Wedding planning in Los Angeles presents unique opportunities and challenges. With hundreds of exceptional venues across neighborhoods from Glendale to Beverly Hills, world-class vendors in every category, and year-round perfect weather, LA offers incredible possibilities. However, this abundance of options, combined with high demand for prime dates and top vendors, means strategic planning is essential for securing your dream celebration.

This comprehensive timeline guides you through every phase of Los Angeles wedding planning, from engagement to “I do.” Whether you’re planning an intimate 50-guest dinner or a grand 400-person celebration, this month-by-month framework ensures you tackle tasks in the right order, book vendors before they’re unavailable, and avoid last-minute stress.

If you’re planning a shorter engagement (6-9 months) or a longer timeline (18+ months), you can compress or extend phases accordingly.

Let’s ensure your LA wedding planning journey is organized, efficient, and actually enjoyable.

12-14 Months Before: Foundation Phase

Celebrate Your Engagement First

Before diving into planning logistics, take time to savor your engagement. Host an engagement party to celebrate with family and friends. This celebration often brings both families together for the first time and sets a joyful tone for your wedding journey ahead.

Set Your Budget

This is the single most important early conversation. Sit down with your partner (and anyone contributing financially) to determine your realistic budget. According to recent data, LA weddings average $50,000-$70,000, though couples celebrate beautifully at every price point from $20,000 to $150,000+.

Budget allocation guidelines for LA:

• Venue & catering: 45-50% ($22,500-$35,000 for $50K budget)
• Photography & videography: 12-15% ($6,000-$7,500)
• Florals & decor: 8-10% ($4,000-$5,000)
• Music/entertainment: 8-10% ($4,000-$5,000)
• Attire: 6-8% ($3,000-$4,000)
• Other vendors & details: 15-20% ($7,500-$10,000)

For detailed cost breakdowns, explore our wedding venue cost guide for Los Angeles.

Determine Guest Count

Your guest count impacts everything: venue options, catering costs, invitation quantities, and overall budget. Create a preliminary list knowing it will evolve, but establish whether you’re planning an intimate celebration (50-100), mid-size wedding (150-200), or large gathering (250+).

LA-specific consideration: Traffic and parking significantly impact guest experience. Consider your guests’ locations when choosing venue neighborhoods, a Malibu venue is magical but requires 60+ minute drives for many LA-area guests.

Start Venue Research

Your venue choice influences your entire wedding aesthetic, sets your date, and consumes your largest budget chunk. Begin researching Los Angeles wedding venues early. Peak season (April-June, September-November) books 12-18 months out at popular venues.

LA venue neighborhoods to explore:

• Glendale: Best value, abundant Armenian banquet halls, free parking
• Pasadena: Historic estates, garden venues, classic elegance
• Beverly Hills: Luxury hotels, exclusive venues, premium pricing
• Downtown LA: Urban lofts, rooftop venues, modern aesthetics
• Malibu: Ocean views, vineyard venues, destination feel

Start with our comprehensive Los Angeles wedding venues guide to understand options across neighborhoods and styles.

10-12 Months Before: Secure Your Foundation

Book Your Venue

This is the most critical booking. Your venue determines your date, guest capacity, and often influences vendor availability (many vendors book based on venue calendars).

LA venue booking timeline:

• Peak Saturday dates: Book 12-18 months out
• Off-peak dates (Friday, Sunday): Can secure 8-12 months out with better pricing
• Weekday weddings: Often available 6-9 months out

Use our wedding venue checklist to evaluate venues systematically and ask the right questions before committing.

Budget tip: Friday evening or Sunday afternoon weddings at the same venue can save 20-40% compared to Saturday night pricing, significant savings without compromising venue quality.

Hire Your Wedding Planner (If Using One)

If you’re hiring a full-service planner or day-of coordinator, book now. Top LA wedding planners book 12-18 months ahead for peak dates. Planners’ vendor relationships often secure better pricing and availability at sought-after vendors.

LA planner costs:

• Day-of coordination: $1,500-$3,000
• Partial planning: $3,000-$6,000
• Full-service planning: $6,000-$15,000+

Book Your Photographer

After your venue, photography is typically the next priority. Exceptional LA wedding photographers book 12-15 months ahead for peak dates. Your photographer documents your day; this isn’t where you want to compromise.

LA photographer costs: $3,500-$10,000+ depending on experience, coverage hours, and deliverables.

What to look for: LA-specific experience (they understand lighting at popular venues), style matching your aesthetic, personality fit (you’ll spend 8-10 hours with them), and reviews from recent couples.

