7 Timing Mistakes All Couples Make While Wedding Planning—And How to Avoid Them

When it comes to wedding planning, timing really is everything. From when to mail your invitations to how early to contact key vendors, the schedule surrounding your big day dictates much of the preparation. And without these dates nailed down, it can easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed about the your celebration. On day one of the process, instead of considering which linens may work best for your color scheme or what flavor your multi-tier cake should be, focus on just two things: hiring your planner (if applicable) and finalizing your budget.

"Start with the structure," says Michelle Durpetti, the founder of Durpetti Events. "Planning a wedding is very much like building a home—you need the framework first. Before anything else, determine your overall investment range and bring in a planner who can help you make informed, strategic decisions about where and how to spend." By doing so, you'll ensure that you only pay what you're comfortable with—while being guided by someone you trust.

Meet the Experts

Erica Taylor Haskins is the co-founder of the NYC-based event design and planning company Tinsel Experimental.

Karina Lopez Rogers is a wedding planner and the owner of KC You There.

Michelle Durpetti is the founder of Durpetti Events and owner ofGene & Georgetti Steakhouse in Chicago.

Judy Maligaspe is the owner and lead planner of Wera Events.

Here, the experts break down the seven key mistakes all couples make while wedding planning—and explain how to avoid doing the same. Read on for everything you need to know.

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Related: The Ultimate Wedding-Planning Checklist and Timeline

1. Reaching Out to Vendors Too Early

As eager as you may be to tie the knot, avoid reaching out to vendors too early. Erica Taylor Haskins, the co-founder of Tinsel Experimental, says she's had people reach out to make inquiries before they're even engaged—or with a wedding date three years away. "While flattering, it's a bit premature and takes up our time that we could be devoting to other, more timely clients," she says.

2. Putting Deposits Down Prior to Hiring Your Planner

If you plan on hiring a wedding planner, always consult them before making major wedding decisions, like securing a venue, booking rentals, or hiring a florist. "Most event design firms also do in-house florals and recommend rental items as part of their contract package, so this essentially duplicates efforts (and money spent)," Haskins says.

3. Procrastinating on Booking Key Vendors

While you don't want to book your vendors too early, you also don't want to procrastinate this task for too long. If you're hosting your nuptials during peak season, know that you'll need to budget even more time to secure the professionals you want for your big day. This goes for everything—from your venue and florist to your photographer and cake designer. "When it comes to large vendors or items/details that do not have to wait till you know a guest count, I tend to advise our clients that we should book right away," says Karina Lopez Rogers, a wedding planner and the owner of KC You There. "There's no sense in waiting when you know what you want!

4. Sending Destination Wedding Invitations Too Late

Destination weddings have entirely different timelines for invitations (and RSVPs) than weddings at home. "For destination weddings, give guests more lead time: Save-the-dates should go out eight to ten months ahead and invitations about three months prior, depending on location," Durpetti says. If you delay in sending out your invitations, you'll have trouble planning and budgeting for all of the events at your celebration.

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5. Not Securing Hotel Blocks Early On

Waiting too long to book hotel block accommodations, especially in a major city, is a common mistake. Cities host a number of different events throughout the year—from conferences and conventions to high-profile concerts and games. As a result, if you wait too long to secure your block, you may find that all of your desired accommodations are already full.

Brides Tip

As soon as your date and venue are confirmed, lock in hotel blocks at two to three hotels to ensure your guests have plenty of options and time to secure their lodging.

6. Diving Into Research Too Early

It's easy to get caught up in imagining the design for your reception. And while there's nothing wrong with creating a mood board (or two!), experts caution against doing more than that too early. "One of the biggest mistakes I see couples make is diving into research—looking at Pinterest boards, scrolling Instagram, or reaching out to vendors—before they’ve done two crucial things: defining an overall investment they’re comfortable making in the wedding, and hiring a planner who can guide them with strategy and structure," Durpetti says.

7. Not Considering the Day-Of Timeline

Later on in the process, after you've booked your vendors and finalized your design details, there's another key task to do: making a timeline for your big day. "A common mistake couples make is overlooking the setup logistics and how much time it actually takes to execute day-of details," says Judy Maligaspe, the owner and lead planner of Wera Events. "From vendor arrivals to furniture placement to final styling, every element needs to align with the timeline."

Up Next: The Best Timeline for Your Wedding Day

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