Once the initial sense of exhilaration has worn off after your proposal, you may find yourself wondering, How long does it usually take to plan a wedding? Wedding planning timelines can vary widely depending on location, style and budget, so the amount of time it takes you to plan your wedding may differ from the amount of time it takes another couple. Weddings can be planned in as few as three months or over the course of several years.
By exploring the different logistics that have to be considered when planning a traditional wedding in your local area versus a destination wedding in a tropical locale, you can learn more about how long it may take to plan the wedding of your dreams.
So, how far in advance should you start planning your wedding? Keep reading, and we’ll answer all your questions about wedding planning timelines.
What’s the Average Time to Plan a Wedding?
The amount of time that it takes to plan a wedding depends on a few key factors, such as the size and scope of the wedding, as well as the location that you prefer. Generally speaking, most newly-engaged couples start planning about 12 to 18 months in advance.
This is largely because many event venues and wedding vendors, particularly those in high demand, are booked out at least 12 months. However, couples who are interested in planning a destination wedding may find that they have a more flexible timeline to work with, with some couples being able to book their wedding just a few months out.
All-inclusive resorts are able to shorten the wedding planning timeline due to their convenient packages and many wedding locations on-site. Proper organization and professional support, however, are required in order to successfully plan and execute a destination wedding.
Traditional At-Home Weddings Vs. Destination Weddings
The location of your wedding will have the most significant impact on your wedding planning timeline. For the most part, you will find that planning a traditional wedding in your local area will take longer, as these full-scale events require more vendor coordination, logistics and individual bookings. In many cases, traditional weddings are large and grand affairs, which is why it takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months to plan these events.
Destination weddings, on the other hand, allow for a more simplified and streamlined planning process. By leveraging the power of resort wedding packages and on-site planners, couples can plan a destination wedding in just a few short months, as long as the couple has flexibility in terms of resort, destination and wedding date. However, they may find that by booking about 12 to 18 months in advance, they have more options. Booking further out may be required if you want to secure a wedding date during the peak travel season at one of the most in-demand luxury all-inclusive resorts.
Both traditional weddings and destination weddings are beautiful and memorable in their own right. Each wedding experience has its own advantages, depending on your priorities as a couple and your intended guest list.
When Do You Need to Start Planning a Wedding?
While there’s no exact deadline for you to begin planning your wedding, it really is best to start planning as soon as you set your budget and have chosen when you want to have your wedding. Starting the planning process early gives you access to the best possible locations, venues and vendors, regardless of whether you are planning a destination wedding or a traditional wedding in your local area.
Keep in mind that destination weddings require both you and your guests to secure travel arrangements and resort accommodations, so starting the planning process early is highly recommended. Advance planning allows you to explore your options at the most popular resorts in tropical destinations, as well as gives you access to the best available dates during the peak travel seasons.
RELATED: How Long After Getting Engaged Before You Start Wedding Planning?
What to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Timeline
The bottom line is, every couple’s planning timeline is unique, depending on your wedding style, location and personal schedule. It’s important to consider several key factors in order to create a planning timeline that works for you. For the most part, it’s recommended that couples begin creating a wedding timeline shortly after they get engaged, as this allows them to start the planning process as soon as possible.
Here’s what you need to consider as you start to build your wedding planning timeline:
Type of Wedding
Wedding planners are often faced with the question: How long does it take to plan a wedding? It’s difficult for them to answer because the timeline for your wedding will depend heavily on the type of wedding that you want to have. These are a few of the different wedding styles that you may want to consider:
- A formal, traditional wedding — Formal weddings require more extensive logistics, which can extend the planning timeline. In general, these lavish affairs take about 12 to 24 months to plan.
- A casual wedding — Casual weddings are more low-key and may have a smaller guest list, so you may be able to shorten your timeline. These relaxed events can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to plan, depending on your personal schedule.
- Elopement — Involving just you, your partner and a couple of witnesses, an elopement is a swift and romantic wedding. You may be able to plan your elopement in just a few days or within a few months.
- Micro-wedding — A micro-wedding is an intimate event with 25 or fewer guests. You may be able to plan a micro-wedding in 1 to 6 months.
Choosing a destination wedding may allow you to streamline the process, because you will have access to online wedding planners, such as our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists, built-in resort services, on-site coordinators and vendor teams that make the planning process as simple and enjoyable as possible.
