With the average UK wedding now costing up to £25,000, managing a budget is one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding.
When you are balancing venue costs, dresses, suits, florists, photographers and caterers, it is completely understandable why evening entertainment often gets pushed down the to-do list.
Over the last 12 months, we have seen a massive shift in how couples book. More couples are waiting until the very last minute to book their evening suppliers. Just recently, we’ve had couples reaching out in August looking to book Photo Booths and Selfie-Mirrors for that exact same month.
While we always try our absolute best to accommodate last-minute bookings, the honest reality is that we are usually already fully booked.
Here is why leaving your evening entertainment to the last minute is a hidden gamble and why securing it early protects the investment you’ve made in your big day.
Your evening reception is the moment where the pressure drops and everyone finally lets their hair down. It’s when your day guests mingle with your evening guests, the music turns up and the real memories are made.
Whether it’s a high-energy DJ, a Selfie-Mirror, a Video Guest Book or Illuminated Letters, your evening entertainment dictates the energy of the room.
You spend months making sure the guest list is perfect, the decor matches and every detail is tailored to your taste. Spending thousands on a stunning day only to leave the evening atmosphere to whatever last-minute supplier happens to be free is a crying shame.
Traditionally, most couples book their key suppliers 18 to 24 months in advance. The top-rated, highly recommended event suppliers in Kent fill their peak summer weekend calendars fast.
When you book 12 to 18 months ahead, you get to choose the best of what’s available:
- You choose suppliers who match your personal style and standards.
- You get battle-tested equipment and reliable, experienced staff.
- You get full peace of mind that your date is locked in.
When you leave booking until 2 or 3 weeks before the wedding, you are forced to choose the best of what’s left. You risk having to settle for outdated equipment, inexperienced operators or suppliers who don’t align with the quality you wanted for your wedding day.
The Wedding Entertainment Timeline Table
We completely understand that cash flow during wedding planning is tough. But you don’t need to pay everything up front to secure top-tier entertainment.
Securing your date early with a small deposit locks in quality equipment and experienced professionals early in your planning journey, allowing you to spread the remaining cost over time.
Our Recommendation
Your wedding suppliers are there to represent you and look after your guests on one of the most important days of your life. Don’t let your evening reception be an afterthought.
Secure the quality, service and equipment you actually want early on, so you can relax knowing your evening party is in safe hands.