Welcome to The Jarvis Guide, our educational blog series designed to help couples navigate every step of the wedding planning journey with confidence. Whether you’re newly engaged or counting down the months until your big day, we’re here to share helpful tips, expert advice, and local insights to make planning your celebration a little easier.

In this second installment of The Jarvis Guide, we’re breaking down one of the most common questions couples ask: When should I book each wedding vendor?

Planning a wedding is exciting, but with so many decisions to make, it can be difficult to know where to start. Booking your vendors in the right order helps ensure you have the best selection and makes the planning process much less stressful.

12–18 Months Before: Choose Your Venue

Your venue sets the date and influences nearly every other decision you’ll make. Popular venues book well in advance, especially during spring and fall, so it’s never too early to secure your location.

Once your venue is booked, you can confidently move forward with the rest of your planning.

10–12 Months Before: Photographer, Planner & Caterer

After choosing your venue, it’s time to reserve the vendors that are in the highest demand.

This is a great time to book:

• Wedding planner or coordinator
• Photographer
• Caterer (if not provided by your venue)
• Entertainment, such as a DJ or live band

These professionals often book a year or more in advance.

8–10 Months Before: Florals & Rentals

Now that your vision is coming together, begin selecting the details that bring it to life.

Consider booking:

• Florist
• Rental company
• Cake baker
• Hair and makeup artists

Booking early gives you plenty of time to finalize designs and make adjustments as your wedding day approaches.

6–8 Months Before: Invitations & Attire

This is the perfect time to order invitations and finalize wedding attire.

Be sure to allow time for:

• Wedding dress alterations
• Tuxedo or suit fittings
• Bridesmaid dresses
• Save-the-dates and invitations

Custom orders often require several months to complete.

2–4 Months Before: Final Details

As your wedding day gets closer, focus on confirming the finishing touches.

This includes:

• Final menu selections
• Ceremony timeline
• Transportation
• Seating chart
• Marriage license
• Final vendor meetings

Having these details organized early will make the final weeks much more enjoyable.

The Final Month

Take time to confirm arrival times with vendors, prepare welcome bags if you’re hosting overnight guests, and enjoy the excitement leading up to your celebration.

Most importantly, trust the planning you’ve done and take time to soak in every moment with your family and friends.

Start with the Right Foundation

Every wedding begins with one important decision: choosing the right venue. Booking your venue first gives you a date to build around and makes selecting the rest of your vendors much easier. At The Jarvis at 220, we’re honored to be part of so many couples’ wedding journeys, and we’re committed to making the planning process as seamless as possible.

Thank you for reading Part 2 of The Jarvis Guide. Stay tuned for our next installment, where we’ll continue sharing practical tips and expert advice to help you create the wedding day you’ve always imagined.