Getting engaged is such an exiting time. It can also be an overwhelming time because there is so much to do. A common question we see is “when should I book my wedding venue?”
The answer to your questions really depends on when you are ready to start planning and when you would like to get married.
Wedding venues typically book out 9 months to a year out. It can take a couple months to research and tour venues. November through February is known as engagement season. Many couples get engaged and married within a year. Summer/ early Fall is the busiest time for weddings because of the beautiful weather.
If you would like a summer wedding, we highly recommend booking your venue at least a year out or as soon as you can. If you are looking at a spring or winter wedding, there is generally more availability.
If you have your sights on a particular venue, it is better to book sooner rather than waiting. If the venue is more important than the date, leave your date flexible. Pick out a handful of dates that work for you. This will give you greater chances of booking your dream venue.
If you have a date that your heart is set on, it is important to be open minded in venues. Just understand that it might take time to find a venue that you love that is open on your dream date.
Every year there are dates that fill up quickly because they are what I like to call “pretty dates”. Do you remember 08/08/08? That was the most popular date in 2008. 2020 dates are going to be the same. Many couples have pushed their wedding to get married in 2020. There will also be many that will have a quick engagement so that they can get married in 2020. If you would like to get married in 2020, book your venue as soon as possible. This also goes with your other vendors because these dates will fill up fast.
Before you go venue shopping, make sure to have have a budget in pace and a estimate guest count. You do not want to fall in love with a space that eats up your entire wedding budget or is too small/ large for your guest count.
Overall, just be flexible to get what you are looking for if it be the date or a particular location.