’d have a surplus of options. But most vendors I have a small handful to choose from (that wouldn’t included travel fees for being over 50 miles away).

The fear of of the unknown is real haha

View Quoted Comment This is SUPER helpful. Thanks!!

It's never too soon to reach out to vendors. You might be surprised that some are already booked for your big day.

View Quoted Comment So start looking 😊Ease your fears and get ahead of the game

At least book your venue. Certain venues book fast. If you really want a certain photographer, look for one soon too. My photographer booked out two years in advance for certain dates.

The sooner the better!

Never too eager! We got all of our major vendors booked 12 months out and we are now 10 months out and looking at cakes and flowers! They will definitely appreciate you being prompt and you don't want to wait too long and they get overbooked! I got so many compliments from people thanking me for giving them a lot of notice

I was done with the majority of my planning over a year out from the date. Early bird catches the worm. I also was able to score amazing discounts for planning early and the choices were much greater at the beginning. You don't want to wait and end up missing your chance with the vendor that you really want. The sooner you get through all that planing the sooner you can sit back and relax.

Go ahead and start reaching out! You'd be surprised by how many places already have things booked for a year or more in advance. I cant tell you how many times I've inquired about my wedding date and was told "thanks for your interest but we've been booked for a year!"

15 months may be a bit early for some things, you do not want your vendors to forget about you. I would wait a few months.