How Early Should You Book Wedding Vendors? Insights from a Wedding Violinist

When planning a wedding, one of the biggest challenges couples face is figuring out when to book their vendors. As a wedding violinist, I've been curious about the average time couples book their vendors, particularly how these trends have changed over the years, especially post-COVID.

To satisfy my curiosity, I analyzed the booking data from the weddings I've been part of, spanning from 2018 to upcoming events. Here’s what I found:

Chart of wedding dates and how many days out the contract was signed.

Key Statistics from My Analysis

• Total Weddings Analyzed: 219
• Fewest Days Booked Out: 1 day 😳
• Most Days Booked Out: 802 days
• Median Booking Time (Past 6 Years): 208 days
• Current Moving Average of 20 Weddings: 344 days
• Lowest Moving Average of 20 Weddings (Booked from Jan. 2020 to Feb. 2021): 147 days

Trends and Observations

1. Booking Patterns Pre and Post-COVID: Before the pandemic, couples tended to book their vendors well in advance. During the pandemic, I noticed a significant decrease in the lead time for bookings, with couples making decisions much closer to their wedding dates. This trend has reversed post-pandemic, with couples now booking their vendors further out than they did pre-pandemic.
2. The Impact of Demand: There’s an inherent bias in this data since it only includes couples who booked my services. For every couple that secures a date, there are multiple others who inquire about the same date later. For instance, a wedding I performed on June 11, 2022, was booked on October 29, 2020, 590 days out. However, I received additional inquiries for the same date on 1/31/2021, 4/11/2021, 2/6/2022, 3/11/2022, and 3/13/2022.
3. Booking Early is Beneficial: The data suggests that the earlier couples book, the better their chances of securing their preferred vendors. On average, couples book around a year in advance, which is slightly further out than the median of 208 days over the past six years.

Recommendations for Couples Planning Their Wedding

• Start Early: If you have specific vendors in mind, it’s best to reach out as soon as you have your wedding date. Popular vendors get booked quickly, and booking early ensures you have the best options available.
• Don’t Feel Pressured: I understand that booking wedding vendors can be a significant decision. I strive to avoid any pressure sales tactics. If you need time to think and discuss with your partner, I’m more than happy to hold the date for you as long as needed.

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but understanding booking trends and timelines can help you make informed decisions. If you're looking for a wedding violinist or have any questions about booking your wedding vendors, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help make your wedding day as special and stress-free as possible!