Alice Walker once said, “Time moves slowly but passes quickly,” and this is true in most of life’s experiences, especially when it comes to wedding planning.
2026 may seem far away, but we’re past the halfway point in 2025 and well on our way toward the upcoming holiday season.
Spring is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after wedding seasons, and many vendors, venues, and specialized services book up early, sometimes more than a year in advance. So, early planning means more availability, more peace of mind, and less stress (trust us, you’ll thank your past self!).
Often considered the most important day of one’s life, planning your wedding is one of the most special, exciting, and memorable moments in your life, but that doesn’t mean it will be perfect or without stress. However, the good news is that there is still time, and you can now complete a number of tasks from your to-do list.
Spring Wedding Planning
Summer is the perfect time to lay the groundwork, and if you’re unsure of where to begin, we’ve outlined a few of the items and decisions we find most important—and when it’s best to complete them!
Summer 2025
Yay! You’re engaged and are already building a Pinterest mood board for inspiration. But before you do anything else, be sure to secure your spring wedding venue. Most venues book at least a year in advance, so this should be your top priority to ensure you get your preferred dates!
Booking the venue ASAP will also help you determine the aesthetic, guest capacity, layout, necessary rentals, and any additional requirements. Plus, booking locations like The Valley Venues early not only means nearly guaranteed availability, but also on-site lodging options for out-of-town guests and seamless coordination with in-house catering teams. Checking this significant item off your to-do list also allows your planning timeline to come into focus more clearly.
This summer, it’s also essential to outline a rough draft of your budget, compile your guest list, research wedding themes, and start shopping for a wedding dress—especially for custom-made and long-lead gowns.
Fall 2025
Once the basic building blocks have been put in place, it’s time to book a florist, decide on color palettes, and select seasonal flowers. Other vendors known to book up quickly are photographers and videographers. Spring dates are highly sought after, and it can take time to locate a photographer or videographer whose style you connect with, so this should be a top priority as well.
During this season, it’s also best to finalize the guest list, hire your DJ or live music, reserve on-site lodging or hotel blocks for your guests, and schedule engagement photos, which can be a perfect addition to save-the-dates, engagement parties, showers, and more. If you’ve booked a spring wedding venue with on-site accommodations or vendors, like The Valley Venues, typically the property’s staff will also be able to assist with booking, recommendations, and more within their respective areas of service.
Winter 2025
As your spring wedding date approaches, tasks on your to-do list are likely to become increasingly specific, leaving only the final details and finishing touches for the last few weeks before you say “I do.”
Throughout winter, you’ll find yourself wrapping up much of the major decision-making and beginning to finalize plans. It’s time to decide whether you’d like to hire an officiant or ask a loved one. This also includes action items such as finalizing your menu, ordering and mailing save-the-dates, coordinating wedding party attire, and creating a wedding website that is complete with FAQs, photos, travel recommendations, a registry, and RSVP functionality.
Within 90 Days of the Nuptials
Only a handful of key tasks should remain now. During this period, priorities will likely be finalizing, ordering, and mailing wedding invitations, completing a final menu tasting, collaborating with vendors and other key individuals to draft a day-of timeline, confirming the final RSVP count and any necessary lodging, checking off seating charts and décor needs, and finalizing the timeline.
Dreaming of a 2026 spring wedding? It’s never too soon to start planning! If you’re interested in learning more about spring wedding planning or The Valley Venues’ availability and offerings, contact us today.
Don’t wait to secure your ideal date, and enjoy full-service planning with our in-house catering, lodging, and expert team.
