How Far in Advance Should You Plan Your Wedding? A Realistic Timeline Utilized By A Toronto, Ontario Wedding Planner
If you're reading this, chances are you've recently said "yes" or you're getting ready to pop the big question to someone special. Once the news is out, get ready for the classic question from family and friends: "So, when’s the big day?"
In this blog, we're diving into what’s actually realistic when it comes to planning a wedding. Some couples are excited to jump in right away, while others prefer to slow down and savor the process. Either way, there’s no one right answer. How long it takes really depends on the kind of wedding you’re dreaming up. Maybe you’re on a tight timeline and want to elope with a few close loved ones, or maybe you’re envisioning a weekend-long celebration in Italy with your extended family and want to know how long it’ll take to make that happen.
At Claudia and Co, we get it, there are so many moving pieces that go into figuring out your ideal planning timeline. You could absolutely plan a wedding in just a few weeks, or you might stretch it out over a couple of years. But if you're aiming for a meaningful, well-curated celebration, it’s helpful to understand what goes into the process and how much time it might realistically take.
Ready to get some answers? Let’s jump in.
How Long Does It Really Take to Plan a Wedding?
Let’s put it to you this way. How long it takes to plan a wedding really depends on a few factors and what matters most to you.
Core Factors That Impact the Timeline
Guest count
Season/date availability and vendor availability
Whether you're hiring a planner or DIY-ing
Type of wedding (intimate vs all-night celebration)
Let’s break these down. First off, guest count matters. The larger the guest count, the more time it may take to get everyone to RSVP or to find a space large enough. With an increased guest count comes a need for a larger space, more details, and more moving parts to work out.
Another huge one is seasonal availability. One reason planning your wedding may take longer could come down to your perfect venue or vendor not being available until next season or, worse, next year.
Your wedding should be, YOUR wedding!
Do you and create an experience your guests will love just as much!
Image From: Mango Studios
Factor three is whether or not you're hiring a planner. Let’s break this down, wedding planners can take charge of the planning process so you don’t have to. If you're planning a wedding for the first time and don’t want to slow down your current life or put your career goals on pause, bringing in a planner can help keep things moving without adding stress. On the flip side, if you're DIY-ing your wedding, it might take more time and effort on your part, which can impact the overall timeline depending on how much time and energy you’re able to commit.
The last factor comes down to what type of wedding you envision. Larger, more luxurious weddings will naturally take more time than an intimate celebration with just your closest loved ones. Neither option is better; they simply come with different needs and timelines.
So, what does that actually look like in terms of planning time? As we mentioned earlier, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. On average, couples spend about a year to a year and a half planning their wedding. This gives you space to make thoughtful decisions, secure your dream vendors, find the perfect venue, and make sure every detail reflects your vision. It’s a sweet spot between feeling rushed and dragging things out.
That said, you can absolutely plan your wedding in less or more time. At Claudia and Co, we’ve planned a full wedding in just one month, and it turned out beautifully, all because we focused on the couple’s priorities and curated the right team to bring it to life.
Claudia And Co. Wedding Tip: Book Early!
Take a couple of weeks or months to enjoy your engagement, then jump into finding vendors or your venue that is non-negotiable for you, and set some dates as soon as possible. The biggest disappointment in the wedding planning space is when you feel set on a venue or vendor and have to choose between pushing your wedding date back or going with someone else.
Can You Plan a Wedding in Less Than 6 Months?
Yes, you absolutely can! It just takes a bit more deliberate planning and clarity upfront. If you’re planning to hire a wedding planner, decide early on whether you’ll need full-service support or partial planning. (You can check out our blog to help you choose what’s best for you.) Once you're clear, you can jump straight into the planning, and yes, it can be fun!
Here are a few things to consider that might not be immediately obvious:
Image From: Mango Studios
What’s going on in your life right now?
For many couples, wedding planning happens in the midst of big life transitions, starting a career, moving, or finishing school. That’s why it’s important to be honest about how much time and energy you have to dedicate to planning and where you might need extra support.
Do you have a dream season or date in mind?
If you're set on getting married during a specific time of year, that could affect your vendor availability and timeline. Flexibility is key if you're working within a shorter window.
How custom is your design vision?
If you’re going for something highly styled or detail-heavy, know that custom elements may take longer to source and produce. A more streamlined or minimalist wedding can make it easier to plan on a tighter schedule.
If you're clear on these details and feeling aligned, you’re already well on your way to planning a beautiful wedding in under six months!
Image From: Mango Studios
Quick Tip: Book These Vendors First
Start with the essentials that often book up fast:
Venue
Planner
Photographer
Caterer
Florist
Locking these in early will give you structure and peace of mind as everything else falls into place.
A Realistic Wedding Planning Schedule
Image From: Mango Studios
Here is a sample schedule that is pretty uniform for what wedding planners use to help you draft the wedding of your dreams in about 12-18 months.
12–18 Months Out
We help you define your budget, guest count, and top priorities
Start vision casting together with mood boards, inspiration, and style sessions
Secure your dream venue and lock in your date
Begin building your vendor team, starting with a photographer, videographer, caterer, and florist
10–12 Months Out
Guide you through booking remaining vendors (DJ, rentals, cake, officiant, etc.)
Begin dress and attire shopping with thoughtful timelines
Reserve guest accommodations and transportation
8–10 Months Out
Finalize overall design concept and event layout
Design and send save-the-dates
Confirm rentals and specialty design items
Begin walkthroughs or design consults with key vendors
6–8 Months Out
Oversee invitation design and ordering
Schedule hair and makeup trials
Manage planning logistics for ceremony flow, guest experience, and event timing
Start building the wedding weekend timeline
4–6 Months Out
Organize tasting appointments and design meetings
Finalize rentals, floral proposals, and layout changes
Begin RSVP management and address any custom details (escort displays, signage, etc.)
2–3 Months Out
Manage vendor communication, arrival times, and final payments
Create and manage seating plan with you
Oversee timeline confirmations and floor plan drafts
Coordinate final outfit fittings and accessories
1 Month Out + Wedding Week
Lead final venue walkthrough with the full vendor team
Distribute the timeline to vendors and the wedding party
Coordinate rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Be your calm, prepared guide so you can focus on what matters most
Image From: Mango Studios
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The duration it takes to plan a wedding is a highly personal choice, influenced by various factors including personal circumstances, desired wedding complexity, and vendor availability. Whether you choose a shorter, more intensive planning period or opt for a longer, comprehensive approach, what matters most is that the result reflects your love and commitment to each other.
Happy planning!