George Boyle
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, and the amount of time needed depends on the type of wedding you want. While some couples spend a year or more planning their big day, others manage to do it in eight months or less. If you're working to an eight-month timeline, it's important to stay organised and get started on the key tasks as soon as possible. This includes booking your venue, caterer, photographer, florist, and other vendors, as well as sending out save-the-dates and invitations. With a shorter timeline, you may need to be flexible and willing to compromise, as some venues and vendors may already be booked up. However, with good planning tools and checklists, it is possible to plan a wedding in eight months without sacrificing your vision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is 8 months enough time to plan a wedding? | Yes, but it depends on the couple's timeline, circumstances, and comfortability. |
| How much time should couples give themselves to plan a wedding? | On average, 6-12 months, but it can be done in less time. |
| What are the first steps to planning a wedding? | Set a budget, create a guest list, discuss the budget, and explore options for the ceremony and reception venues. |
| When should you book vendors and venues? | As soon as possible, as they may be booked up a year in advance. |
| When should you send out save-the-dates and invitations? | Save-the-dates should be sent out 8 months in advance, and invitations should be sent out 3 months in advance. |
| When should you start shopping for a wedding dress? | As early as possible, especially if you want a made-to-measure dress, as it may take a few months to be made and sent to you. |
| When is the best time to do catering and cake tastings? | During the last three months of wedding planning. |
| When is the final month before the wedding? | This is when you should have your final fittings, pick up your dress/tux, make final payments, and check off legal necessities like picking up your marriage license. |
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What You'll Learn
Book your venue and vendors
While it is possible to plan a wedding in eight months, you may find that your dream venue or vendors are already booked. The availability of venues and vendors depends on factors such as location, season, and popularity.
To increase your chances of securing your preferred venue and vendors, consider the following tips:
Book your venue
The venue is typically the first thing a couple books when planning their wedding. It is crucial to have a venue secured to confirm your wedding date and book other vendors. It is recommended to book your venue 12 to 14 months in advance, but this may vary depending on the factors mentioned above. If you have a flexible date, you may be able to find availability, especially during the wedding "off-season" in mid to late fall.
Book your vendors
After securing your venue, focus on booking essential vendors such as catering, photography, videography, entertainment, and florists. These vendors tend to get booked quickly, so it is advisable to start researching and reaching out as early as possible.
- Catering: If your venue does not offer in-house catering, specialty catering options such as food trucks or dessert stations should be booked early.
- Photography and videography: Due to high demand, it is recommended to book photographers and videographers as early as possible, ideally 12-20 months in advance.
- Entertainment: If you plan to have a DJ, band, or other live entertainment, book them early, especially if they are in high demand.
- Florists: Good florists can book up fast, so it is advisable to secure your choice 12 months in advance to fulfill your floral vision.
- Officiants: Officiants can be challenging to find, so start your search 6-9 months before your wedding.
- Cake vendors: Bakers recommend contacting them no later than 9 months before your wedding date for cake tastings and bookings.
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Send out 'save the dates'
Eight months is enough time to plan a wedding, but it will require organisation and flexibility. The sooner you can start planning, the better. It's important to remember that you may need to make some compromises along the way, as some venues and vendors may already be booked.
Once you have your venue and date booked, you can start sending out 'Save the Dates'. This will ensure your guests can plan and reserve the date. It's a good idea to use an online service to save time and money. Paperless Post, for example, allows you to design and send your 'Save the Dates' quickly and efficiently. You could also include a link to your wedding website, if you have one, with additional details such as travel and accommodation information.
It is recommended that you send out your 'Save the Dates' around eight months before the wedding. This will give your guests plenty of notice, especially if they need to request time off work or make travel arrangements. It will also give you a good indication of your guest numbers, which will be helpful when it comes to planning other aspects of your wedding, such as catering and transportation.
You can also include an RSVP date with your 'Save the Dates'. This is usually set for one month before the wedding, giving you enough time to chase any late responses and finalise numbers with your caterers and venue.
