Here's Exactly When to Book Vendors for a Stress-Free Wedding

Wedding Planner

If you don't yet have a wedding planner secured (and plan to use one), this should be of the highest priority. “A full-service wedding planner should definitely be the first vendor you book,” says Katie Webb Brundige, founder of Intertwined Events. "We typically start planning with couples from 12 to 18 months before their desired wedding timeframe."

Start reaching out to planners to see who has availability. If you don’t want a full-service planner, day-of coordinators or month-of planners can also be a helpful asset, and you’ll want to reserve their dates—there are only so many weekends in 2026!

"Not only can a planner guide you in contracting the rest of your vendors, but they will also help set up your overall budget, put together a planning timeline, and create your wedding design," adds Brundige. "Understanding your overall budget can help you make informed and better decisions about the rest of your vendor team."

Wedding Venue

It's typically recommended to secure your wedding venue six to 18 months in advance. “Venues also book up incredibly fast, and having as much notice as possible will help create a seamless and less stressful planning process,” Brundige says. “We recommend contracting your wedding venue at least a year in advance.” 

If you cannot find a venue for your desired dates, get creative. Would a backyard, park, studio, or other non-traditional gathering space be available on that date? Are you willing to be flexible on the size of the wedding or the budget?

Photography

If photography and videography are a priority for your wedding, you’ll want to book your preferred talent as soon as possible. “These vendors also book up the quickest, especially during busy wedding seasons,” says Brundige. “Deciding how you want your day memorialized is very important and should be towards the top of your to-do list.” 

Additionally, you may want to work with your photographer on an engagement shoot or other photo materials for save-the-dates and wedding websites, so you’ll want to pick this vendor ASAP.

Wedding Entertainment

"Once your photography team is in place, we suggest booking a florist and entertainment simultaneously," says Brundige. These additional details should be your next priority, as they help bring your event to life. "Finding a great florist and a band or DJs is crucial to a beautiful and fun wedding," Brundige explains. "Since these vendors go fast, they should be a priority."

Wedding Florists

"Floral design is the poetry of the event," notes Saldalamacchia. "Top florists, especially those with signature styles or large-scale installations, are best booked six to 14 months in advance. However, with a comfortable budget, you may still find creative partners who can bring your vision to life within a shorter timeframe."

Wedding Caterers

If your venue doesn’t include catering, Saldalamacchia advises booking outside caterers six to 12 months before your event—but weekday or off-peak celebrations may offer more flexibility. You'll want to leave yourself plenty of time to book a tasting, offer feedback, and finalize selections. 

You’ll also want to check if your venue or caterer offers bartending services, and if you’ll need to book a separate bartending service.

Beauty Professionals

Again, six to 12 months is the optimal timeline to book hair and makeup pros. Fortunately, these vendors can often do more than one wedding in a weekend and have a bit more flexibility, as well as other stylists that can assist. If your ideal vendors are booked, ask if they have any referrals for other beauty professionals in the area.

Additional 2026 Wedding Vendors

There’s no limit to the add-ons you can book for a wedding. You may want a late-night food truck, vintage place settings, live painters, or even a flash tattoo artist. The possibilities are endless—but worry about these extras once you have all the essentials in place. Oftentimes, these can be booked up to one month before the event.