Book Your Videographer

If you want a wedding video (increasingly popular), book videographers now. Top cinematographers book as far ahead as photographers.

Start Dress Shopping

Begin browsing bridal salons to understand styles you love. Most dresses require 6-8 months for ordering plus alterations, so starting now gives you time to find the perfect gown without rush fees.

LA bridal shopping destinations:

• BHLDN (multiple LA locations)
• Lovella Bridal (Glendale, La Cañada)
• Kinsley James Couture Bridal (Beverly Hills)
• Love and Lace Bridal Salon (Downtown LA)
• Bridal salons along Magnolia Boulevard (Burbank)

8-10 Months Before: Build Your Vendor Team

Book Your Caterer (If Separate from Venue)

Many LA venues include in-house catering, but if you’re using an “à la carte” venue requiring outside catering, book now. Prime caterers book 10-12 months out.

Secure Your Entertainment

Whether hiring a DJ, live band, or both, book entertainment 8-10 months ahead. Great entertainment makes or breaks reception energy.

LA entertainment costs:

• DJ: $1,500-$4,000
• Live band (4-6 pieces): $3,000-$8,000+
• String quartet/ceremony music: $800-$2,000

For Armenian weddings: Live Armenian bands often book even further ahead (12+ months for popular groups). If you’re having traditional kef time, book early.

Book Your Florist

Floral design significantly impacts wedding aesthetics. Meet with 2-3 florists, view their work, and book your favorite 8-10 months out.

LA floral costs: $3,000-$8,000+ depending on guest count and complexity. Outdoor venues often need fewer florals since natural beauty provides a backdrop.

Reserve Hotel Room Blocks

If you have out-of-town guests, reserve blocks at 2-3 hotels near your venue (various price points). Most hotels hold blocks 9-12 months without commitment.

LA hotel considerations: Choose hotels near your venue or with easy freeway access. LA traffic makes hotel location crucial for guest experience.

Order Save-the-Dates

If you’re having a destination-style celebration or expecting many out-of-town guests, order save-the-dates to send 6-8 months before the wedding.

6-8 Months Before: Refine Details

Finalize Your Guest List

Nail down your actual guest list. This determines catering numbers, table counts, invitation quantities, and more.

Be realistic: Initial lists often exceed capacity and budget. Cut now rather than scrambling later.

Order Invitations

Custom invitations require 3-4 months (design approval, printing, addressing), so order 6-7 months out to mail them 6-8 weeks before your wedding.

Book Hair & Makeup Artists

Trial appointments plus wedding day availability mean booking 6-8 months ahead for sought-after artists.

LA hair & makeup costs: $150-$400 for bride, $75-$150 per bridesmaid.

Plan Your Honeymoon

Research destinations, book flights, and accommodations. Popular honeymoon spots (Maldives, Bora Bora, Europe in summer) require advance booking.

Register for Gifts

Set up registries at 2-3 stores/services spanning various price points. Guests appreciate registries when selecting gifts.

Order Wedding Party Attire

Give bridesmaids time to order dresses (typically 3-4 months), and finalize groomsmen attire plans.

Book Transportation

If you need a limo, party bus, or shuttles for guests, book 6-8 months out, especially if your wedding date falls during prom or graduation season.

Purchase Wedding Bands

Order wedding bands 5-6 months before the wedding, allowing time for sizing and any customizations.

4-6 Months Before: Detailed Planning Phase

Schedule Cake Tasting

Meet with 2-3 bakers, taste options, and book your wedding cake.

LA cake costs: $400-$1,200+, depending on guest count and design complexity.

Finalize Rentals

If your venue requires rental items (chairs, linens, place settings, glassware), finalize orders with rental companies 4-5 months out.

Plan Ceremony Details

Write or customize your ceremony with your officiant. Plan readings, music, and any cultural traditions or rituals.

For Armenian weddings: Coordinate traditional elements (lavash ceremony, kef time timing, family dances) with your venue and band.

Create Wedding Website

Launch a website with:

• Your story
• Wedding date, location, schedule
• Hotel recommendations
• Registry links
• RSVP functionality (if using digital RSVPs)

Order Reception Décor

Finalize centerpiece plans, table numbers, place cards, guest book, and any DIY elements that require time to create or order.

Book Officiant

If not using a family religious leader or already-known officiant, book someone 4-6 months out.

California requirement: Ensure your officiant is legally authorized to perform marriages in California.

