The Long Haul: Navigating Extended Engagements in the Wedding Industry

When it comes to wedding planning, no two timelines are alike. While some couples plan whirlwind weddings in a matter of months, others prefer drawing out the planning process over a couple of years (or more!). According to The Knot, the average engagement lasts for 15 months—but plenty of couples wait 18+ months from the proposal before tying the knot.

For wedding professionals, extended engagements can be a double-edged sword. On one side, longer planning processes allow for more flexibility, creativity, and relationship-building with clients. On the other, it can test patience and result in fleeting desires, leading to indecisiveness and many changes over the months.

Fortunately, these challenges are easily overcome with the right approach, and embracing the opportunities presented by a longer timeline can set your brand apart as a trusted partner for couples navigating their “long haul” engagement.

Here are some practical tips for maintaining momentum, staying adaptable, and making the most of a couple’s lengthy planning process.

Appreciate the benefits

If you treat an extended engagement with excitement and enthusiasm, your couples will follow suit! One of the biggest perks of starting the planning process early is having more access to vendors, venues, and dates. With short engagements, clients often have to settle for what’s available in their timeframe — but these couples don’t have to worry!

Related:Prepping for Holiday Engagements

Owner of LP Creative Events, Loni Peterson, MLS, notes the added benefit of a much less stressful journey to the aisle. “A longer planning period allows the couple to take on planning in smaller chunks, which helps reduce planning stress,” she confirms. “Setting out a planning timeline and budget expectations on the front end allows for minds to change, ideas to shift, and the possibility of adding and subtracting as you go.”

Spending more time in the planning process also allows wedding pros to invest more energy into the client relationship, offering a top-notch experience from start to finish.

“It allows more time to connect to the clients on the personal level, create more touch points, get to know them better and come to the event day way more bonded and friendly,” explains Julian Ribinik, owner of Julian Ribinik Studios.

While brief engagements mean faster turnover (and a quicker paycheck), you miss the chance to establish long-lasting connections with potential return clients and a valuable referral source. So don’t overlook this opportunity to play the long game!

Be transparent with pricing

One of the trickiest aspects of an extended engagement is navigating the potential for shifting costs. Over the course of several years—or even months!—inflation, market fluctuations, and supply chain changes can significantly impact the cost of goods and services, carrying over to the final cost of a wedding.

Most industry pros adhere to the principle that contracted pricing remains fixed, no matter how long the engagement lasts. “What rate you book me at is the rate that it stays,” Peterson assures. “Similarly with other vendors, if you book someone in 2025 for 2026, it is very unlikely that they will change the pricing on you as the months go!”

However, it’s still vital to prepare clients for the reality that other elements of their wedding budget may need to adapt. For example, a floral design fee may stay the same, but the cost of fresh flowers and supplies may increase beyond our control.

The key is to set expectations early. Founder of Key Moment Films Mary Angelini encourages wedding professionals to “provide current pricing to help them understand estimated costs but make it clear to the client that final pricing for their date may vary slightly.” It can help to work with these couples to develop a contingency fund in their budget to account for unexpected changes and mitigate surprises down the road.

Prioritize communication

Long timelines often come with natural lulls, especially in the early stages of planning, and it’s easy for couples to feel disconnected during these quiet periods. Regular check-ins and thoughtful updates can help sustain momentum and remind clients that you’re fully invested in their vision, even when there’s nothing pressing on the agenda.

“The key to navigating a long engagement is relationship building,” assures Craig Peterman, owner of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “When there are long gaps between planning milestones, I like to stay in touch by checking in periodically. Sometimes it’s sending a cool new photo idea, other times just a ‘Hey, do you need any help with planning?’ text. It keeps the planning vibe positive without turning into a slog.”

Consider creating a structured communication plan that includes periodic updates, whether it’s a reminder about upcoming milestones or a new trend that caught your eye. Connecting with your couples on social media can deepen the relationship further, allowing you to engage with them regularly without filling up their inbox.

Stay flexible and anticipate design tweaks

With a longer engagement, it’s natural for a couple’s tastes and priorities to evolve. Over the months (or years), they may buy a new house, have a child, adopt a pet, or start a new job—all lifestyle changes that can impact how they envision their wedding.

Likewise, shifting industry trends may influence their preferences and may lead to a reimagination of their day. For wedding pros, this requires a healthy dose of flexibility and a willingness to adapt to their desires while keeping the overall vision intact.

“Expectations and excitement change over time,” explains Chandai Raghunauth, owner of Chandai Events. “We all evolve daily, and once we finish each action item, we need to review it at least 6-8 months before the wedding to see if it still interests them.”

The goal is to satisfy clients by meeting their needs, but there’s no time or room in the budget for a complete design overhaul every six months. So, while details may change, try to keep couples aligned with their initial purpose to ensure their wedding feels authentic to who they are—both during the planning process and on their big day.

Angelini urges wedding pros to keep couples tuned into their why. “Couples should be encouraged to revisit wedding planning notes to help them stay connected with their values,” she says. “This can help prevent them from getting swept up in outside expectations or the pressure to keep up with trends.”

Extended engagements present their own set of challenges for wedding professionals, but they also offer valuable opportunities to nurture client relationships and execute a truly spectacular celebration without added stress. The key to navigating the process smoothly is remaining adaptable and helping couples stay grounded in their vision. When you focus on building trust and embracing change, your clients will enjoy every moment on the way to their “I do’s”—no matter how long it takes to get there.

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.

Cover photo: Rock ‘n Roll Chic wedding by Ash Best Events. Photo courtesy Colette Marie Photography