Planning a wedding is not an easy thing. Planning a wedding that will take place in 6 months or less is even more difficult. These are some helpful steps in planning an amazing wedding in such a short time.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Planning ahead
Step 1. Prepare yourself mentally
Get into the right frame of mind. Be prepared to compromise. Go into your wedding planning with an open and flexible mind. You may have it all planned in mind, but without keeping the idea flexible, you will become frustrated and disappointed. Get ready to change the ideas you dream of a wedding. Not only do you have to be flexible with the planning, but you also have to be willing to compromise financially. Don't try to over-plan or control it. Respond with lightness and a sense of humor.
Step 2. Decide on a budget and stick with it
This is the first step in planning any wedding and it becomes even more important when planning it in such a short timeframe. Due to the short time frame, the money you spend won't be spread over a year or two. You need to pay attention to which money to spend and still be able to live and pay your bills. You may need to lower your vision of your marriage. It's easy to depend on a loan, but you need to seriously consider whether it's a healthy start if you're planning to enter a wedding with huge bills, just for a grand wedding. Nobody wants to start a marriage in a bankruptcy court. The main reason why early marriages fail is due to financial pressure. Watch carefully.
Step 3. Work with your partner on the guest list
Determine how many people you can host with your budget and available space. As you proceed with the planning process, the size of the guest list will likely affect the destination you choose, and conversely, the destination chosen may affect how many people you can invite. If you can get an idea of the number of guests at once, it will help you throughout the planning process. Start gathering their addresses together, but don't worry about invitations until you're absolutely sure you'll invite them (and can accommodate them).
Step 4. Buy a wedding planning book or make your own
Make sure the book has a calendar and pockets to store flyers and scraps of paper. This will help you organize your ideas and store your contact information, all in one place. Write down the name of the vendor you have contacted with their contact information, as well as the date and time of the agreement. You can also add fabric swatches and photos of flowers to show your florist.
Start planning it as soon as you can, once you've decided on a date! If you tackle everything from scratch, you'll have more time to enjoy your engagement and more time to focus on the little things (for example, the color of the letters on your invitations)
Step 5. Create a timeline with a to-do list
The timeline will vary depending on where you live and where the items for the wedding are sold. The timeline can change drastically if you're planning a wedding in January or June. If you live in an average-sized city, most of the following steps will need to be completed within the first months and a half of a month apart to make or take orders from vendors (florists, photographers, wedding dresses, etc.). When planning something quickly and in bulk, decisions have to be made within the first month. You'll just spend the next few months making repairs and hoping there won't be any major bottlenecks.
Step 6. Consider a destination for the wedding
This is usually the easiest thing to do in a short period of time. All you have to do is show up on time, get married and have a great time. This will likely save you money in the long run. Consider your options. Most resorts have it all and it is possible to schedule several events at once in a short period of time.
- The trip will help sift through your guest list and likely only your closest close and outgoing friends will attend.
- This is often a combination of a wedding, reception and honeymoon, all rolled into one to save even more.
- Flowers and cake are often included in the cost.
- Few hotels in Las Vegas (USA) can host a beautiful and tasteful wedding. Don't assume that every religious officer in Las Vegas is someone who imitates Elvis.
- Inform everyone in advance if you plan to travel overseas. It takes time to get a passport. Don't wait for invitations to be distributed. Remind everyone that it takes longer to get a passport and don't let them delay. Don't assume everyone knows that getting a passport is not a quick thing.
Step 7. Consider using a casual wedding theme
Make it a great party, rather than a formal event. Get creative and try to plan something fun. Remember, at the end of the day, you will still be married, so don't be too rigid with your wedding if the preparation time is short. Think outside the box and you'll have a wedding that's more memorable than your friends planning twice as long and spending ten times as much time.
- Get married in the zoo and ride an elephant. Place animals that are usually in cages, around the reception hall with their handlers, to be able to answer questions. Have the bride wear a white cotton casual dress and the groom in khaki. You can also wear a beautiful after and a white dress with an exotic flower in the hair.
- Get married on Halloween weekend and ask everyone present to wear costumes. Rent some fabulous Victorian costumes (well in advance), Romeo and Juliet or some other couple. Decorate with mountain craters and dry ice. No one will forget it!
