If you’re newly engaged (congrats!), one of the biggest questions on your mind just might be: how far in advance should you book a wedding venue? FYI, securing the right location early is key to locking in your date, vision, and vendors—especially if you plan on saying “I do” during quote-unquote “wedding season”.

Whether you’re planning a luxury event or late-night hunting for affordable wedding venues near you, this month-by-month timeline will help you stay on track, avoid stress, and get the wedding venue of your dreams.

18+ Months Before: Start Researching Wedding Venues

Your wedding planning starts here! As soon as you’re engaged, begin:

• Browsing “wedding venues near me” and saving your favorites
• Narrowing down your guest list
• Deciding on indoor vs. outdoor wedding venues
• Creating a basic wedding budget
• Building your wedding venue checklist

This is also when you should read venue reviews, compare locations, and get a sense of what’s included in those all-inclusive wedding venue packages (like catering, rentals, and coordination).

15-18 Months Before: Schedule Venue Tours

Once you’ve done your research and shortlisted 3–5 spots that match your budget, style, and availability, it’s time to start your tours! Visit each location and ask questions like:

• What dates are still available?
• What’s included in the rental fee?
• Do they allow outside vendors?
• Is there a backup plan for rain if you’re considering rustic or outdoor wedding venues?

Bring your partner, wedding planner, or trusted friend, and take notes and pics (AND videos!) of each space so you can compare later.

Pro Tip: Unique wedding venues or barn wedding venues often book up even faster for peak-season Saturdays—so act quickly if one steals your heart!

12-14 Months Before: Book Your Wedding Venue

As engagements are getting longer, venues are booking out further in advance. This is the ideal window to sign the contract and submit your deposit to secure your spot. Booking your venue early gives you:

• A solid wedding date to build everything else around
• More flexibility when booking photographers, caterers, and officiants
• Peace of mind knowing a major decision is locked in

When you book, make sure your contract includes:

• Date and time (plus access hours)
• What’s included (tables, chairs, getting-ready suite, etc.)
• Cancellation and rescheduling policies

Congrats, now you officially have a venue! You’re one step closer to your dream day.

6–8 Months Before: Lock In Vendor Walkthroughs

Now that you’ve booked, schedule a walkthrough with any vendors who need to see the space—especially:

• Florists (for ceremony arches or centerpieces)
• DJs or bands (for power sources and acoustics)
• Caterers (if the venue allows outside catering)

This is also the time to confirm if the venue has restrictions (noise cutoffs, décor rules, pet policies, etc.).

1–2 Months Before: Final Venue Walkthrough

Most venues will offer a final walkthrough about 4–6 weeks before the wedding. Bring your planner or coordinator and go over:

• Final layout and seating chart
• Décor drop-off and setup instructions
• Emergency contact info for the venue team

This meeting ensures that your wedding venue timeline runs smoothly—and there are no day-of surprises.

2–3 Weeks Before: Confirm All Venue Details

Touch base with your venue just one more time to:

• Confirm your guest count
• Submit your event insurance (if required)
• Share your finalized vendor list and timeline

So, When Should You Book a Wedding Venue?

In most cases, you want to book your wedding venue 12–14 months in advance, especially if you want a specific date, season, or in-demand location. If you’re considering popular wedding venues or planning a wedding during peak months (like May, June, September, or October), even earlier is better! Searching for something more last-minute? Some venues will even offer weekday wedding deals or discounts for off-season months.

Next Steps: Your Wedding Venue Checklist

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’ve:

• Seen the space IRL, not just pics on their site
• Read reviews & looked at real wedding photos and videos from other couples
• Reviewed the contract in detail
• Confirmed what’s included and what’s extra (and asked about their preferred vendors if applicable)
• Made a note of cancellation and refund policies

Now that you know exactly how far in advance you should book a wedding venue, you’re ready to start planning with confidence! Whether you’re dreaming of a beach wedding venue, an elegant ballroom, or a romantic barn in the countryside, early planning is necessary (underline, italicize, asterisks, etc.!).

Still searching? Explore top-rated wedding venues near you and check availability fast with Pearl by David’s.