Book in the order that slots disappear, not the order you think of them. Photographers and event decorators go first because one person can only take one event per date. Hair and lashes come last, because they have to land close to the event to still look fresh on the day.
The order to book in
| Vendor | Book this far ahead | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Event photographer | 2 to 3 months | One event per date, and weekends go first |
| Event decorator | 1 to 2 months | Setup is same-day, so dates are exclusive |
| Caterer or private chef | 1 month | Needs headcount and a menu agreed in advance |
| Custom cake | 1 to 2 weeks | Tiered or heavily decorated cakes need longer |
| Braids or protective styling | 2 to 3 weeks | Long appointments, so few slots per week |
| Makeup artist | 2 to 4 weeks, longer for weddings | Morning slots on event dates go early |
| Lash extensions | 1 week, and 2 to 3 days before the event | You want them settled, not brand new |
| Nails | 1 week, and 1 to 3 days before | Short appointment, easier to fit in |
These are practical guidelines from how these services work rather than measured averages. Treat them as a sequence to follow, and add time for anything in December, May or June.
Why photographers and decorators have to go first
A lash tech can fit six clients into a Saturday. A photographer shooting your event cannot be at another one, and a decorator setting up your venue in the morning is committed for the day. Their calendar is a set of whole dates rather than a set of hours, so it fills far earlier.
If your date is fixed and you only get one booking done this week, make it one of these two.
Why beauty should go last
Booking lashes two months out does not help you, because you will need a fill before the event anyway. The useful question for beauty is not how early to book but how close to the day the appointment should be.
- Lashes: two to three days before. Fresh sets can look stiff on day one and photograph better once they have settled.
- Nails: one to three days before.
- Braids or protective styling: up to a week is fine, since the style holds.
- Makeup: on the day, obviously, but book the slot weeks ahead. Morning slots on popular dates go first.
If you are trying a vendor for the first time before a big event, leave room to go somewhere else. Book the trial or first appointment far enough ahead that a result you dislike is recoverable.
What actually changes the lead time
- Saturdays. Nearly every category above fills Saturdays first. A Thursday event needs much less notice.
- Season. December, May and June are booked out furthest. Wedding season and the holidays compete for the same people.
- Complexity. A three tier cake is not a longer version of a single tier, it is a different job. Long braiding styles are the same.
- Travel. A vendor coming to you has to build the trip into their day, which limits how many bookings they can take.
What to send in the first message
Most back and forth happens because the first message is missing something. Include all of it at once:
- The date, and whether it is fixed
- The time you need them there, or the time of the event
- Location, or that you would come to them
- What you want, as specifically as you can
- Headcount, for food or decor
A vendor can answer that message with a yes, a no, or a price. A message that only says "hi, are you available?" needs three more exchanges before anyone knows anything.
If you have left it late
Late bookings are not hopeless, they just need a different approach. Ask about weekdays and off-peak times, be flexible on the exact hour, and ask directly whether they have had a cancellation. Cancellations happen constantly and rarely get advertised.
It is also worth asking a vendor who is full whether they can recommend someone. Home-based vendors know each other and refer work regularly.
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FAQ
How far in advance should I book a photographer for an event?
Two to three months, and earlier for a Saturday or for anything in wedding season. Photographers can only take one event per date, so their calendar fills in whole days rather than hours.
How far in advance should I order a custom cake?
One to two weeks for most cakes. Tiered cakes, sculpted designs or anything heavily decorated need longer, and December is the hardest month to get a last-minute order filled.
When should I get my lashes done before an event?
Two to three days before. A brand new set can look stiff on the first day and tends to photograph better once it has settled slightly.
How far ahead should I book braids or protective styling?
Two to three weeks. These are long appointments, often four to seven hours, so a stylist can only take a few per week and slots go quickly.
Which vendor should I book first?
The photographer, then the decorator. Both can only serve one event per date, so they are the ones you are most likely to lose. Beauty appointments have far more slots available and should be booked closest to the day.
Can I still book a vendor at short notice?
Often yes. Ask about weekday or off-peak slots, be flexible on the exact time, and ask directly whether they have had a cancellation. If a vendor is fully booked, ask who they would recommend.
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