- Get married on the beach, in the morning and have the reception at a local restaurant, between breakfast and lunch, in a private room.
- Go to the mountains and get married on the slopes of the mountains. Instead of dresses and tuxedos, go for white and black snow gear. Pin beautiful flowers on your ski jacket. The party can be held at the inn.
- Find a sailboat and explore the possibilities of throwing a simple party on it for the ceremony, then they sail back to the dock for a great beach party or try a nearby restaurant.
Step 8. Decide on a date and have an alternative
Check with your ceremony location options to find out their availability and whether the cost fits into your overall plan. If you just wait, you run the risk that the date may not be available. If you find a place you like, which is available and within your price range, you should book it and not have to wait.
- If the venue is out of your price range or has already been booked, you can inquire for an alternative day. Weddings on Fridays and Sundays have become more common, especially in big cities, where there is a very high demand and cost for Saturdays. They will probably offer Fridays and Sundays at a lower price.
- At the same time also ask the possibility of getting a wedding schedule in the morning if on the same day there is another event in the afternoon.
- Be realistic, a Valentine's Day wedding is going to be a very difficult thing to book in such a short time, unless you can get really creative. Prices will soar on that day due to demand and supply.
- Inquire about return or cancellation policies for short-term bookings. They may have a contract that states that cancellation must be made at least 6 months in advance to get a deposit refund. Having been in this timeframe, you have to be very careful what you order and in offering deposits. Also ask if the contract can be changed because you made a late booking. They may give you an extra month within the cancellation/rearrangement window.
Step 9. Do some research on reception venues to see what's available that fits your budget
Consider a typical reception hall, but also learn about historic buildings, museums, vineyards, art galleries, botanical gardens, historic hotels with meeting rooms. A zoo can also be a unique venue for a reception, which may be more affordable, available on short notice and really fast, for a memorable wedding.
- Determine if a reception venue is available, where you will be holding the ceremony. This will make things a lot easier to plan and more affordable. You don't have to prepare transportation for the wedding and this will save you one thing to book and pay for.
- If you are having trouble finding an available reception venue, contact your local caterer and ask them for a list of local reception venues. They will usually be more than willing to help, especially if you are a potential customer.
- Consider holding a wedding around a major holiday, where churches and reception halls are likely to have been decorated.
- You can easily throw a wedding with up to 30 guests in the dining room of an old house, historic venue or building, beautiful private garden or outdoor venue with a view. With such a small number of people attending, you can easily move the event to an extraordinary location outside the city, so don't feel tied down that you have to plan it only within the city. Consider beaches, neighboring towns, parks, outdoor spots with great views or scenic historical spots in your state.
Step 10. Call the religious officials for the ceremony
Certain religions or churches require couples to attend premarital counseling. If you want a clergyman who is religious, the clergy will probably want to meet with you and your partner before the wedding, to discuss wedding vows, how they usually perform the ceremony and other details. Don't wait until the last second. Priests can be ordered well in advance, but they generally hold several ceremonies in one day. You may need to be flexible with timing if you want to get the desired religious officer. If they are unable to do so, you can ask if there is an associate pastor available or if they can recommend someone else.
Step 11. Consider breaking up the date
Compromise. Host a small wedding with your closest family and friends. Plan a big party/reception with all your friends and spread the word out a few months after the wedding or on your first wedding anniversary. You will have time to really plan it out. This is a common thing to do after holding a close wedding party. The advantages include:
- You'll be able to plan it on a Friday night and not be limited to a later time or a wedding in the evening.
- You will not be tensed and can enjoy it
- You don't have to leave the party midway for your honeymoon
- You have a reason to wear a wedding gown or buy a fabulous white cocktail dress.
- You can celebrate it twice.
- You can have a wedding at your destination or an outing and still have a reception or after party for all your friends to attend.
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Details
Step 1. Find your dress
Shopping for wedding dresses can be fun, but most places will take 4-6 months to ship your dress. This is the last thing you want to worry about. Remember, there are changes that may also need to be made. Instead of going to a store to make a special order, visit a bridal shop which has a wide selection of dresses. Try to find a dress that is available on the shelf, which does not need to be ordered in advance. You don't have time to fit it constantly. Keep that in mind when trying on clothes. Sometimes, that fabulous dress will not look so great when you don't have a dress ready for your wedding day or it will leave you bald from pulling your hair out, so annoyed.
