A wedding is a one-day event, but you can expect it to take much longer than a single day to plan your wedding. Professional recommendations for planning times range from 6 months to more than a year. Yet, the length of your engagement will be the determining factor in the amount of time you have for planning. The type of wedding you envision will also impact your planning time.
How long will it take to plan your wedding? East Wind Long Island is here to help you look at the factors that affect a wedding timeline to find out.
The Timeframe You’re Looking at If You’re Planning a Wedding
It’s estimated that it takes 200 – 300 hours to plan the typical wedding. That’s a full 8 – 12 days of planning if you start immediately and don’t stop until you cross the finish line. To avoid frantic planning, a common recommendation is to take a full year to plan the wedding.
A 12-month wedding planning timeline might look something like this:
12 Months Away
- Set the date and include a backup date
- Discuss your budget
- Create a guest list and choose your wedding party
- Explore options for venues
10 Months Before the Big Day
- Book venues and vendors
- Say Yes to a dress
- Create save-the-date cards
8 Months Before the Big Day
- Refine the guest list
- Create gift registries
- Select hotels for traveling guests
- Plan your honeymoon
6 Months Before the Big Day
- Purchase invitations
- Schedule dress fittings
- Purchase wedding bands
- Plan wedding party attire
3 Months Before the Big Day
- Ensure all travel and planning documents are in order
- Send out invites
- Purchase wedding accessories
1 Month before Exchanging “I Do’s”
- Check-in on guests who haven’t RSVP’d
- Create a wedding day timeline for vendors
- Apply for a marriage license
- Write vows
Final Week
- Confirm with vendors
- Prepare final payments for the venue and vendors
- Give the caterer a final headcount
What Planning a Wedding Looks Like
As a newly engaged couple, setting a wedding date will be a top priority. After taking a few days to enjoy your status as an engaged couple, you’ll want to consider what your wedding will look like and how many guests will be attending the ceremony. Crafting a unique schedule becomes easier when you have a firm idea of the ceremony you’re planning and your budget.
If you’re planning a large wedding with many guests who will require travel plans, it’s best to stick to a longer engagement. Even if you’re planning a modest ceremony with a small guest list, you’ll need to consider the time needed for booking your venue in advance, dress alterations, and honeymoon plans.
Expect your wedding planning to include these tasks at a minimum:
- Coordinating travel plans with guests
- Booking a venue
- Choosing a wedding dress
- Sending invitations
- Booking vendors
- Getting a marriage license
- Planning a reception
The Importance of the Right Venue
The venue you choose for your wedding can play a big part in reducing your planning requirements and the time needed to plan an unforgettable wedding. An all-inclusive luxury resort complete with locations for the ceremony and reception along with lodging can take many steps out of the planning process. When you book your wedding at an exclusive resort venue like East Wind Long Island, you can select your choice of on-site venues and get assistance with everything you need, including hotel accommodations for guests, restaurant reservations, shopping, spas, and more. You can book your wedding and stay on the property for the entire affair.
Planning Your Wedding Has Never Been Easier with East Wind Long Island
East Wind Long Island is more than a venue; it’s a magical wedding experience that includes everything you desire for your dream wedding. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand affair, you can find the ideal environment for an unforgettable event. Let us help you plan your wedding. Get in touch to learn more about our wedding packages.
Image Credits: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock
