1. The list of wedding vendors
- The reception venue: the foundation of everything, setting the date and the capacity.
- The caterer: cocktail hour, dinner, sometimes drinks and service.
- The photographer and videographer: the memory of the big day.
- The DJ or band: the musical atmosphere and the dancing.
- The florist and decorator: the atmosphere and the staging.
- The secular ceremony officiant (if you are planning one).
- The beauty vendors: hair and makeup.
- The extras: car, cake maker, entertainment, furniture rental.
- The wedding planner, who can coordinate all or part of the whole.
2. How much each item weighs in the budget
As a rough guide, on an average budget, the venue and the caterer alone account for more than half of the bill. Next come photo/video, music, then decoration and flowers. The full details are in our 2026 wedding budget guide.
3. The booking timeline
12 to 18 months before
Book the reception venue and the date. This is the tightest booking: the best venues go a year in advance for peak season.
10 to 12 months before
The caterer, then the photographer and the DJ or band, all of them in high demand too.
6 to 9 months before
The florist, the decorator, the secular ceremony officiant, the stationery and the cake maker.
3 to 6 months before
Hair and makeup (with a trial run), the car, entertainment and the last extras.
4. The golden rules
- Book in order from the rarest to the most available: venue, then caterer, then the rest.
- Read every quote in full: what is included, travel fees, overtime, the deposit and the cancellation terms.
- Centralize your contracts and deposits to keep a clear view of your commitments and your planning timeline.
Finding all your vendors in one place
Rather than juggling a dozen sites, NUPLY matching suggests vendors available on your date, within your budget and in your region, for every item. You compare and get in touch from a single space.
Read also: Choosing your reception venue · Choosing your caterer · The month-by-month planning timeline