- Dresses that have lace on the back will be easier to fit and will require fewer visits to the tailor.
- You will probably need to drive to a larger city, to find a store that has a wide variety of dresses in various sizes. Bring your friends or family who are easy to go shopping with and don't make the process more difficult. Bring along your bra and a pair of heels to measure the length. Bring a pair of Spanx (stretchy underwear, to reduce the size of your dress). If you find a dress that is too tight, try again by using the supporting underwear. Bring a camera and take a photo of yourself in the dress if allowed.
- Remember the venue. A long cathedral dress ala Princess Diana is not necessarily going to look good in every place. The smaller the venue, the shorter the wedding dress should be. If you don't know the venue yet, opt for a shorter and simpler wedding dress.
- Don't be afraid of the consignment shop. If the dress isn't perfect, you can always ask them to remove some of the bulk quite easily, but don't do a full reconstruction unless you're comfortable with the tailor.
- Respect your legacy and ask mothers, grandmothers, aunts and others if anyone has a wedding dress. A classic dress will make the event that much more special. They will most likely feel very honored if you wear their dress and won't mind changing it. It's enough just to ask.
Step 2. Decide who you want to take part in the wedding and ask them
- Consider combining the wedding party in a traditional way. Ask one of the closest family members to stand with the bride and one with the groom. The maid of honor can wear one of her gowns or a cocktail dress and the groom's companion can wear a suit. Even if you have four sisters, just explain and tell them that you can only choose one. Ask your mother to stand with you. You don't really need all the maids, junior bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearers, etc. Keep it very simple.
- Remember, the more people you ask, the more money and time it will cost you in the long run.
- Don't assume every one of your friends has to be at the ceremony. Chances are they will secretly thank you, because being in a marriage takes a lot of time and money for everyone. If they love you, they will continue to help and may even be more motivated.
- There's a time constraint here, so consider people who may have to travel long distances to get involved.
- Surround yourself with positive and light-hearted people. You don't have time for drama queens or emotional vampires.
Step 3. Choose dresses for the maids of the bride
Like wedding gowns, it can take several months to receive if you order it and may need to be changed by your maids. The maids of the bride may not be very "attentive" in your timeframe, so try to choose a dress that is less shaped or has lace instead of a zipper. They will save money on changing and small details won't be a big deal, if they don't use a good tailor.
- Visit major shopping malls and bridal shops for a chance to buy what's available. Bring your bridesmaids along so they can fit them in.
- Don't worry about different dress styles. As long as the colors are the same, you can use different styles. This can be a great way to find dresses that fit a variety of body shapes, without having to make big changes.
- Consider going to the formal gown section of the shopping center (instead of the bridal department), for your maids' dresses, instead of visiting a bridal shop. They will get their dresses quicker and possibly save money at the same time. Partial payments and changes are also sometimes included.
Step 4. Schedule a time for the groomsman's tuxedo or suit measurements
Tuxedo measurements need to be done several times and this is needed to get the best fit. If they live out of town, they can be measured by the tuxedo rental shop closest to them and the size can be sent to your local tuxedo shop.
- Don't let the groomsmen guess the size or allow someone other than the tuxedo shop to measure them.
- Ask the groomsmen to pick up their tuxedos a few days before the wedding. Thursday morning is usually the latest day for a Saturday wedding. They should try on tuxedos, shoes, etc. immediately. If there is a problem with the size or measurement results, the shop can still get it take a day or two, to find a way out and the possibility to accept delivery of other sizes.
Step 5. Meet a few different photographers
Most photographers are busy and have limited schedules. However, if you start early, your date will most likely still be available. Consider asking a friend who you know can take amazing photos. You may have to sacrifice photos in various poses, as it takes practice to prepare.
- Keep in mind that an experienced professional wedding photographer will produce quality images, in any weather or regardless of circumstances that may arise unexpectedly.
- Ask your local camera shop if they know any budding photographers or anyone just starting out in wedding photography. They may know someone not listed in the phone book, who can make for great work.
- Ask that you can see all of their photos from a complete wedding, not just the 'best' of multiple weddings
- The perception is that digital costs are cheaper, so the fixed costs will be minimal. Photographers will explain to you that the investment in professional equipment is much higher and that photo editing is much more time intensive than days on a roll of film. Compare cost with quality, ask questions and use someone you can easily communicate with.