Purchase Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance ($150-$350) protects against vendor no-shows, extreme weather, venue closures, and other unexpected circumstances. Given LA’s occasional wildfires and other unpredictable events, insurance provides peace of mind.

2-4 Months Before: Final Details Phase

Send Invitations

Mail invitations 6-8 weeks before your wedding. Earlier for destination-style celebrations or holidays.

RSVP deadline: Set a deadline 3-4 weeks before the wedding to allow time for follow-up with non-responders.

Finalize Menu Selections

Confirm final menu with caterer or venue, including entrée selections for guests if offering a choice.

Apply for a Marriage License

California marriage licenses are valid 90 days from the issue date. Apply 1-2 months before the wedding. Both partners must appear in person at any California county clerk’s office.

California specifics:

• No waiting period, license valid immediately upon issue
• No blood test required
• Expires after 90 days if unused
• Both partners must be present to apply
• Cost: ~$35-$100 depending on county

Schedule Vendor Meetings

Meet with key vendors (planner, photographer, florist, DJ) to review timeline, confirm details, and address questions.

Create Seating Chart

Once RSVPs are in, create your seating chart. This often takes longer than expected: allow yourself time.

Order Favors (If Providing)

If you’re doing wedding favors, order 2-3 months ahead.

Break In Your Shoes

Start wearing your wedding shoes around the house to break them in. LA venues often involve walking between the ceremony and reception spaces.

Plan Rehearsal Dinner

Book a venue for the rehearsal dinner (typically the night before the wedding). Invite the wedding party, parents, grandparents, and out-of-town guests who’ve arrived early.

1 Month Before: Final Countdown

Confirm Final Guest Count

Provide your venue/caterer with guaranteed headcount (typically due 14-30 days before wedding). You’ll pay for this number regardless of actual attendance.

Send Wedding Day Timeline to Vendors

Create a detailed timeline (start to finish) and distribute to all vendors so everyone knows their role and timing.

Finalize Ceremony & Reception Music

Provide final song list to DJ/band:

• Processional songs
• Recessional song
• First dance
• Parent dances
• Cake cutting song
• Do-not-play list
• Special requests

Confirm Vendor Arrival Times

Double-check when each vendor arrives, where they set up, and any special needs.

Assign Responsibilities

Designate reliable friends/family for tasks:

• Bringing decorations to venue
• Managing gift table
• Distributing vendor payments/tips
• Emergency contact on wedding day
• Returning rental items day after

Break In Your Dress

Wear your dress around the house (carefully!) to ensure a comfortable fit and identify any needed final alterations.

Prepare Vendor Tips & Payments

Calculate gratuities, prepare envelopes, assign someone to distribute on the wedding day.

LA tipping guidelines:

• Venue staff: Often included as a service charge, verify before adding more
• Photographer/videographer: Optional but appreciated ($100-$200 each)
• DJ/band: $50-$100 per band member or 10-20% of the fee
• Hair/makeup: 15-20%
• Transportation: 15-20%

Write Toasts/Vows

If you’re writing your own vows or giving toasts, finalize them now.

Pack for Honeymoon

Don’t wait until the day after your wedding when you’re exhausted. Pack at least a week ahead.

Week Of: Final Details

Confirm All Vendor Arrival Times

Send final reminder texts/emails to all vendors with arrival times and venue address.

Wedding Party Manicures/Pedicures

Schedule these for 2-3 days before the wedding (not the day before, when you’ll be busy).

Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner

Walk through ceremony, practice timing, and enjoy dinner with close family and friends.

Prepare Emergency Kit

Create a day-of emergency kit with:

• Safety pins, scissors, needle/thread
• Stain remover
• Band-aids, pain relievers
• Deodorant, mints, tissues
• Touch-up makeup
• Phone chargers
• Snacks (you’ll forget to eat!)

Get Good Sleep

The night before your wedding, relax and get adequate sleep. Everything is done: trust your planning and enjoy tomorrow.

Wedding Day: Celebrate!

Morning

Eat breakfast: Don’t skip meals in your excitement/nerves.

Stay hydrated: LA weather can be warm: drink water throughout the day.

Stick to timeline: Build in buffer time for photos, traffic, touchups.

Trust your team: You’ve hired pros: let them do their jobs.

During

Be present: Put phone away. Be fully present for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Enjoy the food: You’ve spent significant money on catering, actually eat!

Dance: Let loose during reception. This is your party!

Evening

Designate someone to pack: Have a trusted person collect gifts, decorations, personal items, extra florals, leftover favors.

