When to Book Wedding Vendors in Michigan
When to Book Wedding Vendors in Michigan
Planning a wedding can feel like juggling a million things at once. One of the biggest questions couples face is figuring out when to book their wedding vendors for a Michigan wedding.
Maybe you’ve been eyeing up a specific florist, or had someone recommend a certain DJ. That last thing you want to do is miss out on your dream vendors because you reached out to them too late in the game.
Don’t worry; as a Michigan wedding photographer of ten years (specializing in micro wedding/elopement coverage), I’ve got you covered with some straightforward advice to help you nail down the timing.
Getting the Timing Right
Booking your venue and vendors at the right time can make your wedding planning smoother and less stressful. Here’s a simple timeline to help guide you:
1. Wedding Venue
12-18 months before your wedding date
Your venue is the foundation of your wedding day. Popular places can get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding months (in Michigan, this is late Spring to early Fall – Saturdays). Start looking as soon as you have an idea of your guest list and a rough date. Once you find a place you love, go ahead and lock it in. If you have the time, even 18-24 months is better. But many couples plan their weddings a year out.
Consider booking a Friday, if you are eloping or planning a micro wedding that is more flexible. This can cut costs down (wedding venues usually offer some sort of deal for dates outside of Saturday & Sunday. Reach out and ask), and allow more date flexibility, especially if booking last minute.
2. Wedding Planner:
12-18 Months Before
If you’re considering hiring a wedding planner to help you coordinate everything, start looking around the same time as your venue. A good planner can make the journey much smoother and more enjoyable right from the start.
Or if you’re looking for some help planning leading up to your big day – consider searching for photographers that offer a combination of both photography & planning, like myself. I enjoy helping my couples find other vendors, as well as design a full custom timeline, etc. Many photographers offer this, as well. However, if you’re really wanting that full day-of-planning experience, it’s best to hire a trusted coordinator to do the job.
3. Photographer and Videographer:
12-18 Months Before
Photos and videos are how you’ll remember your big day, so this is important. Good photographers and videographers are in demand, so reach out to them as early as 9 to 12 months before your wedding. This way, you’ll have a better chance of booking someone whose style you love.
I usually fully book out a year out, as I only accept 15 wedding couples a year.
4. Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists:
10-12 Months Before
Looking and feeling your best is really important on your wedding day. Book your hair stylist and makeup artist 10-12 months in advance.
Schedule trials to ensure you’re happy with the look and feel confident on your big day. The last thing you want is to not be happy with your look the day of. If you want adjustments, make sure to vocalize that to your stylist/artist. Take photos to study when you go home!
5. Wedding Dress and Tux:
9-12 Months Before
Finding the perfect wedding dress can take time, so start shopping around 9 to 12 months before the big day. This allows plenty of time for fittings and alterations. For the groom’s tuxedo, you can start a bit later, around 6 to 9 months before the wedding.
If you’re going to get alterations done, please look at reviews. I have heard horror stories of companies over promising and under-delivering. Make sure they have a lot of real & high ratings, and have been around for awhile. The last thing you need is to have a botched dress right before your big day.
6. Officiant:
9-12 Months Before
Your officiant will play a key role in your ceremony. This gives you plenty of time to discuss the ceremony details and ensure it reflects your values and personality.
Always look through multiple reviews! Request to get on a call to make sure it’s a good fit.
7. Florist:
9-12 Months Before
Flowers add beauty and elegance to your wedding day. Start looking for a florist about 9-12 months before your wedding. This will give you time to discuss your vision, explore seasonal options, and plan arrangements and bouquets that fit your style.
I always recommend real florals, from a photographers perspective. I know sometimes couples are looking to cut down costs, but nothing beats real florals. A nice compromise, if you’re needing one, is to do real bouquets & then fake florals for the ceremony & reception. I’ve seen this done so tastefully.
8. DJ or Band:
8-12 Months Before
The music sets the vibe for your celebration. Whether you’re leaning towards a DJ or a live band, aim to book them about 8-12 months in advance. This will give you time to discuss playlists and special song requests.
