When it comes to wedding planning, no two weddings are ever the same. That means no two wedding timelines are the same. 

On average, though, a rough estimate based on the average time for couples to plan a wedding is approximately 12 months. 

But, as you may already sense, there are many factors that come into play with this timeline; including: how much free time you have, have you hired a wedding planner, and whether you have friends to help. 

The Top 5 Wedding Planning Priorities

Like any event, planning the key elements will ensure the major pieces are taken care of. From there, it’s really about the small details.

Here are the top priorities when it comes to sticking to your wedding planning timeline.

1. The Venue: Where the wedding will be is by far the most important (and can be time-consuming piece) on your list.  Most venues book up quickly and require months of advanced notice. So if you have your eye set on a particular venue, start there to lock in or determine your wedding date.
   
2. The Dress: It’s common for brides to wait to buy their wedding dresses for various reasons. However, if you’re not planning on purchasing a dress right off the rack, then you should start shopping right away. Wedding dresses have to be altered and can take months once ordered, depending on the store.
   
3. The Vendors: If you have specific wedding vendors in mind, check their availability early. Just like venues, vendors book out fast and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
   
4. The Wedding Party: While you can’t accommodate everyone, you want to make sure your closest friends and relatives can block off the date for your wedding. Ask early once you and your spouse-to-be know who you’d like to invite to be in your wedding party.
   
5. The Guest List: Just as with your wedding party, you won’t be able to accommodate everyone. However, giving your guest list plenty of notice will ensure they have enough time to make plans to be at your big day. That means you might send out Save the Dates at least 6 months in advance and invitations 3-4 months in advance.

5 Tips for Planning a Wedding in Under 12 Months

If you are in the minority and planning your wedding in less than 12 months, here is a some tips to help you stay on top of your timeline:

1. Hire a wedding planner: Yes, it’s your big day, and many brides choose to plan their own weddings. But if you are all stressed out from planning, you simply won’t be able to relax and enjoy your special day. A wedding planner can be essential for taking the load off and managing those (potentially stressful) details when planning a wedding in under a year.
   
2. Use checklists: If a wedding planner doesn’t fit in your budget, invest in some tools to help you. There are plenty of fantastic wedding checklists and apps now that can help you stay focused on wedding planning.
   
3. Be organized and stay on topic: We recommend getting a special wedding planning calendar and setting time aside (and marking it on the calendar) for each item on your checklist. Establishing your overall timeline and setting goals will help make the wedding planning process feel more manageable.
   
4. Stick to decisions: It’s easy to go back and forth in wedding planning. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to make a final choice. But the best thing you can do? When you come to an agreement on a decision, stick to it. Changing your mind multiple times can be a colossal time-eater.
   
5. Don’t do it alone: Even Superwoman had help planning her wedding (we’re not sure if that’s true, but it sounds good). Ask your most organized friend or a married friend who planned her own wedding to help take some things off your plate. 

And there you have it: your top priorities and tips for planning your wedding.

But our most important advice? You’ve got this! In the end, everything always works out as it should. Don’t forget to enjoy this time; the planning process should be just as memorable as the wedding itself.

And for help with New England event rentals, give us a call at Sperry Tents Seacoast!