Destination
If you choose to have a destination wedding, the destination that you pick may influence the overall timeline of the planning process. International destinations may require more time to plan, because there are requirements that you and your travel party may have to meet before you can travel.
The amount of time that it takes to plan a destination wedding depends on:
- The season in which you want to get married.
- The wedding destination that you choose.
- The travel logistics involved for you and your wedding party.
- The resort that you want to book.
- The wedding venue that you prefer at your chosen resort.
- Whether you want to plan a legal ceremony in your destination or host a symbolic ceremony.
It’s best to start the planning process as early as possible, particularly if you are interested in international locations or you want to get married during the peak travel season at your chosen destination.
Budget
Every couple can plan a memorable, romantic wedding, regardless of the budget that they are comfortable with for their celebration. Couples with larger or more detailed budgets, however, may find that it takes longer to plan their wedding, as they may need additional time to allocate funds, compare quotes and secure in-demand vendors.
When planning a destination wedding, you may find that resort wedding packages make the budgeting process simpler. These packages often include everything you need for your wedding celebration, such as the wedding location, decor, flowers, ceremony music and more. There’s a lot of flexibility to choose a resort wedding package that aligns with your personal style and your preferred budget. Keep in mind that early coordination is best for securing the most valuable group rates.
Size of Wedding
The size and scope of your wedding will directly impact the complexity of the planning logistics, and ultimately, may determine your wedding planning timeline. Larger at-home weddings require more coordination, as you often have to work separately with various vendors to pull together your dream wedding.
Destination weddings, on the other hand, are naturally smaller and may be easier to manage. If you are bringing a larger group along with you for your destination wedding, you should consider beginning the planning process as early as possible.
Wedding Date
The wedding date that you choose is deeply personal. Some couples target a specific date for sentimental reasons, while others are eyeing a particular time of year due to the season and weather patterns. Ultimately, the wedding date that you desire will have a significant impact on your planning time, especially if you are hoping to secure a date during a peak season.
Destination weddings require aligning both travel availability and resort schedules, so it can take a bit of time to find the perfect window of opportunity. For the best possible availability, begin planning your destination wedding at least 12 to 18 months in advance.
How to Plan a Wedding When You Have the Time
If you are enjoying an extended engagement, you may find that the extra time provides you with more opportunity to explore your options and consider different wedding styles. In the early days of your long engagement, consider taking tours of various venues, brainstorming decor ideas online and contacting destination wedding planning specialists, such as our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists, to learn more about celebrating abroad.
When you start the planning process as early as possible, even when you know you are going to have a longer engagement, you will find that you have access to the best options for your big day. Booking your destination wedding early often means that you have access to better resort choices in the leading destinations and the most valuable package deals.
How to Plan a Wedding on a Short Timeline
If you are hoping to get married in less than 6 months, you should know that your dream wedding is entirely possible, as long as you take swift action and strategic steps forward. In fact, the destination wedding experience is practically built for couples who want to get married as soon as possible.
When planning a destination wedding, you will find that the resorts handle most of the logistics through pre-set packages and on-site coordinations. A Certified Destination Wedding Specialist can help you discover the resorts that have availability in the destinations that you prefer, allowing you to easily book a resort wedding package.
Is a Long or Short Engagement Right for You?
When trying to decide on the length of your engagement, you and your future spouse should work together to consider the possibilities for your wedding. By weighing your personalities, schedules and priorities, you can decide what type of wedding you want to have and when you want to celebrate.
A long engagement offers more flexibility, particularly if you want to book a large, traditional wedding in your local area. A short engagement, on the other hand, works well for stress-free destination weddings.
So, How Long Does it Really Take to Plan a Wedding?
You can plan a wedding in just a few months, or you can enjoy an extended engagement that lasts for a couple of years. The average amount of time that it takes to plan a wedding depends heavily on your goals as a couple, the type of wedding that you want to have, and how hands-on you want to be during the planning process.
In order to expedite the wedding planning process, you may want to consider a destination wedding, which can be planned faster thanks to comprehensive planning support.
Ready to Start Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding? We’re Here to Help!
So, how far in advance should you start planning your wedding? That may depend on when and where you want to get married. Regardless, the team at DestinationWeddings.com is here to help. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists will simplify the process for you, ultimately reducing the amount of time it takes to plan your dream destination wedding. From choosing the perfect resort to coordinating every last detail with local vendors, our specialists are available to assist you.
Fill out an online planning form today to kick-start the wedding planning process!