I can not express how important a dj/band is if you’re having a reception. I’ve seen DJs make or break the vibe of a reception.
9. Caterer:
8-10 Months Before
If your venue doesn’t provide catering, you’ll need to find someone who can deliver the tasty food you want. Once your venue is booked, start looking for a caterer. Doing tastings is a fun part of this process, and you’ll want to do this about 8 to 10 months out.
Definitely make sure you do a taste test! You don’t want any surprises the day of your wedding.
10. Cake/Desserts:
6-10 Months Before
Your wedding cake is not just dessert—it’s a centerpiece! Start looking for a baker 6 to 9 months before your wedding.
Schedule tastings to find flavors you love and discuss your design ideas.
11. Save the Dates:
6-9 Months Before
Send out save the dates. This is especially important if you’re planning a destination wedding or if many guests will need to travel. Aim to send destination save the dates 6 to 12 months before your wedding.
Note: You will want to plan your engagement session 9-12 months out, depending on the timeframe it takes your photographer to deliver your gallery. On average, it takes me about 2 weeks to get full engagement sessions back to my couples. One of the most beautiful and exotic locations to have your engagement session done is at my personal favorite: Pierce Stocking Drive, in Empire Michigan. This is also amazing for elopements & micro weddings, as well.
12. Bridal Party Attire:
6-8 Months Before
Make sure your bridal party looks their best by selecting dresses and tuxedos at least 6 to 8 months before the wedding. This allows time for ordering, fittings, and any necessary alterations.
Put someone important (that you trust) in charge of your bridal party, if you have one. Have them keep on top of everyone to make sure they aren’t getting adjustments at the last second.
13. Booking/Lodging for Guests:
6-8 Months Before
If you have guests traveling from out of town, it’s a good idea to book a block of hotel rooms 6 to 8 months before the wedding. This ensures they have a convenient place to stay and can often help you secure a better rate.
Try to find lodging as close to your event as possible.
14. Sending Out Invites:
6-8 Weeks Before
Once everything is set, it’s time to invite your guests officially. Send out your wedding invitations about 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. This gives your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and RSVP.
Mail gets lost. So try and make sure that guests have actually received invites.
Some tips when booking your vendors
- Always have a contract in place. If a vendor is not willing to send you a contract, I would move on to your next option. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation a year later where the videographer still hasn’t delivered the video – but there’s not contract with a specific timeframe. Read your contracts thoroughly and make sure you’re well protected. Make sure there are specific and clear expectations.
- Always look through reviews. If a business has no reviews, this would be a red flag to me. I’m not talking reviews on their website (those can be great, in addition to goole/facebook/etc reviews. But scammers can create fake reviews easily. You want to make sure you’re looking at authentic reviews)
- Ask your photographer options to see three full portfolio galleries, including flash. You can imagine the amount of times I’ve seen clients come to back a year later to a group I help run (Michigan brides to be on FB) saying they hired a photographer, and everything looked great – but the photographer didn’t use flash and so the reception photos are grainy and terrible quality. So heartbreaking. Every professional wedding photographer should absolutely know how to utilize flash. But sadly, many newer photographers don’t &. they don’t realize the importance until it too late.
- Make a list prioritizing your top / most wanted vendors, and make sure to invest in those. Say you you have a specific budget – it’s better to book a few quality vendors, then many cheaper / lower quality vendors. It’s important to note that just because a vendor may be more affordable – doesn’t mean they’re poor quality. And same goes for the higher priced vendors. Just make sure you’re asking the right questions.
How to have a stress free wedding day
Getting these bookings right is a big step in making your wedding day everything you want it to be. Start early, do your research, and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts. If one of your vendors is giving you red flags, investigate those feelings. Always trust your gut.
Join some of the local Michigan bridal groups (would love to see you in the one I run, that I tagged above!) It is seriously the best having a little community you can bounce ideas off of, or ask questions.
Happy planning!
©Cheleana Rowan, with Cheleanamarie Photography, 2015-2025. Unauthorized use and or duplication of this material without express and written consent from Cheleana Rowan is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Cheleana Rowan with Cheleanamarie Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Planning a wedding can feel like juggling a million things at once. One of the biggest questions couples face is figuring out when to book their wedding vendors for a Michigan wedding.
