Credit: The Celebration Society

Part of the art of wedding planning is booking your vendors at the right time. Waiting too long to schedule a service can mean the vendor of your choice is no longer available. When planning your wedding, make sure you keep in mind the proper window of time to schedule these important vendors– especially when planning a destination wedding.

Wedding Officiant

Your wedding officiant should be one of the, if not the, first vendor you book. The right officiant can transform your wedding ceremony into a warm, beautiful, memorable experience that you’ll cherish for years to come. Make sure you schedule your wedding officiant at least a year away from your date of choice. This will help ensure the officiant is not booked for your special day.

Wedding Planner

Credit: Wedding Spot

For destination weddings in particular, wedding planners are an invaluable resource to have. Be it venues, caterers, or photographers, your wedding planner will know all of the best places to go and people to hire to make your day truly special. If you want a wedding planner, they should be among one of the first professionals you contact, meaning about a year from your desired wedding date. This gives them ample time to get every detail right.

Venue

Credit: The Ritz Carlton

Venues are another thing you should try to book a year from your wedding date. Some venues can be booked months and even years in advance, so it is crucial to figure out the details of where you are getting married early. Whether the ceremony (and reception!) takes place on the beach or in a house of worship, it should be figured out early.

Catering

Credit: Awesome Jelly

Some venues offer onsite catering, but some don’t. If not, you will have to look into catering companies. Depending on the company, you can get food, tables, chair, silverware, and more for your special day. Book your catering company at least eight months away from your special date to make sure they know exactly what you want, and how to navigate your venue.

Music and Entertainment

Credit: Inside Weddings

Dancing is one of the main appeals of wedding to many people. Music can completely change the vibe of your reception (and ceremony, if you have music in your ceremony). In order to give yourself time to see different DJs and bands perform to assess their fit, it is suggested you begin that search nine to six months away from your date.

Photographer/Videographer

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Good photographers and videographers have full schedules. Book your photographer a minimum of eight months away from the wedding. This will give you the chance to look through their portfolio and decide if their services fit your wedding needs.

Hair and Makeup Artists

Credit: My Precious World Family

Hair and makeup artists are professionals that you can book closer to the wedding date, but don’t wait too long. Schedule these professionals six months in advance to secure the professional who can make you and your wedding party look like the most beautiful version of yourself.