Thank your vendors: Quick thank-yous to the photographer, planner, DJ show appreciation.

Savor the moment: The day goes quickly: pause occasionally to take it all in.

Planning Different Types of LA Weddings

Armenian Weddings in LA

Armenian weddings require additional considerations:

Extended timeline: Armenian celebrations naturally run 6-7 hours. Book venues accommodating late-night festivities.

Live band booking: Popular Armenian bands book 12-18 months ahead. Don’t wait.

Larger guest counts: Armenian weddings typically host 250-400+ guests. Choose venues with appropriate capacity.

Cultural traditions: Coordinate kef time, family dances, and traditional toasts with the venue and band.

Family involvement: More family members often participate in planning. Build consensus-building time into your timeline.

Outdoor Weddings in LA

Outdoor celebrations add complexity:

Weather backup plans: Even in LA, weather surprises happen. Finalize backup plans 30 days before the wedding.

Tent rentals: If backup involves tenting, book 3-4 months ahead during the busy season.

Lighting needs: Outdoor venues need more intentional lighting than ballrooms. Plan and budget accordingly.

Guest comfort: Consider temperature management (heaters for winter, fans for summer), sun exposure during the ceremony, and accessibility on grass/uneven surfaces.

Common LA Wedding Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Starting Too Late

LA’s wedding market is competitive. Top vendors and peak dates book far ahead. Starting venue tours 12-14 months out isn’t excessive: it’s strategic.

Underestimating Traffic & Parking

Guest experience suffers when venue location creates traffic nightmares or parking stress. Consider your guests’ locations and LA’s traffic patterns when choosing venues.

Ignoring Off-Peak Savings

Friday or Sunday weddings at the same venue that costs $50,000 on Saturday might be $35,000-$40,000: same beautiful space, same excellent service, significant savings.

Not Reading Contracts Carefully

Every vendor contract should specify exactly what’s included, timing, cancellation policies, and payment schedule. Don’t sign without understanding every clause.

Forgetting Service Charges & Tax

That $30,000 venue quote becomes $37,500 after 18% service charge and 9.5% tax. Budget accordingly: total costs run 25-30% higher than base quotes.

Planning Reception End Time Too Late

If your venue has an 11 pm end time and you’re not done, overtime costs $1,000-$2,000 per hour. Plan realistic timelines with built-in buffers.

Not Confirming Marriage License Validity

California marriage licenses expire after 90 days. Apply 4-8 weeks before the wedding, not months ahead.

Streamline Your LA Wedding Planning with Zaal

Wedding planning in Los Angeles involves coordinating dozens of vendors, comparing countless options, and making hundreds of decisions: all while managing jobs, life, and the excitement of being newly engaged. The process can quickly become overwhelming, particularly during the critical early phase when you’re searching for your perfect venue.

The venues and vendor timeline outlined in this guide provide a roadmap, but following it traditionally requires countless phone calls, scattered information across emails and notes, and weeks of coordination just to move through the initial phases.

How Zaal Simplifies LA Wedding Planning

Zaal was created specifically to streamline the most time-consuming, stressful phase of wedding planning: finding and booking your venue.

Here’s how Zaal makes LA wedding planning more manageable:

✅ Centralized venue research: Browse 40+ exceptional LA venues in one place instead of visiting dozens of individual websites, making countless calls, and trying to track information across spreadsheets.

✅ Real-time availability checking: See which venues have your preferred dates open immediately, eliminating the back-and-forth of calling venues only to discover they’re already booked.

✅ Transparent pricing upfront: Understand costs before investing time in tours, helping you focus only on venues within your realistic budget from day one.

✅ Efficient tour booking: Schedule multiple venue visits through one platform, managing your entire venue search in an organized, time-efficient system.

✅ Comprehensive venue details: Access capacity information, what’s included in packages, photos, reviews, and answers to common questions: all the information you’d traditionally gather across multiple calls and emails.

✅ Planning resources: Use tools like our venue selection guide and checklist to make systematic, confident decisions.

✅ Time savings: What traditionally takes 3-4 weeks of venue research and coordination happens in days through Zaal’s streamlined platform.

Zaal doesn’t replace your entire wedding planning process: you’ll still need to book all the other vendors on this timeline. But it removes the overwhelm from the most critical, time-consuming decision: finding your perfect venue. Once your venue is secured, the rest of your planning flows more smoothly because you have your date, location, and foundation established.

