Is planning your wedding in six months really doable? The answer is YES! Whatever your reasons for getting married quickly are, brides often find themselves having to plan their big day in rather more of a hurry than they thought they would have to.
Whatever you might think, there are enough suppliers and wedding venues to go around, it all depends on the time of year you’re getting married and the day of the week. Just remember, if you’re dream wedding entails a weekend wedding in high summer then this might be more difficult to sort – the most in demand season for weddings will require a little more planning in advance. BUT… marry midweek and you’ll find plenty more options open to you! (not to mention the saving you’ll make along the way!) When planning a quick wedding it’s important to establish the couples priorities and whether these can be achieved within the time frame.
The pros of planning in under six months
- It’s all very romantic – you won’t have to wait long until you’re Mr and Mrs!
- You’ll have to make quick decisions – which is good if you’re a bit of a dawdler.
- You’ll probably have a slightly smaller wedding, so it will more than likely cost less.
- Chances are you may get a better deal on your wedding venue, especially if you’re marrying out of season and if you’re prepared to get married mid-week.
- You may have to buy your dress off the peg or at a sample sale, which means you’ll probably save money on something made to measure. A good dressmaker can always make alterations quickly in any case.
- No time to have a cake made by a designer? Some high street stores have some amazing ready-made wedding cakes and you can decorate it yourself with accessories or flowers to personalise.
- If you’re brave enough to book a honeymoon last minute, you could end up with a bargain.
The issues you may face
- Not everybody will be able to attend – they may already have holidays, work commitments or a birth of a baby in the diary.
- You’ve got less flexibility about where you can marry and the date – popular venues, especially in the height of summer, tend to get booked up 1-2 years in advance.
- If you’re looking for your dream designer wedding dress then it probably won’t be ready in time (most designers and bridal shops need at least three months to put a frock together).
- You might not get the photographer you want – fashionable photographers can be booked a year or two ahead at peak times.
- If you’re an indecisive person, a quick wedding turn around may bring on more stress than is worth.
- You might not be getting married at the time of year you dreamed about.
- You’ll probably have to take some time off work quite close to the wedding/honeymoon to get your plans in order.
- If your wedding is in term-time, some kids may not be able to get time off school to be flower girls or pageboys.
Elements To Plan ASAP
Organise your wedding venue
You really need to focus on where you’re going to get married – where the ceremony and reception is taking place and when. Try to organise the ceremony and reception at the same location – this will save on planning time. See what dates they have available, check for discounts for off-season or mid-week weddings and go from there.
Book a photographer
The shots of your wedding day will provide lasting memories so book a photographer you can work with. We suggest you contact four and check availability but if you’re really set on them, don’t book your venue until you know they can do that date.
Your wedding dress
Some designers will need six months to create your dream gown so get it ordered quickly. If you really don’t have six months, we suggest asking your local bridal boutique about how quickly they can get a dress in stock, or alternatively, try the sample sales. These can provide amazing bargains if you’re lucky. Just factor in the cost of dry cleaning.
Your wedding entertainment
If you’re particularly set on somebody and they’re available you need to get on and book them pronto.