Maybe you’ve been eyeing up a specific florist, or had someone recommend a certain DJ. That last thing you want to do is miss out on your dream vendors because you reached out to them too late in the game.
Don’t worry; as a Michigan wedding photographer of ten years (specializing in micro wedding/elopement coverage), I’ve got you covered with some straightforward advice to help you nail down the timing.
Getting the Timing Right
Booking your venue and vendors at the right time can make your wedding planning smoother and less stressful. Here’s a simple timeline to help guide you:
1. Wedding Venue
12-18 months before your wedding date
Your venue is the foundation of your wedding day. Popular places can get booked up quickly, especially during peak wedding months (in Michigan, this is late Spring to early Fall – Saturdays). Start looking as soon as you have an idea of your guest list and a rough date. Once you find a place you love, go ahead and lock it in. If you have the time, even 18-24 months is better. But many couples plan their weddings a year out.
Consider booking a Friday, if you are eloping or planning a micro wedding that is more flexible. This can cut costs down (wedding venues usually offer some sort of deal for dates outside of Saturday & Sunday. Reach out and ask), and allow more date flexibility, especially if booking last minute.
2. Wedding Planner:
12-18 Months Before
If you’re considering hiring a wedding planner to help you coordinate everything, start looking around the same time as your venue. A good planner can make the journey much smoother and more enjoyable right from the start.
Or if you’re looking for some help planning leading up to your big day – consider searching for photographers that offer a combination of both photography & planning, like myself. I enjoy helping my couples find other vendors, as well as design a full custom timeline, etc. Many photographers offer this, as well. However, if you’re really wanting that full day-of-planning experience, it’s best to hire a trusted coordinator to do the job.
3. Photographer and Videographer:
12-18 Months Before
Photos and videos are how you’ll remember your big day, so this is important. Good photographers and videographers are in demand, so reach out to them as early as 9 to 12 months before your wedding. This way, you’ll have a better chance of booking someone whose style you love.
I usually fully book out a year out, as I only accept 15 wedding couples a year.
4. Hair Stylists and Makeup Artists:
10-12 Months Before
Looking and feeling your best is really important on your wedding day. Book your hair stylist and makeup artist 10-12 months in advance.
Schedule trials to ensure you’re happy with the look and feel confident on your big day. The last thing you want is to not be happy with your look the day of. If you want adjustments, make sure to vocalize that to your stylist/artist. Take photos to study when you go home!
5. Wedding Dress and Tux:
9-12 Months Before
Finding the perfect wedding dress can take time, so start shopping around 9 to 12 months before the big day. This allows plenty of time for fittings and alterations. For the groom’s tuxedo, you can start a bit later, around 6 to 9 months before the wedding.
If you’re going to get alterations done, please look at reviews. I have heard horror stories of companies over promising and under-delivering. Make sure they have a lot of real & high ratings, and have been around for awhile. The last thing you need is to have a botched dress right before your big day.
6. Officiant:
9-12 Months Before
Your officiant will play a key role in your ceremony. This gives you plenty of time to discuss the ceremony details and ensure it reflects your values and personality.
Always look through multiple reviews! Request to get on a call to make sure it’s a good fit.
7. Florist:
9-12 Months Before
Flowers add beauty and elegance to your wedding day. Start looking for a florist about 9-12 months before your wedding. This will give you time to discuss your vision, explore seasonal options, and plan arrangements and bouquets that fit your style.
I always recommend real florals, from a photographers perspective. I know sometimes couples are looking to cut down costs, but nothing beats real florals. A nice compromise, if you’re needing one, is to do real bouquets & then fake florals for the ceremony & reception. I’ve seen this done so tastefully.
8. DJ or Band:
8-12 Months Before
The music sets the vibe for your celebration. Whether you’re leaning towards a DJ or a live band, aim to book them about 8-12 months in advance. This will give you time to discuss playlists and special song requests.
I can not express how important a dj/band is if you’re having a reception. I’ve seen DJs make or break the vibe of a reception.