Some couples choose to send out 'Save the Dates' even earlier, especially if they are having a destination wedding or if the wedding falls on a popular holiday. It's important to give your guests as much notice as possible, so they can make the necessary arrangements to attend.
Remember to keep a record of who you have sent 'Save the Dates' to, as this will come in handy when it's time to send out the official invitations. You can also use this opportunity to gather dietary requirements and song requests from your guests, to help with planning the menu and entertainment.
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Choose your dress
Eight months is long enough to plan a wedding, but it will require organisation and flexibility. The first step is to define your wedding-day experience and decide on your must-haves and dealbreakers.
Give yourself enough time to shop for your dress, as this is a decision you don't want to feel rushed into making. If you want a made-to-measure wedding gown, you should start buying one at the eight-month mark, as it takes a few months for those gowns to be made and sent to the store. If you are buying off the rack, you will still need to allow time for alterations, so start shopping as soon as possible.
If you are having bridesmaids, their dresses are also taking longer to be made, so start looking at these early on, too. You should order bridesmaid dresses 2-3 months before the wedding.
You will also need to attend final fittings during the last month before the wedding, so make sure you pick up your dress from the tailors at least a week before your wedding.
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Finalise guest list and send invites
8 months is enough time to plan a wedding, but staying organised and managing your time effectively is crucial. The first three months are considered the "discovery phase", where you define your wedding-day experience. During this time, you should book your venue and vendors, create and send 'save the dates', and confirm your guest list.
Five to six months before the wedding, you should start to refine your guest list, create gift registries, and plan your honeymoon. This is also when you should purchase your wedding invitations.
Three months before the wedding, send out your invitations. This allows you to set an RSVP date of one month before the wedding, giving you ample time to chase late responses and finalise your catering numbers.
In the last two months, you should focus on finalising the details, such as your floral designs, tablescape, ceremony setup, menu, and cake. Once your RSVPs are in, you can create place cards, escort cards, and custom menus, as well as a seating chart.
In the last two weeks, confirm big-impact items like flowers, playlists, and menus, and attend final attire fittings. The last few days before your wedding will involve dropping off any DIY projects with your planner or at the venue.
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Plan the finer details
Planning a wedding in eight months is entirely doable. However, it will limit some of your options, and you will need to get moving on locking in bookings. Here is a breakdown of the finer details to plan and when to plan them:
Eight months out
At this stage, you may find that your dream venue is already booked, so it is important to get this booked as soon as possible. The same goes for your photographer, DJ, band, and cake maker, who may be booked up a year in advance. If you want a made-to-measure wedding gown, now is the time to start looking, as it can take a few months for these to be made and sent to the store. You should also start researching and making calls to other professional vendors, such as your caterer, florist, and wedding planner.
Six months out
Now is the time to purchase your wedding invitations and schedule dress fittings. You should also book transportation to and from the venues for your guests, decide on bridesmaid and groomsmen attire, and purchase wedding bands.
Three months out
Ensure all documents are in order, for travel and wedding plans, and send out your wedding invitations. You should also purchase wedding accessories, such as guest books, flowers, and a ring bearer pillow.
One month out
Check in with guests who have not RSVP'd, and create a wedding day timeline to send to vendors. Review the ceremony details with the officiant, and apply for your marriage license.
Two weeks out
Final payments are generally due at this stage, so make sure you are keeping track of all the vendors who will need payments.
The last 14 days
Confirm big-impact items, such as flowers, playlists, and menus, as well as attending final attire fittings. Make deposits, and deliver catering numbers.
The day before
If you have taken on any DIY projects, such as framed family photos or your own guest book, plan to drop these with your planner or venue the day before your wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 8 months is long enough to plan a wedding. However, it will limit some of your options as venues and photographers may already be booked. It is important to get moving on locking in bookings.
The first things to book are the venue, photographer, caterer, officiant, DJ, and florist. You should also book your hotel for out-of-town guests and start looking at invitations.
Stay organized and use planning tools and checklists. Research and make calls to vendors as soon as possible. Be flexible and willing to make compromises as some of your first choices may not be available.
