How far in advance should I book my wedding?
You’ll know people who have booked their wedding more than 3 years in advance and you’ll know people who seem to be getting married the same year they got engaged. When do you need to actually get your venue and date booked? How early is too early?
We’ll go through some key points to consider to help you decide when to book a wedding venue for your big day.
When to book a Wedding Venue - Guidelines
Booking your wedding venue is an important step in the wedding planning process, and it's generally recommended to do it as early as possible. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
Popular Venues: If you have a specific venue in mind that is known to be popular and often booked well in advance, it's a good idea to enquire about availability as soon as you have a date in mind. This could be at least 18 months or more in advance.
Peak Wedding Seasons: Dates during peak wedding seasons, like spring and summer, tend to fill up faster. If you're aiming for a date during these months, consider booking at least 18-24 months in advance.
Off-Peak Seasons: If you're open to having your wedding during the off-peak season (like late autumn or winter), you may have more flexibility and could potentially book the venue closer to the date, perhaps 12 months in advance.
Flexibility in Dates: If you're flexible with your wedding date and have a range of dates that could work, you might be able to secure a venue with less lead time. This can be especially true for less popular days of the week (like a Thursday or Sunday).
If you have a very specific date in mind, like the anniversary of your first date, then book as early as possible (as soon as that year is released) rather than leave it to luck. There’s nothing more upsetting than finding out your dream venue doesn’t have your dream date.
Consider Other Suppliers: Keep in mind that your choice of venue may also impact your other supplier selections, such as photographers, and florists. Some venues may have preferred suppliers, and these professionals can also book up quickly during peak seasons. Just because the venue is available - doesn’t mean your dream photographer is too.
There is such a thing as ‘too early’: We’ve all heard the saying ‘it’s never too early…’ but sometimes, it is! Sparth House is only open to bookings for the present year and the following two years. We don’t allow dates to be reserved for a year that isn’t yet available. A venue can (and should) change a lot over a 4 year period, so booking your venue so far in advance may not be a true reflection of how it will look and feel.
How much time do I want / need to plan: Some couples don’t want to prolong the planning period - they’re confident in their ability to pull together all their suppliers and do all the organising required. A planning period of 12-18 months would be perfect for someone like this. If the idea of planning fills you with dread and you feel you need as long as possible to organise everything, then opt for a longer planning period of at least 18 months.
Budget: Most venue will have payments due around certain dates - so if you’re wanting to book with 12 months or less, be prepared to pay more than just the deposit to your venue quite soon.
Ultimately, how early to book is a personal decision but should be based on your flexibility towards dates, your budget and how long you want to wait for your big day. The average time is 18 months - but there are couple who book with more than 24 months and some with less than 12 months - there is no right or wrong answer - just what’s best for you as a couple!
When you think you’re ready to book your wedding venue - get in touch with us to discuss your perfect day.
Love Olivia, Katie & Emma xxx
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