When Should You Book Each Wedding Supplier? A simple month-by-month guide
Planning a wedding is one of the most significant (and often a little overwhelming) moments of your life. From coordinating a full day of events to managing suppliers, and from ensuring your favourite people are well fed and hydrated to making sure every detail reflects your vision, there’s a lot to think about. That’s where Jess from Tide the Knot Wedding Planning comes in. With over a decade of experience creating seamless, unforgettable celebrations, she has crafted a month-by-month checklist to guide you through the entire supplier booking process.
Designed to help you stay organised and on track, Jess unveils the ideal times to lock in each of your wedding suppliers, so you can focus on enjoying the journey, knowing every detail is being handled at the right moment.
Here is Our Month-By-Month Wedding Planning Supplier Checklist:
12+ Months Before:
I always advise couples to begin their wedding planning journey by securing their venue first. After all, it’s likely to be the largest investment of the day, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. Your choice of venue shapes the atmosphere, style, and logistics of your celebration, influencing which suppliers will best complement your vision. By starting here, you ensure every element of your day works in harmony, creating a cohesive and unforgettable celebration.
Venue: Book your ceremony and reception venue first - dates fill fast.
Planner: If you’re hiring one, secure them before the venue so they can help with the search.
Budget & Guest List: Set your budget and draft your guest list early to guide other decisions.
10–12 Months Before:
Once your venue is secured, it’s time to focus on the core suppliers, these are the people who will shape the experience from start to finish. A helpful first step is to lean on the expertise of your venue or wedding planner, who often have trusted suppliers they’ve worked with before. Be sure to take a look at our carefully curated supplier recommendations on Wedding Venues in Cornwall. Recommendations can save you time, give you peace of mind, and ensure you’re choosing professionals who understand your vision and the practicalities of your chosen venue or location.
Photographer & Videographer: Highly sought-after professionals book up fast.
Caterer: If your venue doesn’t provide catering, book early.
Officiant: Especially important if you’re having a religious or specialised ceremony.
Band or DJ: Music pros often get booked well in advance.
8–12 Months Before:
Florist: Begin design consultations and book your florist.
Hair & Makeup Artists: Secure your team and schedule a trial later on.
Bridal Attire: Order your wedding dress now - many takes 6–9 months to arrive.
Save-the-Dates: Send them if you’re having a destination wedding or many out-of-town guests.
6–8 Months Before:
By the time you reach the six-month mark before your wedding, it’s the perfect moment to have all your key suppliers confirmed. This milestone ensures that everything is firmly in place, giving you the reassurance that the people bringing your day to life are booked, briefed, and ready to go. It’s a pivotal point in the planning journey where your vision begins to move from concept to reality, and you can truly start to enjoy the excitement of the countdown to your big day.
Ceremony Musicians: Secure string quartet, soloist, or other performers.
Entertainment Extras: Book photo booth, live artist, or special acts.
Wedding Coordinator: You may opt for a Coordinator rather than a planner, now your core suppliers are booked, so if you choose to have a professional manage all the details on your day, now is a good time to book your On-the-day Coordinator.
Stationery: Order invitations and post them to your guests and start discussing other requirements for the day.
Wedding Cake / Dessert: Choose a baker and schedule tastings.
Decorations: Secure décor, furniture, draping and lighting rentals, if needed.
4–6 Months Before:
The three-month mark is another key moment in wedding planning, as the excitement ramps up and your calendar begins to fill. Use this period to get organised and tackle the tasks that often get overlooked amidst the bigger items. Focusing on these smaller to-dos now ensures that everything runs smoothly closer to the wedding, leaving you free to fully enjoy the final countdown to your celebration.
Bridesmaids’ Dresses & Groomsmen Attire: Allow time for fittings and adjustments.
Transportation: Book taxi shuttles, buses, or other guest transportation.
Final Details: Finalise styling for the day, start to box up and label décor items
2–4 Months Before:
As you enter the final few months before your wedding, things can start to feel a little busier and that’s completely normal. This is the period when your suppliers will reach out to confirm final details to make sure everything is perfectly planned for the big day. Amidst the flurry of schedules and checklists, it’s essential to carve out moments for just you and your partner. Take time to relax, reflect, and enjoy each other’s company, the wedding is nearly here and it’s time to get excited!
Final meeting with your venue and core suppliers
Finalise menu with your catering team
Confirm florist designs
Hold your hair/makeup trial
1–2 Months Before:
With just one to two months to go, the countdown to your wedding is officially on. This is the stage where last-minute details come together: final dress fittings, seating plans, and confirming timelines with all your suppliers. While it can feel busy, it’s also the perfect time to focus on the finishing touches that make your day uniquely yours.
Stationery: Finalise on-the-day designs and send to print e.g. seating plan, place names, menus etc.
Final Fittings: Dress, tux, and wedding party attire.
Hen / Stag do’s
Final meeting with registrar or celebrant - finalise details for the ceremony
In conclusion
By following this wedding supplier booking schedule, you’ll not only stay beautifully organised but also create the space to enjoy the journey. Remember wedding planning should feel exciting, not stressful, and having the right suppliers in place at the right time makes all the difference. Start early, stay organised, and let your dream wedding unfold exactly as you imagined it.
If you’re looking for inspiration and trusted recommendations for venues and suppliers across the South West, Wedding Venues in Cornwall and Devon is the perfect place to start. Every venue and supplier featured on our site is handpicked for their outstanding ratings, experience, and exceptional quality of service. This means you can plan your special day with complete confidence, knowing you’re working with the very best in the industry.
Photo Credits
Photo 1: Photographer - Adam and Anna Photography
Photo 2: Venue - Boconnoc Estate | Photographer - Ash Powell Photography
Photo 3: Supplier - Dish
Photo 4: Photographer - Thomas Hare Photography
Photo 5: Supplier - Tide the Knot Wedding Planning | Photographer - Thomas Hare Photography
Photo 6: Venue - Camel Studio | Photographer - Katie Goff Photography
Photo 7: Supplier - Perdie’s Flowers
Photo 8: Supplier - Sara Price Celebrant | Venue - The Cornish Place | Photographer - Verity Westcott Photography