Whether you’re searching for Glendale ballrooms with exceptional value, luxury venues in Beverly Hills, outdoor garden spaces, or any of dozens of other exceptional LA venues, Zaal connects you with options that match your vision, guest count, and budget, and makes the entire discovery and booking process dramatically easier.

Start your LA wedding planning with Zaal today to find your perfect venue efficiently, compare options confidently, and book the space where your celebration will unfold.

Your wedding planning timeline starts with finding the right venue. Zaal helps you get there faster, with less stress and more confidence.

 FAQs

1. How long does it take to plan a wedding in Los Angeles?

Most LA couples need 12-14 months to plan a wedding comfortably, though it’s possible to plan in 6-9 months if you’re flexible with dates and vendors. The LA wedding market is highly competitive: top venues and vendors book 12-18 months ahead for peak season (April-June, September-November). If you’re planning a shorter timeline, focus on weekday or off-peak dates, which have better availability. For elaborate celebrations with 200+ guests or cultural elements like Armenian weddings, 14-18 months provides less stress and more vendor options.

2. What’s the biggest mistake couples make when planning an LA wedding?

Starting too late is the most common mistake. Many couples don’t realize how competitive the LA wedding market is until their dream venue is already booked for their preferred date. The second biggest mistake is underestimating traffic and parking impact on guest experience, a beautiful Malibu venue loses appeal when guests face 90-minute drives through canyon traffic. Budget mistakes are also common: couples forget to account for service charges (18-22%) and sales tax (9-10%), turning a $40,000 budget into needing $50,000+.

3. Can I plan a Los Angeles wedding in 6 months or less?

Yes, but you’ll need flexibility and realistic expectations. Focus on off-peak dates (January-March, July-August, weekdays) when venues and vendors have better availability. Choose all-inclusive venues that bundle catering, coordination, and rentals to simplify logistics. Be prepared to compromise on your first-choice vendors: book whoever’s available and excellent rather than waiting for specific vendors. Simplify elements: buy a ready-to-wear dress instead of ordering custom, use digital invitations, and skip complex DIY projects. Many beautiful LA weddings happen on shorter timelines when couples stay flexible and decisive.

4. How much should I budget for a wedding in Los Angeles?

LA weddings average $50,000-$70,000 for 150-200 guests, though couples celebrate beautifully from $20,000 to $150,000+. Your venue and catering typically consume 45-50% of budget. Budget $30,000-$45,000 total if planning a mid-range celebration, $60,000-$90,000 for upscale venues and premium vendors, or $100,000+ for luxury experiences. Glendale and Burbank offer exceptional value at 20-30% less than Beverly Hills or Malibu. Friday or Sunday weddings at the same venue save 20-40% compared to Saturday pricing. Remember to budget for service charges (18-22%) and tax (9-10%) on top of quoted prices.

5. When do I need to apply for a marriage license in California?

Apply for your California marriage license 1-2 months before your wedding. The license is valid for 90 days from issue date, so don’t apply too early or it expires before your wedding. Both partners must appear in person at any California county clerk office (LA County, Orange County, etc.). There’s no waiting period: your license is valid immediately. No blood test is required. Cost is approximately $35-$100 depending on county. The ceremony must occur in California, but the license can be issued in any California county regardless of where you’re getting married.

6. Do I really need to book vendors 12 months ahead for an LA wedding?

For peak season Saturday dates (April-June, September-November), yes: top venues and photographers book 12-18 months ahead. However, timeline flexibility helps: Friday or Sunday weddings at the same venues can be secured 8-12 months out. Weekday weddings often have availability 6-9 months ahead. Off-peak months (January-March, July-August) also have better availability. If you’re set on a specific premium vendor or venue, book early. If you’re flexible and prioritize value, shorter timelines work fine. The key is starting your search early even if your wedding is distant: you’ll understand options and can book when you’re ready.

7. What’s different about planning an Armenian wedding in Los Angeles?

Armenian weddings require extended planning and specific considerations. Guest counts typically run 250-400+ (versus 150-200 for general LA weddings), so you need venues with appropriate capacity. Armenian celebrations naturally run 6-7 hours with kef time, family dances, and late-night festivities: confirm venues accommodate extended hours without excessive overtime charges. Popular Armenian bands book 12-18 months ahead, so prioritize entertainment booking. Budget is often higher due to larger guest counts and family-style service expectations. Glendale offers the best value with venues specializing in Armenian weddings, cultural expertise among staff, and competitive pricing compared to other LA neighborhoods. Plan 14-18 months out for less stress and better vendor availability.