9. Caterer:
8-10 Months Before
If your venue doesn’t provide catering, you’ll need to find someone who can deliver the tasty food you want. Once your venue is booked, start looking for a caterer. Doing tastings is a fun part of this process, and you’ll want to do this about 8 to 10 months out.
Definitely make sure you do a taste test! You don’t want any surprises the day of your wedding.
10. Cake/Desserts:
6-10 Months Before
Your wedding cake is not just dessert—it’s a centerpiece! Start looking for a baker 6 to 9 months before your wedding.
Schedule tastings to find flavors you love and discuss your design ideas.
11. Save the Dates:
6-9 Months Before
Send out save the dates. This is especially important if you’re planning a destination wedding or if many guests will need to travel. Aim to send destination save the dates 6 to 12 months before your wedding.
Note: You will want to plan your engagement session 9-12 months out, depending on the timeframe it takes your photographer to deliver your gallery. On average, it takes me about 2 weeks to get full engagement sessions back to my couples. One of the most beautiful and exotic locations to have your engagement session done is at my personal favorite: Pierce Stocking Drive, in Empire Michigan. This is also amazing for elopements & micro weddings, as well.
12. Bridal Party Attire:
6-8 Months Before
Make sure your bridal party looks their best by selecting dresses and tuxedos at least 6 to 8 months before the wedding. This allows time for ordering, fittings, and any necessary alterations.
Put someone important (that you trust) in charge of your bridal party, if you have one. Have them keep on top of everyone to make sure they aren’t getting adjustments at the last second.
13. Booking/Lodging for Guests:
6-8 Months Before
If you have guests traveling from out of town, it’s a good idea to book a block of hotel rooms 6 to 8 months before the wedding. This ensures they have a convenient place to stay and can often help you secure a better rate.
Try to find lodging as close to your event as possible.
14. Sending Out Invites:
6-8 Weeks Before
Once everything is set, it’s time to invite your guests officially. Send out your wedding invitations about 6 to 8 weeks before the big day. This gives your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and RSVP.
Mail gets lost. So try and make sure that guests have actually received invites.
Some tips when booking your vendors
- Always have a contract in place. If a vendor is not willing to send you a contract, I would move on to your next option. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation a year later where the videographer still hasn’t delivered the video – but there’s not contract with a specific timeframe. Read your contracts thoroughly and make sure you’re well protected. Make sure there are specific and clear expectations.
- Always look through reviews. If a business has no reviews, this would be a red flag to me. I’m not talking reviews on their website (those can be great, in addition to goole/facebook/etc reviews. But scammers can create fake reviews easily. You want to make sure you’re looking at authentic reviews)
- Ask your photographer options to see three full portfolio galleries, including flash. You can imagine the amount of times I’ve seen clients come to back a year later to a group I help run (Michigan brides to be on FB) saying they hired a photographer, and everything looked great – but the photographer didn’t use flash and so the reception photos are grainy and terrible quality. So heartbreaking. Every professional wedding photographer should absolutely know how to utilize flash. But sadly, many newer photographers don’t &. they don’t realize the importance until it too late.
- Make a list prioritizing your top / most wanted vendors, and make sure to invest in those. Say you you have a specific budget – it’s better to book a few quality vendors, then many cheaper / lower quality vendors. It’s important to note that just because a vendor may be more affordable – doesn’t mean they’re poor quality. And same goes for the higher priced vendors. Just make sure you’re asking the right questions.
How to have a stress free wedding day
Getting these bookings right is a big step in making your wedding day everything you want it to be. Start early, do your research, and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts. If one of your vendors is giving you red flags, investigate those feelings. Always trust your gut.
Join some of the local Michigan bridal groups (would love to see you in the one I run, that I tagged above!) It is seriously the best having a little community you can bounce ideas off of, or ask questions.
Happy planning!
©Cheleana Rowan, with Cheleanamarie Photography, 2015-2025. Unauthorized use and or duplication of this material without express and written consent from Cheleana Rowan is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full clear credit is given to Cheleana Rowan with Cheleanamarie Photography with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
