How Early is Too Early? Timeline Tips for Southern African Weddings

Spoiler: If you're asking, it's probably not too early.

From roora ceremonies and visa dramas to game lodge bookings and custom dresses—it’s no secret that Southern African weddings come with layers. And when you're juggling diaspora family, traditional rites, and venue availability during peak season, getting your timeline right can make or break your wedding sanity.

So… how early is too early? The answer: it depends on what kind of wedding you’re planning—but early is always better than panicked. Let’s break it down, from Winelands to weddings in the village, with love from Joburg to London and Lusaka to Lilongwe.

🗓️ 12–18 Months Before: Ideal for Destination & Cultural Weddings

If you’re doing:

A destination wedding (e.g., Mauritius, Vic Falls, Diani Beach)

A diaspora wedding where guests are flying in from the UK, Canada, or Aus

A multi-day cultural celebration (think roora Friday, white wedding Saturday, brunch Sunday)

Or booking peak-season venues (hello December in Cape Town)...

✅ You need to start 12–18 months out.

What to Lock Down:

💍 Venue(s): Ceremony + Reception + Accommodation

✈️ Date & location for guests who need to book flights early

📸 Your dream vendors (photographer, caterer, glam team)

📜 Traditional ceremony timelines (and when aunties need to travel!)

🛂 Passports, visas, or ID updates (especially if one of you is in the diaspora)

Zambian bride Lulu started planning from Toronto 16 months in advance—and still felt like she needed more time when her uncle’s passport delays nearly pushed their roora date!

🗓️ 9–12 Months Before: Perfect for Local + Simple-Style Weddings

Planning a more intimate wedding within your home country or a less elaborate traditional setup?
Then 9–12 months is a solid runway. This works for:

Garden parties or homestead weddings

Smaller church + hall setups

Couples who are DIY-ing most elements

Weekday weddings (discounts galore!)

Key Things to Tick Off:

📅 Finalise date and venue

📷 Book photographer and key vendors

👗 Start dress/suit shopping (especially if custom)

🎤 Lock in entertainment, priest/officiant, MC

💬 Begin lobola/roora discussions and set cultural timelines

📌 Keep in mind: Makeup artists, DJs, and decorators in high demand can be booked up 9+ months in advance in places like Harare, Lusaka, and Cape Town—even for “simple” weddings.

🗓️ 6 Months Before: Possible But Requires a Tight Plan

Did you just get engaged and want to tie the knot before your UK visa expires? Or trying to host a wedding on short notice for family flying in?

It’s not too late—but you’ll need to be decisive and flexible. Go for venues that include multiple services (venue + catering + décor) and prioritise availability over perfection.

✅ This works well for:

Courthouse + Reception combo

Elopements or micro-weddings (under 30 guests)

Backyard weddings with hired help

Pro Tips:

💻 Use a wedding planning app to stay organised

📞 Confirm EVERYTHING in writing—especially if you’re abroad

🧾 Go digital with invites, RSVPs & reminders

🎀 Borrow or rent what you can: from dresses to décor

Karabo and Marco planned their whole Harare wedding in 5 months—with a backyard setup, secondhand dress, and a DJ who doubled as MC. It was stunning, stress-free, and came in under budget!

🔥 Real Talk: The Lobola / Roora Factor

If you’re having a traditional African wedding, start early. Your parents, uncles, and elders need time to plan. Flights for lobola delegation, tailoring traditional attire, and even choosing the day (especially if it must align with ancestral calendar or clan consultations!) takes time.

📌 Start roora/lobola discussions 6–9 months out at the latest.

And yes—you can have the cultural ceremony before the white wedding, after it, or even as part of the same weekend. Just don’t leave it to the last minute.

🎯 TL;DR: Your Southern African Wedding Timeline Cheat Sheet