How Long Does It Take to Plan a Wedding? (And When Should You Start?)

It’s one of the first big questions you’ll ask once the ring’s on your finger and the champagne’s been popped "How long do we actually need to plan this wedding?" and the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Some couples plan in 6 months. Others take 18 months or even two years. But if you’re looking for a sweet spot – something that gives you time to plan at a relaxed pace, enjoy the process, and secure your dream suppliers – we recommend around 12- 14 months. Here’s why that timeline tends to work best – and what’s possible if you’re working with more (or less) time.

Why 12 Months Is the Ideal Planning Window

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Approximately a year gives you a good rhythm to your planning. There’s time to think things through, explore your options, and make decisions with confidence rather than pressure. It also tends to align nicely with supplier availability, especially if you’re looking at peak season dates or in-demand venues.

With 12 months, you’ll have space to:

• Secure your dream venue and key suppliers

• Explore your design and styling ideas without rushing

• Build a thoughtful timeline and guest experience

• Having balance between planning, your work and your life

• Actually enjoying the lead-up to the day – without feeling like it’s all one big to do list

  
  

Planning in Less Than a Year? It’s Absolutely Doable

We’ve planned beautiful weddings in nine months, six months and even four months. So if your heart’s set on a shorter engagement or you just want to get married already, that’s completely possible.

You’ll just need to be prepared to:

• Make decisions quickly and confidently

• Be flexible with dates or suppliers

• Trust your planner to keep everything on track and moving at pace

With expert guidance, a clear vision and decisive choices, we can still create something personal, considered and full of heart – it’ll just come together a little faster.

Thinking Long-Term? That’s Great Too

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If you're planning 18 months or more ahead, you'll have even more flexibility when it comes to securing your dream team and crafting something truly bespoke. Just bear in mind – the longer the lead time, the more moving parts you may need to keep track of, and the more time there is for ideas (and guest lists!) to evolve. This is where having a planner to hold the reins and keep the momentum going can really make all the difference.

So... When Should We Start Planning?

The simple answer?As soon as you’re ready.

There’s no perfect date in the diary – the best time to start planning is when you're excited and ready to begin. Whether you’ve got 3 months or 18 months, we are here to help you make it feel calm, personal and totally seamless.

Need help figuring it all out? Let’s talk about what’s possible – and start planning a celebration that feels just right for you. You can get in touch with us here to receive our brochure.