Planning A Wedding: Is 15 Months Enough Time?

Planning a wedding can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months, with the average engagement length being 15 months. It is recommended that couples give themselves at least 12 months to plan, especially if they are organizing a full wedding with all the trimmings. The first step is to set a budget, which will inform all other decisions, followed by securing a venue, as this will determine the wedding date. With the rising costs of weddings, the earlier you can book vendors, the better, as it can save you money and guarantee their availability. While there is no definitive answer to whether 15 months is too early, starting early will give you a head start on organizing everything and allow you to enjoy the process without rushing.

Budgeting and saving

With an average engagement length of 15 months, it's certainly not too early to start planning your wedding. In fact, the earlier you start, the better, especially when it comes to budgeting and saving.

Your budget will determine all the decisions you make, so having a clear and defined idea of how much you are willing to spend is key. It is recommended that you take the first month of your 15-month engagement to plan your budget and decide what you need to do.

The first step is to decide on the guest list. The number of guests will have a massive impact on your budget, as there is a per-head cost for food and liquor, which are among the biggest expenses in a typical wedding budget. The more guests you have, the more your budget will need to be. On average, $70 a head should cover catering, cake, booze, and a small gift. If you're looking to cut costs, reducing the number of guests is one of the most effective ways to do so.

The next step is to decide on a venue. This is one of the most time-consuming tasks, as it involves venue visits, pricing out menus, and discussing options. It's important to search early before your chosen date is blocked off by other couples.

With your guest list and venue decided, you can start to think about the other elements of your budget. This includes:

• Wedding attire and beauty: Shop for your dress and suit at least a year before the wedding, as designers and tailors may require six to eight months to have them custom-made and shipped.
• Wedding bands: You'll want to find something in your price range that fits your engagement ring.
• Wedding planner: A wedding planner can be extremely helpful in keeping you on budget and saving money, as they can help you leverage their relationships with vendors to get the best price. They can also help you understand what details are worth the cost and what isn't necessary. It is recommended that you save 4% of your total budget to cover the cost of a wedding planner.
• Photography and videography: Great wedding photos are a must, so this is an area that gets a large chunk of your budget. Some couples opt out of videography to save money. Some photographers offer package deals that include both photography and videography or discounts when booking both services.
• Flowers and decor: It's easy to quickly blow your budget on flowers and decor, especially if you don't have a great understanding of the costs. It is recommended that you allocate 10% of your overall budget to flowers and decor, including personal bouquets, ceremony decorations, cocktail hour florals, centerpieces, and other non-floral decorations.
• Stationery: This includes save-the-date cards, invitations, ceremony programs, menus, thank-you cards, and more. It is recommended that you reserve 1% of your budget for your stationery suite.
• Officiant: If you're hiring an officiant to legally marry you, allocate about 1% of your budget to cover these costs.
• Entertainment: If you have leftover funds, you can consider unique entertainment experiences, like live painters, dancers, additional musical performers, poets, tarot card readers, caricature artists, interactive food or drink servers, and more. It is recommended that you set aside 3% of your budget for this.
• Transportation: If you want to hire transportation to ensure your guests get to the right venue at the right time, save at least 2% of your wedding budget for this.
• Gifts for the wedding party: If you plan to cover the cost of attire or beauty for the wedding party, make sure to allocate additional funds in your budget.

Throughout the planning process, it's important to be mindful of hidden costs and unexpected expenses. For example, you may want to include a photo booth, which can cost a couple of hundred bucks, or upgrade your entertainment or culinary experience.

To stay organized, you can use online tools and apps, such as wedding planning apps that offer customized checklists and vendor search functions. You can also use budgeting tools to help break down the total cost into smaller categories.

Remember, the earlier you start planning and budgeting, the more time you'll have to save and ensure that your special day is everything you want it to be.

Choosing a venue

Fifteen months is a common length of time for wedding planning, and it's certainly not too early to start planning your wedding. In fact, the earlier the better. You'll have more vendors to choose from, and you may save money by booking further in advance.

You'll also want to consider the size of the venue and whether it can accommodate your guest list. The guest list and budget are closely linked, as the more guests you have, the more budget you'll need. It's a good idea to create your guest list early on so you can choose a venue that suits the number of people you plan to invite.

When it comes to finding the perfect venue, it can be a time-consuming task. From visiting venues to discussing pricing and options, it's definitely one of the most labour-intensive parts of wedding planning. It's important to start looking early, as venues can book up quickly, especially if you have your heart set on a particular date.

