The Perfect Venue Booking Timeline: Planning Your Dream Wedding

Wedding venues can book up fast, so it's a good idea to book your venue around nine to 14 months in advance. Start researching venues a month or two before you need to book one, so you have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

Book 9-14 months in advance

Wedding venues can book up fast. With that in mind, you should book your venue around nine to 14 months in advance. You should start researching venues a month or two before you need to book one. This way, you’ll have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

Depending on your preferred wedding month, you can adjust this timeline as follows:

• June, September, and October weddings: Book your venue 12 to 14 months in advance.
• August, May, and July weddings: Book your venue nine to 12 months in advance.
• December, November, and April weddings: Book your venue six to nine months in advance.
• February, March, and January weddings: Book your venue three to six months in advance.

Last-minute bookings often result in higher rates. Likewise, many venues’ availability will be limited if you wait too long. With fewer options to choose from, you may have to settle for a more expensive venue than you would have otherwise.

Many people begin looking to book their wedding venues about 12 months or more before their wedding date, but you don’t always have to reserve that far in advance. If you’re considering a larger facility that can accommodate multiple events at one time or somewhere off the beaten path, you may even be able to score a reservation as little as six months in advance.

Research venues a month or two before

Wedding venues can book up fast. With that in mind, you should book your venue around nine to 14 months in advance. You should start researching venues a month or two before you need to book one. This way, you’ll have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

Different seasons of the year may bring various considerations on when to reserve your venue. Spring: Late spring is one of the most popular wedding dates, so venues will be competitive around this time. August, May, and July weddings: Book your venue nine to 12 months in advance. December, November, and April weddings: Book your venue six to nine months in advance. February, March, and January weddings: Book your venue three to six months in advance.

If you’re considering a larger facility that can accommodate multiple events at one time or somewhere off the beaten path, you may even be able to score a reservation as little as six months in advance.

Finally, booking your wedding venue in advance can help you save money. Last-minute bookings often result in higher rates. Likewise, many venues’ availability will be limited if you wait too long. With fewer options to choose from, you may have to settle for a more expensive venue than you would have otherwise.

As you can see, it’s essential to book your wedding venue early. However, this isn’t always the case. Check out the general booking timeline below for information on when to reserve your venue and vendors, but know that every wedding is different, so what works for one couple may not necessarily be perfect for you.

Consider venue type and season

Wedding venues can book up fast, so it's important to start researching venues a month or two before you need to book one. This way, you'll have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to book your wedding venue nine to 14 months in advance. Depending on your preferred wedding month, you can adjust this timeline as follows:

• June, September, and October weddings: Book your venue 12 to 14 months in advance.
• August, May, and July weddings: Book your venue nine to 12 months in advance.
• December, November, and April weddings: Book your venue six to nine months in advance.
• February, March, and January weddings: Book your venue three to six months in advance.

If you’re considering a larger facility that can accommodate multiple events at one time or somewhere off the beaten path, you may even be able to score a reservation as little as six months in advance.

Different seasons of the year may bring various considerations on when to reserve your venue. Late spring is one of the most popular wedding dates, so venues will be competitive around this time.

Start planning early for a DIY wedding

Wedding venues can book up fast, so it's a good idea to start planning early for a DIY wedding. Research venues a month or two before you need to book one, so you'll have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to book your wedding venue nine to 14 months in advance. Depending on your preferred wedding month, you can adjust this timeline as follows:

• June, September, and October weddings: Book your venue 12 to 14 months in advance.
• August, May, and July weddings: Book your venue nine to 12 months in advance.
• December, November, and April weddings: Book your venue six to nine months in advance.
• February, March, and January weddings: Book your venue three to six months in advance.

If you’re considering a larger facility that can accommodate multiple events at one time or somewhere off the beaten path, you may even be able to score a reservation as little as six months in advance.

Many venues’ availability will be limited if you wait too long. With fewer options to choose from, you may have to settle for a more expensive venue than you would have otherwise. Booking your wedding venue in advance can also help you save money as last-minute bookings often result in higher rates.

Book 6 months in advance for a larger venue

Wedding venues can book up fast. With that in mind, you should book your venue around nine to 14 months in advance. You should start researching venues a month or two before you need to book one. This way, you’ll have enough time to vet each venue, ask important questions, and find one that checks all of the boxes.

If you’re considering a larger facility that can accommodate multiple events at one time or somewhere off the beaten path, you may even be able to score a reservation as little as six months in advance. August, May, and July weddings: Book your venue nine to 12 months in advance. December, November, and April weddings: Book your venue six to nine months in advance. February, March, and January weddings: Book your venue three to six months in advance.

Booking your wedding venue in advance can help you save money. Last-minute bookings often result in higher rates. Likewise, many venues’ availability will be limited if you wait too long. With fewer options to choose from, you may have to settle for a more expensive venue than you would have otherwise.

As you can see, it’s essential to book your wedding venue early. However, this isn’t always the case. If you’re planning for a lavish wedding with lots of moving parts, a professional wedding planner can be an excellent idea. Check out the general booking timeline below for information on when to reserve your venue and vendors, but know that every wedding is different, so what works for one couple may not necessarily be perfect for you.

Frequently asked questions