How Far in Advance Should We Plan Our Wedding?

When my husband proposed to me in the middle of Gardens by the Bay — surrounded by fairy lights, slightly nervous laughter, and the hum of tourists in the background — I said yes without a second thought. What I didn’t say yes to, however, was the spreadsheet that would soon take over my life.

Wedding planning in Singapore is not for the faint of heart. From securing a venue to navigating banquet packages, auspicious dates to seating charts, it can feel like managing a small-scale national event. So if you’re wondering how far ahead to start, my short answer is: as early as you can without losing your sanity. But let’s break it down.

12–18 Months Before: Book the Big Stuff

In Singapore, popular wedding venues — especially ballrooms at hotels like The Fullerton or CHIJMES — get snapped up fast. Some are booked a year to 18 months in advance, particularly for auspicious dates (yes, your aunty will ask if you consulted a fengshui master).

To-do list at this stage:

• Choose your wedding date (or narrow it down to a few)
• Book your venue (ceremony and/or banquet)
• Lock in your photographer and videographer (top talents go quickly)
• Research bridal studios or consider custom gowns
• Decide if you’re hiring a wedding planner

I always advise couples to start early not to rush the decisions, but to secure their options. Nothing’s worse than settling because your dream venue was fully booked five times over.

9–12 Months Before: The Creative Core

This is the fun part — when your wedding starts taking shape beyond logistics. Think about:

• Pre-wedding photoshoot
• Theme and styling direction
• Bridal gown fittings
• Entertainment, solemniser, and food tasting
• Sending invites

Many bridal studios offer all-in-one packages. Take your time to explore a few — it’s your wedding wardrobe, not an Uniqlo run.

6 Months Before: Admin, Admin, Admin

Ah, the unsexy but crucial stage. You’ll need to:

• File your notice of marriage with ROM (at least 21 days before your wedding, max 3 months ahead)
• Finalise your guest list
• Print invites
• Confirm vendors and timelines
• Do your food tasting (yes, you will have debates over the fish)

I remember this was the point where my Excel sheet had 12 tabs and I started colour-coding guests by likelihood of RSVP. (Was it too much? Maybe. Did it help? Absolutely.)

3 Months Before: Final Stretch

You’ll be tying up loose ends:

• Final fitting for your gowns/suits
• Seating arrangements
• Final headcount for your banquet
• Preparing your wedding favours and emergency kit
• Practising your walk — yes, your heels matter

Also, please schedule some time not to talk about the wedding. Go on a date. Eat chicken rice. Remember why you said “yes” in the first place.

In Summary, here is a simple table that should serve as a very basic guide as to how far in advance to plan your wedding:

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does require lead time — especially if you want options, peace of mind, and less panic.

And one final note: however early you plan, something will go wrong. A flower might wilt. An uncle might cancel. But if you’re standing in front of your person, surrounded by love, you’ve already done it right.