If you have a specific venue in mind, they may not open their bookings more than two years in advance. It's worth researching venues and reaching out to inquire about future availability. Some venues may be willing to accept bookings further in advance if you're able to pay a deposit or a portion of the fees upfront.

Once you've secured your venue, you'll have a date to work with, and you can start making other arrangements, such as sending out save-the-dates to your guests. This will allow them to make any necessary travel arrangements, especially if your wedding is in a different country.

It's also a good idea to consider other factors that may impact your venue choice, such as family dynamics or other events happening around the same time. For example, if you have family travelling from overseas, you may want to choose a venue that is convenient for them or has nearby accommodation options.

In summary, choosing a venue is a crucial aspect of wedding planning, and it's something you should focus on early in the process. By considering your guest list, budget, and the time of year, you can select a venue that aligns with your vision for your special day.

Selecting a date

The date you choose will depend on several factors, such as the availability of your chosen venue and the time of year you want to get married. If you have a specific venue in mind, it's important to book early, as popular venues can be booked up a year or more in advance, especially for peak wedding season, which is generally late spring through early fall.

When selecting a date, consider the following:

• The availability of your chosen venue.
• The time of year and desired weather conditions.
• Any major holidays or events that may conflict with your wedding.
• The availability of key vendors, such as photographers, caterers, and entertainment.
• The amount of time needed to save and budget for the wedding.

It's also important to keep in mind that you'll need to give your guests enough notice, especially if they need to travel or take time off work. Sending out save the dates early is a good idea, and you can always send a secondary save-the-date with more details closer to the wedding.

Additionally, you may want to consider any personal factors, such as your work schedule, family dynamics, or other commitments that may influence your choice of date.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting a wedding date. The most important thing is to choose a date that works best for you and your partner, and that allows enough time to plan and prepare for your big day.

Sending out save-the-dates

15 months is a typical length of time for planning a wedding, so it's definitely not too early to start planning! In fact, the earlier the better. You'll have a larger pool of vendors to choose from and you'll be able to save money by avoiding annual price increases.

Save-the-dates are an important part of your wedding planning. They give your guests a heads-up about your wedding date and location so that they can plan accordingly. It's especially important to send them out early if you have a lot of out-of-town guests or if you're planning a destination wedding.

As a general rule, send your save-the-dates 6-9 months in advance. If you're planning a destination wedding or if many of your guests will be travelling, send them out 9-12 months in advance. You don't want to send them out too early (more than 12 months in advance) as your guests may forget about your wedding.

You can send save-the-dates manually via email, text, or social media, or you can use an online platform that will send them out for you. You can also have them mailed out for you, either by using a service or by sending them yourself. If you're sending them manually, it can be a good idea to use matching designs for your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, and wedding website.

You don't need to include many details on your save-the-dates. Just the date and location are enough. You can also include a link to your wedding website, where guests can find more information and your registry.

Hiring a wedding planner

15 months is not too early to start planning your wedding. In fact, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average engagement length is 15 months. This time is perfect for research, gathering ideas, and creating a vision for your wedding.

• Timing: It is recommended to find a planner at least 12 months before the wedding so that you have enough time to work together.
• Budget: The average cost of a wedding planner is $1,900, but this can vary depending on factors such as destination weddings, which may cost more due to increased logistics.
• Experience: It is important to hire an experienced planner who can handle any hiccups or emergencies that may arise. While planners in their 20s may be passionate, they may lack the life experience to navigate complicated dynamics.
• Communication: Your planner should be a great listener and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. They should be able to understand your vision and convey your needs to vendors and other parties.
• Compatibility: The wedding planner is the vendor you will spend the most time with, so it is crucial to pick someone compatible with you and your fiancé.
• References: Don't be afraid to ask for references from past clients to get a sense of the planner's work ethic and compatibility.
• Interview: Trust your gut during the interview process. If a planner doesn't feel right, they may not be the best fit for you.
• Contract: Get everything in writing to avoid any misunderstandings or surprises.
• Are you a certified wedding planner?
• How long have you been in business?
• How many full-scale weddings have you planned, and when was your last one?
• Do you have a business license?
• Are you a member of any wedding associations?
• How many wedding clients do you take on in a year?
• Will you be present at all vendor meetings, and will you assist in reviewing contracts?
• Are we required to book only the vendors you recommend?
• Do you take any commissions or discounts from vendors you refer to us?

Frequently asked questions