Wedding Planning Timeline: When to Book What (2026)

One of the most common questions I hear from newly engaged couples: “When are we supposed to book everything?”

The answer depends on your date, your season, and how popular your venue and vendors are. But there’s a general rhythm that works for most weddings, and understanding it will keep you from scrambling at the last minute (or booking too early and locking yourself into decisions you haven’t fully thought through).

Here’s a practical, month-by-month breakdown.

12+ months out: Lock in the big anchors

These are the decisions that everything else depends on.

Venue. This comes first because your venue determines your date, your guest capacity, your vendor options (some venues have preferred vendor lists), and a big chunk of your budget.
Date. Often chosen together with the venue. Peak-season Saturdays (April through June, late August through October in Maryland and Virginia) book earliest.
Wedding planner or coordinator. If you’re going the full-service route, bring them on early. They’ll help with every decision that follows.

Why this matters: Top venues in Frederick, Northern Virginia, and the DC metro area can book 12 to 18 months in advance for peak-season weekends. If your heart is set on a specific venue and date, don’t wait.

9 to 12 months out: Hire your core vendor team

This is when the high-demand vendors get booked.

Photographer and videographer. The best ones have limited availability, especially on Saturdays.
Caterer. If your venue doesn’t include catering, this is a priority.
Entertainment (DJ/MC). A professional DJ does more than play music. They build your timeline, coordinate with your vendor team, and manage the flow of your reception. Booking early means you get planning support throughout the process, not just on the wedding day.
Florist. Especially if you have a specific vision that requires sourcing specialty flowers.

If you’re evaluating entertainment options, here’s a guide to questions worth asking before you hire.

6 to 9 months out: Details start taking shape

Attire. Wedding dresses often need 4 to 6 months for ordering and alterations. Suits and tuxedos need less lead time but shouldn’t wait until the last month.
Save-the-dates. Send these out so guests can block the date, especially if travel is involved.
Officiant. Whether it’s a religious leader, a friend, or a professional officiant, confirm availability.
Hotel room blocks. If you’re expecting out-of-town guests, reserve blocks early for better rates.
Rentals. If your venue is a blank slate, start locking in tables, chairs, linens, and tent rentals.

3 to 6 months out: The production details

This is where the event starts to feel real.

Menu tasting. Finalize your catering selections.
Cake or dessert. Book your baker and confirm design.
Decor and design. Work with your florist and venue to finalize centerpieces, ceremony arch, and table design.
Lighting. If uplighting, dance floor lighting, or monogram projection is part of your vision, confirm this with your entertainment or lighting vendor.
Transportation. Shuttle buses, limo, or classic car for the couple.
Wedding party attire. Bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits. Give the party enough lead time for ordering and fitting.

If you’re considering lighting as part of your production, here’s a guide: Uplighting for Weddings.

1 to 2 months out: Final details and confirmations

The home stretch. This is mostly about confirming and finalizing.

Send invitations. (Or finalize your digital invites.) Track RSVPs closely.
Finalize the guest count. Give your caterer and venue the final number.
Build the day-of timeline. Work with your planner (or DJ/MC) to map out every moment: ceremony start, cocktail hour, introductions, toasts, first dance, cake cutting, last dance.
Vendor confirmations. Reach out to every vendor with load-in times, contact info, and any special instructions.
Marriage license. Don’t forget this one. Check your county’s requirements for timing and ID.
Rehearsal logistics. Confirm who needs to be there, when, and where.

For a detailed reception timeline breakdown, check out the Ultimate Wedding Reception Timeline.

What if you have less than 12 months?

You’re not behind. You’re just on a compressed schedule.

Here’s what to prioritize:

Venue and date. This still comes first. Be flexible on day of the week (Friday and Sunday weddings have more availability) and consider off-peak months.
Photographer, caterer, and entertainment. These book out fastest. Start reaching out immediately.
Collapse the timeline. Some of the “6 to 9 month” tasks can happen in parallel with your “9 to 12 month” tasks. You’ll be busier for a shorter period, but it’s completely doable.

The couples I work with on shorter timelines often have more focused weddings because they don’t have time to overthink every detail. That’s not a bad thing.

Season and geography matter

Timing varies based on where you’re getting married.

Peak season in Maryland, Virginia, and DC is roughly May through October, with September and October being the most competitive months.
Friday and Sunday weddings have significantly more vendor availability than Saturdays.
Barn and outdoor venues in Frederick County and the surrounding area are especially popular for fall dates. If that’s your vision, book early.
Winter weddings (December through February) are less competitive, and some vendors offer adjusted pricing.

Key takeaways

Book your venue first. Everything else follows from that.
High-demand vendors (photographer, caterer, entertainment) should be booked 9 to 12 months out for peak-season dates.
If you’re on a shorter timeline, prioritize venue, photographer, caterer, and entertainment, and be flexible on day of the week.
Build your day-of timeline at least a month before the wedding, not the week before.