Congratulations, you’re engaged! Being married is wonderful, but don’t discount the engagement period.
Of course, you’re probably wondering when to start planning a wedding. How long are most people engaged, anyway?
Never fear. This all-in-one guide will answer all your questions. We’ll help you plan your timeline, whether your engagement is months or years.
Enjoy the Engagement Period
Take the time to celebrate this period of your life. There’s no rule for how long after an engagement you need to have a wedding. A longer engagement can be a plus — it gives you the time to enjoy being together and plan at a more relaxed pace. Without a time crunch, you can craft a plan for a truly personal and unique wedding.
Initial Conversations to Have
Your first few conversations with your fiance should touch on the details of the future. How long does each of you foresee being engaged? What kind of wedding are you imagining — something in your hometown? An exotic destination? A cozy celebration or a big bash with all your family and friends?
Wedding Planning Timelines Based on Engagement Length
Long Engagement (18+ Months)
Does the prospect of being engaged for a year or two seem crazy to you? It’s a long time to wait to start your life together! But there are some advantages, too.
For one thing, you can take the planning process at a more relaxed pace. You’ll have an easier time getting the vendors and venues that you have your eye on if you’re booking further out.
Long engagements can also ease the financial burden since you’ll have more time to plan your budget and save up.
So, what are the first steps of planning a long engagement?
The good news is, you have time to spare. Spend a month or so just relishing your status as an engaged couple. Share the happy news and let the well wishes roll in.
After a few months, you can start talking about the first few steps. Draw up a tentative budget and draft a guest list.
Once you reach between a year and a year and a half out from the big day, you’ll want to start booking the vendors. This gives you a couple of months after the question is popped to do your research.
RELATED: I Just Got Engaged! Now What? A Guide to Wedding Planning Timelines
Standard Engagement (12–18 Months)
Most couples are engaged for somewhere between a year and a year and a half. This usually gives you enough time to celebrate and get all your plans in place. You’ll also have enough time to adjust plans if needed.
For this length of engagement, you have a few weeks before you’ll need to start planning. Start by reviewing your budget and drafting up a guest list. Then begin researching venues. You’ll want to reserve your main vendors within six months of getting engaged.
Short Engagement (6–12 Months)
If you plan on being engaged for a year or less, you’ll need to start planning right away! A short engagement comes with challenges. You might have a hard time finding vendors available within your timeframe. Planning needs to go at a quick pace.
For a short engagement, dive in within a couple of weeks or even days of popping the question. Focus on the most important venues and vendors first. In a situation where time is of the essence, a wedding planner might be invaluable.
Short engagements are perfect for destination weddings. These often come as a package deal from a resort or other venue, so there’s less planning involved. And if you plan a destination wedding with us the process is even simpler since one of our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists will streamline your planning process by handling all the details for you–ideal for a short engagement.
Very Short Engagement (3–6 Months)
Few people are only engaged for a few months. But if that’s what you and your fiance are planning, you’ll need to hit the ground running!
There’s no waiting period when you only have a few months. As soon as you’re engaged, it’s time to get planning. Have an open mind and go into it knowing that you might need to change your vision along the way. With only a few months, many vendors may not be available on your chosen date.
For these couples, simple is better. Keep your wedding party and guest list small. Or consider eloping or celebrating with a destination wedding!
Destination weddings can be perfect for a very short-term engagement. With more organized package options, wedding planning is more streamlined. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists simplify things even more, so you can focus on what matters.
RELATED: Guide to What to Do After Getting Engaged
Destination Weddings vs. Traditional Weddings
Destination Weddings: The Simpler Option
You might think that destination weddings are complex. But when it comes to planning one, they’re often the simpler option.
Why? Because most destination wedding venues offer all-in-one packages. These cover everything from vendors to guest accommodations and more. That means less planning for you. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists streamline the process even more by coordinating directly with the resorts and vendors for you!
If you’re working on a crunched timeline, don’t worry. Many destination wedding venues have more availability, even last minute. Your guests will enjoy a vacation while you celebrate the happiest day of your life. And bonus—you can extend your stay for a romantic honeymoon without having to plan additional flights and accommodations!
Traditional Weddings: More Time-Intensive
Traditional weddings also have their pros and cons. You’re less likely to have the advantage of wedding packages — which means it’s up to you to book each vendor on your own. There’s much more to keep track of, from booking hotel blocks to creating a day-of timeline and even small details like renting chairs or transportation.
That doesn’t mean it’s never worth it. Some couples prefer to take charge of their wedding day, especially if they have a unique theme or plan. It can also be a good choice if you’re getting married in a family home or other place with personal meaning.
Ready to Plan? Let’s Make It Easy!
So, when to start planning a wedding? Well, the answer is it really depends on how big or detailed your dream day is going to be. There is no “one size fits all” solution here so you and your partner need to sit down and have a heart-to-heart about what’s really important to you both and then go from there.
One thing is for sure, whether you have two years or six months until your wedding, the planning doesn’t need to be stressful. Our team is ready to help you streamline your planning process so you can enjoy your big day. If you’re ready to start planning your dream destination wedding today simply fill out our wedding planning form to get started!
