What Utah Wedding Vendors Get Booked First (and Why October is the Time to Inquire)
- Sleepy Ridge Team
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
If you’re planning a Utah wedding in 2025 or 2026, there’s one thing you should know: prime wedding dates in Utah book out fast—like, faster-than-people-realize fast.
And while engagement season officially kicks off around Thanksgiving and runs through Valentine’s Day, the couples who get ahead of the curve? They’re already reaching out to vendors in October.
Here’s why waiting until January might mean your dream team is already gone—and which vendors get snatched up first in the Utah wedding world.
1. The Wedding Venue (Yes, It Goes Fast)
In Utah, your wedding venue is the first domino. Once you’ve got your venue and date secured, everything else can start falling into place.
Why book in October?
By November, popular venues like Sleepy Ridge, Siempre, Walker Farms, and River Bottoms Ranch start filling their calendars—especially for peak wedding dates in May–October.
Many couples tour venues in October to lock down prime 2026 dates before the flood of November - December inquiries begins.
Tip: Some Utah venues offer off-season discounts or early booking incentives in fall—making October an ideal time to tour and secure your spot.
2. Photographers & Videographers
Once a couple has a date and venue, the next urgent booking is typically photo and video—especially if they’re hoping for someone they’ve followed on Instagram forever.
Why book in October?
Top Utah wedding photographers often take on a limited number of weddings per year to protect turnaround times and travel. The good ones are usually booked 12–18 months in advance for peak season.
Photographers like Sadie Photo and Lexi Look are already scheduling consultations for next year—and once a date is claimed, it’s off the calendar.
3. Florists
Florals are a huge part of a wedding aesthetic, especially with the custom design trend growing in Utah County and Salt Lake weddings.
Couples who want foam-free installs, hanging florals, or editorial flat lays know to book their florist early.
Why book in October?
The best florists (think Gracefully Bloomed, Every Blooming Thing, Bronte's Florals) limit the number of weddings they take per weekend so they can go all in on design.
If your wedding is Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day, or a popular fall date, October is when you should be reaching out.
4. Caterers + Bartending Services
Utah’s catering scene has exploded with mobile experiences, grazing tables, mocktail bars, and private chefs. And because many weddings now feature custom food experiences, caterers book up faster than ever—especially if you want one that’s licensed, insured, and well-reviewed.
Why book in October?
Many Utah caterers are already halfway booked for 2025 by the end of the year. The same goes for bartending services like The Bar Project and Bottoms Up Mocktails—so if food and drink are a priority for your day, don’t wait.
5. Entertainment: DJs, Bands, & Live Music
A good DJ does more than press play—they keep the night flowing. Utah couples are also hiring acoustic artists for ceremonies and live bands for receptions (especially in Park City and destination venues).
Why book in October? There are only so many Saturdays in a year—and the best DJs and live performers get scooped up quickly. If you’re eyeing a specific band or DJ with a reputation, it’s smart to inquire early.
6. Planning & Coordination
Whether it’s full-service planning or month-of coordination, Utah wedding planners book up fast—especially the ones who also style or run multiple weddings at major venues.
Why book in October?
Planning inquiries surge in November/December, which means if you want a planner to help with vendor selection now, early fall is your sweet spot. October brides also benefit from planner insight on available dates, vendor recommendations, and hidden costs.
So… Why October?
Because by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, your dream vendors will already be buried in inquiries. October gives you space to tour venues, meet with vendors, and make confident decisions before engagement season chaos hits.
And if you’re already engaged (or know it’s coming soon), securing your top 2–3 vendors this month will make the rest of your planning feel so much smoother.
📍 Planning a wedding in Utah County or Salt Lake?
Sleepy Ridge is now touring for late 2025 and 2026 weddings.
Let’s lock in your date before someone else does.
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