Planning your perfect wedding can be such a whirlwind of excitement. With so many decisions to be made and options to consider, it can be easy to feel a little overwhelmed. You want to make sure to choose the perfect vendors that align with your vision for the day. A great vendor team will play such a vital role in ensuring everything runs smoothly on your wedding day. If you are ready to build the perfect team of vendors for your dream day but don’t even know where to start or what to prioritize first, just keep reading! I have put together the ultimate wedding vendor checklist, including what vendors to prioritize and recommendations of when to book each of your vendors.

Before we dive in, I want to make one important note! The recommendations for how many months out to book each vendor are just that…recommendations! If you have a shorter timeframe for planning your wedding, don’t freak out! In my experience as a seasoned wedding vendor, these timeframes tend to be best for ensuring your date will be available for you to book with your top choice vendors. This does NOT mean you cannot build your dream vendor team if you have a shorter wedding planning timeline. If you are working with 6 months or less until the big day, I still recommend reaching out to your preferred vendors ASAP…it’s very possible they might still have your date available! You may have to do a little more deep dive researching and reaching out to multiple businesses to find your wedding vendors, but you WILL find them!

VENDORS THAT ARE A MUST:

VENUE

This is the first thing you’ll want to decide after setting a date. Book your venue at least 9-12 months in advance or as soon as possible!

PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER

Next find your photographer and a videographer. I’m only a little biased but I think these are the most important vendors to prioritize! Many photographers and videographers are booked a year out so book these as soon as you can.

CATERER AND BAR

Book your caterer and bartender immediately after booking your venue (at LEAST 8-12 months in advance!).

ATTIRE

It’s best to decide on wedding attire pretty early on in the planning process because it often takes at least a few months for dresses to arrive once ordered, and alterations take time too! Try to say yes to THE dress 8-10 months in advance, have all bridesmaid dresses ordered 6-8 months out, and suits ordered 3-5 months in advance.

FLORIST

Even if you haven’t decided on florals yet, it’s a good idea to book your florist to secure your date! Try to book towards the beginning of the planning process, at least 6-9 months in advance if possible.

BAKERY

Don’t forget the cake! It’s best to find the perfect bakery and order your cake and other desserts about 6 months before wedding day.

DJ / MUSIC

Whether you hire a DJ or live music for your wedding, it’s best to start looking to book this vendor around 9-12 months beforehand to secure your date.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

When you select your hair and makeup artists really depends on the vendor. If you will be booking with a beauty company that has multiple stylists, 3-6 months out should be plenty of time. Many smaller hair and makeup vendors book out a year in advance though, so if you will be working with an individual stylist it’s better to book sooner rather than later to secure your date.

OFFICIANT

Whether you will be having a professional officiant, pastor, or friend/family member officiate your wedding, it is best to decide this towards the beginning of the planning process as well, shortly after booking your venue, photographer, and caterer.

JEWELER

Start looking at wedding bands around 3-4 months before the big day! Sometimes it takes a while for them to arrive and you want to leave enough time for any re-sizing that might need to be done. Aim to have your rings ready to go at least one month before the wedding.

OTHER IMPORTANT VENDORS:

Now that you have the main details nailed down, here are a few more vendors you may want to consider hiring for your big day. Depending on your budget you can pick and choose which of these are priorities for you to hire out for and which you might like to handle yourself (or assign a friend or extended family member to).

PLANNER / DAY OF COORDINATOR

A wedding planner can assist you in coordinating all the intricate details and making sure nothing is missed. They help to orchestrate all the moving parts, so you can focus on enjoying every moment without any added stress. If you want to hire a wedding planner to help with the entire planning process, this should be the first vendor you book! If you are just looking for a professional coordinator for the wedding day, you can book them about 6 months in advance.

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS

Check with a nearby hotel about 5-8 months before your wedding date to reserve a block of rooms for your guests. Make sure to check in with the hotel and confirm that they have released the rooms for guests to book before your invitations go out!

TRANSPORTATION

Shuttles or a party bus are great options if you want to provide transportation for your wedding party or guests from the ceremony to reception, or back to the hotel at the end of the night. Try to book this vendor at least 6 months in advance!

DECOR RENTALS

Whether you’re planning to rent chairs, linens, table settings, lounge sets, or other décor pieces, make sure to book your rentals about 6 months in advance.

INVITATIONS

Whether you are designing your invitations yourself or hiring a professional stationer, it’s best to order them around 6 months in advance.

ADDITIONAL VENDORS:

Looking for fun and unique ways to wow your guests? Consider these extra vendors. I have been to weddings with each of these and can confirm they are always a hit!

• PHOTO BOOTH

• MOBILE PETTING ZOO

• LAWN GAME RENTALS

• FOOD TRUCK (great for cocktail hour!)

• LIVE PAINTER

• AUDIO GUEST BOOK

Remember, your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Choosing the right vendors who align with your vision and values will ensure a day that is both heartfelt and unforgettable. Once you have hired your perfect team of vendors sit back and let them do their thing! They will help create an atmosphere that allows you to relax, enjoy the day, and create beautiful memories that you’ll cherish forever.