Should You Delay Wedding Planning Until the Prenup Is Signed?

Published on: 26 Apr 2025

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. But while picking venues, dresses, and menus is important, there’s one major conversation that sometimes gets pushed aside: the prenuptial agreement.

If you and your partner are considering a prenup, you might be wondering: Should you delay wedding planning until the prenup is signed?

The honest answer is — it depends, but in many cases, it’s a smart move to at least prioritize finalizing the prenup early in your planning process. Let’s break down why timing matters, what risks you run if you delay it, and how you can balance wedding excitement with protecting your financial future.

Why Timing Matters for a Prenup

A prenuptial agreement needs to be signed before the wedding in order to be valid. If you wait too long to start the process, you could run into several problems:

• Pressure and duress claims: If one party feels rushed to sign just days before the wedding, it can open the door for the prenup to be challenged later in court.
• Incomplete negotiations: Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a fair prenup takes time. If rushed, you might miss important details that could cost you in the long run.
• Unnecessary stress: Wedding planning is already stressful enough. Adding a high-stakes legal negotiation at the last minute can create extra emotional strain.
• Risk of a postnup instead: If you don’t sign before the wedding, you’ll need a postnuptial agreement. Postnups are sometimes harder to enforce and often face more legal scrutiny.

Because of all this, it’s generally wise to treat the prenup as a top priority — before or alongside the early stages of wedding planning.

How Long Does It Take to Finalize a Prenup?

The timeline to create and finalize a prenup varies, but here’s a typical breakdown:

Initial discussions: 1–2 weeks (depending on how prepared and aligned you are).

Drafting the agreement: 1–2 weeks (with tools like prenups.ai, this can move faster).

Review and negotiation: 2–4 weeks (especially if lawyers are involved or revisions are needed).

Final signing: Ideally at least 30 days before the wedding.

In total, you should aim to start the prenup conversation 3 to 6 months before your wedding date. That gives you breathing room to finalize everything thoughtfully — without scrambling right before walking down the aisle.

What Happens If You Plan the Wedding Before Signing the Prenup?

It’s very common for couples to start wedding planning before finishing their prenup. However, if you book vendors, send invitations, or pay large deposits before finalizing the agreement, you might face:

• Increased emotional pressure: With money already spent and guests invited, one or both parties might feel trapped into signing a prenup they’re not fully comfortable with.
• Weaker legal standing: Courts may view a rushed, last-minute prenup as being signed under duress, especially if the wedding is imminent.
• Relationship strain: Introducing a legal negotiation into the final countdown before the wedding can heighten tension during an already busy and emotional time.

None of this means you have to delay planning — but it does mean you should move carefully and ensure the prenup is a priority, not an afterthought.

Should You Delay the Wedding Itself If the Prenup Isn't Signed?

In some cases, it might be wise to delay the wedding if your prenup isn't finalized. Although it’s a tough decision emotionally, here’s why it could be the right move:

• Protecting your financial future: A clear, enforceable prenup can save both spouses years of costly litigation if the marriage ever ends.
• Ensuring full, voluntary agreement: Both parties deserve time to review, negotiate, and feel confident about the terms.
• Avoiding legal vulnerabilities: Delaying the wedding ensures you don’t have to rely on a postnup later, which may not offer the same protections.

Postponing a wedding for a few weeks or months can feel stressful — but it’s a small sacrifice compared to the potential long-term impact of an unenforceable or rushed prenup.

How to Balance Wedding Planning and Prenup Signing

If you don't want to delay your wedding planning, here are some smart strategies to keep everything moving smoothly:

1. Start the Prenup Conversation Early

Bring up the prenup as soon as engagement conversations start. Framing it as a positive financial planning step — not a sign of distrust — can help set the right tone.

2. Use an Efficient Platform

Platforms like prenups.ai allow you to create customized prenups much faster and more affordably than hiring traditional lawyers at the start. You can always have attorneys review the final document afterward if you want additional peace of mind.

3. Build Wedding Planning Timelines Around the Prenup

Make prenup milestones part of your wedding checklist:

• Draft first version: __ date
• Review and discuss: __ date
• Final revisions: __ date
• Official signing: __ date (ideally 30+ days before the wedding)

4. Communicate Openly and Frequently

Prenup discussions aren’t just a legal formality — they’re about building a foundation of financial transparency and teamwork. Stay in open, respectful communication throughout the process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When trying to balance wedding planning and a prenup, watch out for these pitfalls:

• Procrastinating: Hoping the prenup conversation will happen “later” often leads to rushed or tense negotiations.
• Allowing wedding pressure to dictate legal decisions: Don't sign something you’re not fully comfortable with just because deposits are paid or guests have RSVP’d.
• Using the wrong tools: Trying to DIY a prenup without guidance can create legal vulnerabilities. Always use a platform or lawyer familiar with your state's requirements.
• Skipping full disclosure: Hiding assets or debts can cause the prenup to be thrown out later.

At prenups.ai, we guide you through the critical steps to create a fair, valid prenup — so you can move forward with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Should You Delay Wedding Planning for a Prenup?

In an ideal world, you don’t have to delay wedding planning — but you should absolutely prioritize finalizing your prenup early.

If you’re far along in planning and the prenup isn’t signed yet, don’t panic. But recognize that:

• Time is critical.
• Fairness matters.
• Your financial future is worth careful planning.

Getting the prenup done first isn’t just about protection — it’s about peace of mind, trust, and making sure both of you walk into marriage fully informed and empowered.

To create a clear, customized prenup that protects your future — and keeps your wedding plans on track — start today with prenups.ai.