When to book your wedding venue for the most value for money

The importance of booking early

Booking your venue is one of the most significant decisions in your wedding planning journey. Often the cornerstone of your planning process, location, style, size, catering options and packages will be amongst your considerations. Until you’ve settled some of these factors, booking other suppliers like caterers, photographers and staff can be a little tricky so it’s important to be on top of your venue planning and book as soon as you can.

The venue is more than just a location—it’s the foundation for your wedding’s aesthetic and logistics. From the way the sunlight streams into the ceremony space to the availability of on-site amenities, the venue sets the stage for everything else. This makes it one of the first decisions most couples tackle.

Booking early ensures availability, especially for popular venues that can fill up years in advance. It also gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing this pivotal piece of your wedding puzzle is secured. And for budget-conscious couples, early bookings often lock in current rates, helping you avoid last-minute price hikes or surge fees for peak dates.

So how early is too early, how late is too late and when is the perfect time. Well, luckily we’ve seen thousands of couples enquire about venues on our platform so we can use their first hand experience, the input of our expert venues as well as wider research from the wedding community to help you plan everything well in time.

What the Data Says About Wedding Venue Bookings

At Togather, we’ve crunched the numbers to understand booking trends across thousands of wedding inquiries. Here’s what we found:

• Average Lead Time: Couples typically book their wedding venue around 12 months in advance of the event date. However, this figure encompasses a wide range of scenarios, including off-season weddings and smaller gatherings with shorter planning horizons.

• Peak Booking Periods: January through March is a particularly busy time for venue inquiries, coinciding with the post-engagement season that follows the holidays. This is when couples who got engaged over Christmas or New Year’s often begin planning in earnest.

These trends highlight the importance of acting promptly, especially if you’re planning for a popular time of year. Waiting until the last minute might mean compromising on your dream venue—or even your preferred date.

Voices from the Wedding Planning Community

The question of when to book your wedding venue isn’t just a professional one—it’s a topic that sparks lively discussion among real couples. On a Reddit thread in the wedding planning community, opinions varied widely, but several recurring themes emerged:

• Booking Early for Popular Dates: Many users stressed that for Saturday weddings in the summer, securing a venue 12-18 months in advance is crucial. Having gone through the thread we saw mentioned of having to wait a year for the next available Saturday in some instances.

• Flexibility Helps: Couples planning off-season or weekday weddings noted shorter lead times, with some venues offering availability as little as 6 months ahead.

• Ask Around: Several users emphasised the value of directly contacting venues to check their specific timelines, as these can vary significantly depending on location and popularity.

This mix of experiences reflects the diversity of wedding timelines—but one point is clear: the earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.

So with these in mind, what can we confidently tell you about the wedding venue booking process?

1. When Should I Book My Wedding Venue?

The ideal time to book your wedding venue is 12–18 months before your wedding date, particularly if you’re planning to get married during peak season (May–September). For more specific scenarios:

• Peak Season Weddings: We recommend booking 12-18 months in advance to secure a popular venue on a weekend date in peak season (May-September).

• Off-Peak Weddings (October–April): You might be able to book closer to the 9–12 month mark, as demand is generally lower.

• Short Engagements: If your wedding date is less than a year away, don’t worry—there will still be great options available, but they might be harder to find or take a bit more research - especially if you are having a smaller wedding or open to having a week day wedding. At Togather we work with the UK’s top venues, and if you’re tight on time our team of experts will do their utmost to find you the perfect space. 

2. What Should I Consider Before Booking?

Before securing your venue, there are a few key details to have in place:

• Guest list size: Knowing the approximate number of guests will help you choose a venue that fits your needs without overcrowding or wasted space - be sure to check capacity in the seating style you want (e.g. round tables etc)

• Wedding date: Knowing roughly when you want to get married (or at least a preferred season) allows you to check availability and whittle down options.

• Style and theme: Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn, an elegant ballroom, or a modern industrial space, narrowing down your style makes the search more focused.

• Budget: Venue hire is often one of the largest expenses for a wedding, so establish a budget to guide your decision.

3. Tips for Finding and Booking Your Venue

To make the process as smooth as possible, follow these tips:

• Start researching early: Even if you’re not ready to book, start exploring venue options as soon as you’re engaged. This helps you understand availability, pricing and the types of venue you see yourself getting married in.

• Tour multiple venues: Visit at least 2–3 venues to compare their offerings and get a feel for each space. Try to think about each element of the day - where you would have your ceremony, reception, drinks etc. 

• Ask the right questions: During venue tours, ask about packages, what’s included (e.g., tables, chairs, and catering), and additional costs like corkage fees or overtime charges. Read our blog on the top questions to ask your wedding venue.

• Read reviews: Check reviews from other couples to ensure the venue delivers on its promises. 

4. How Late Is Too Late to Book?

If you’re booking closer to your wedding date, don’t panic. Many venues have last-minute availability, especially for weekday or off-season weddings. Here’s how to approach a late booking:

• Be flexible with dates: Having multiple potential dates will increase your chances of finding availability.

• Consider smaller venues: Boutique venues or lesser-known spaces may have more availability than popular locations. At Togather, we work with some of the UK’s best kept hidden gems, and can start getting you quotes in just 30 minutes. 

• Ask about cancellations: Venues occasionally have cancellations, so it’s worth asking if any dates have opened up.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, but booking your venue early is a step that brings clarity and excitement to the process. By securing your space, you’ll lay the foundation for a day that reflects your love story and creates cherished memories for you and your guests.

With Togather, finding and booking the perfect venue is easier than ever. Explore our curated selection of trusted venues, and let us guide you to the place where your dream day begins.