How Long Does it Take to Plan A Wedding
How Long Does It Take to Plan A Wedding?
If you’re recently engaged or been waiting to plan your wedding because of the Covid19 restrictions, one of the first things you’ll want to establish is your wedding planning timeline. You may already be wondering if you can relax and enjoy your love bubble for a few more months, or if you should dive straight into checklists and Pinterest boards!
Every couple (and every wedding!) is totally different, but some simple guidelines can help you map out a realistic timeframe for your day. Keep reading as we explain how much planning is involved in the average wedding, and whether a long or short engagement is the best option for your lifestyle, wedding vision and budget.
How Long Does It Take to Plan A Wedding On Average
It’s difficult to put an exact timeframe on how long it takes to plan a wedding, because no two couples are ever the same! With this being said, research shows that most couples spend approximately 12 – 18 months planning their wedding, which usually adds up to between 300 – 500 hours in total.
Now, your ideal wedding planning timeline might look longer or shorter than the “average” couple – which is absolutely fine! We’ve planned weddings in 3 months, and engagements that lasted 3 years.
The right timeline for your wedding will all depend on a few key factors.
Before you lock down your wedding date, you’ll want to consider the following things:
Lifestyle and career: Do you and your partner both work full-time with busy social lives and family commitments? If so, you may want to allow yourself more time to plan your wedding to accommodate your lifestyle. On the flip side, if you have plenty of free time, you’ll be able to get things organised much quicker!
Finances: Do you already have some money set aside for your wedding, or will you need some extra time to build up your savings? If so, how much time will you need to achieve your savings goal without any financial stress? If you haven’t already discussed your wedding budget, this is a great place to start. We also offer finance if you need extra cash for your perfect day – just ask!
Wedding vision: Have you considered the kind of wedding you’ll be hosting and the overall vibe you want to create? An intimate wedding or elopement can be planned in a much shorter time frame, while a big celebration or destination wedding will require significantly more planning. If you’re not sure what your wedding vision looks like just yet, email us and we can assist with this today.
Flexibility: Are you flexible with things like your wedding venue, date and vendors, or do you have your heart set on specific elements already? Many in-demand venues and vendors book out quickly (we’re talking 12+ months in advance), so you may need to adjust your timeline to secure your dream team. Remember currently we have brides from 2020 wanting to get married to getting in quick is best to avoid disappointment.
Support: Do you have family and friends who are willing to help out with the wedding planning, or will you be organising everything solo? If you’re able to delegate tasks and ask for help, you can factor this into your timeline.
Personal preferences: Finally, consider the wedding planning timeline that best suits your personality and preferences. Are you someone who likes to take things at a relaxed, leisurely pace – or do you thrive on organisation, checklists and getting things done? This should give you a good indication on a realistic timeline that will work for you.