- You may want to save money by making arrangements with the photographer and getting a CD of your pictures to print at your local photo shop.
- Keep in mind that the photographer owns the copyright (by law, whoever takes the pictures is the owner), so make sure that any reproduction of the images is authorized in writing by the photographer.
- Add disposable cameras to reception desks. Leave a note for guests to take photos, and leave the camera. Remind them that the camera is not a toy for their children.
Step 6. Sign up for a wedding gift at a store that offers the service
Most national shopping malls and discount stores provide registration for wedding gifts. Its national network also makes it easier for people outside the city.
- If you're having a small and simple wedding, it's a good idea to keep the gift list simple and focus on the essentials (towels, common crockery, cooking utensils, items for serving meals, etc.).
- If you have a bigger budget and can make the most of your wedding and reception, even in a short time frame, you can request more luxurious gifts, such as expensive glassware, crystal and silver.
- Ethics recommends that everyone invited to a bachelorette party should also be invited to the wedding and/or reception. The exception is a destination wedding with a reception or event/lunch invitation hosted by co-workers.
- Men can also hold the event. If the couple needs a lot of stuff to get started, ask a brother or friend to throw a courtyard party for the groom. Make sure he signs up for the items.
- Sign up for a store or two. Try to consider convenient stores for friends and family.
- Remember to buy acknowledgments and stamps. Send the thank you note as soon as possible, after you receive a gift or if someone helped your wedding in some way. You don't have much time and if your attention is distracted, you may not be able to send the card in the appropriate time frame.
Step 7. Visit a florist
If you find one that is reputable and possible, you should order it right away. Hopefully, you've browsed wedding books and floral design sites to get an idea of how your flowers will look. Ideally, you print the pictures and save them in your wedding book.
- Not all flowers are available all year round. You may find that you have to pay almost twice as much for one type of flower that is out of season and difficult to bring in, but you can replace it with a similar type of flower, which is more widely available.
- Ask your florist for any ideas they have for making them more affordable.
- Consider a simple design with one type of flower or several simple types of flowers with a beautiful ribbon. This is to keep costs down! Don't forget that many types of flowers will usually die the next day.
-
Can't find a florist? Do not panic! You just have to rethink and compromise.
- Call back all the florists and ask about renting potted plants, asking them to make corsages and boutonnieres, so you can pick them up. the day before. Ask them to use flowers that last longer!
- Ask them to prepare simple, but durable flowers, which are wrapped in ribbon to make a bouquet (again, which you will pick up the day before and soaked in water).
- The florist will still do most of the work, but you'll need to pick it up the day before, put everything in its place and maybe even bring the plants back to the florist.
- They may see this as a way to get extra business, without actually having to visit the wedding venue to decorate it.
Step 8. Go to your local printer and have a look at the invitation book
Try to choose the type that doesn't require much preparation when the invitation arrives. Invitations that use ribbons may look tiny, but do you really have the time to attach them, put them in an envelope, write down the address and send them?
- Most bridal shops have invitation books available to order. Ask in advance how long it will take to prepare.
- It would probably be better for you, to get a simple invitation from a local printer. With technology available, most local printers can do good work. They may also feel more compelled to do better, since you're also a local and reputation is everything.
Step 9. Call your local caterer and discuss food options for your reception
Discuss various menus and costs. Also discuss whether you want to offer alcoholic beverages and how to serve them.
- Would you offer guests to eat their food by sitting at the table? It would be cheaper to offer it as a heavy hors d'ourves or buffet. That will save more money for alcoholic drinks.
- Consider offering only beer, wine and champagne, to save extra costs.
- Do not offer alcoholic beverages. Save even more by offering coffee, tea or fruit juice for a wedding taking place in the early afternoon.
- As long as the reception doesn't take place between meals, you can avoid serving a lot of food. Plan your wedding after lunch, but before dinner, to cut catering costs. The guests must have been presumed to have eaten.
- Offer coffee or reception cakes with sandwiches, cheese and cider snacks, and other snacks. Use the grocery store to prepare sandwiches, and ask a volunteer to prepare the meals. Skip to use one caterer all at once.
- Determine what will happen to leftover food and drink. If you pay for it, then it's yours. Save and freeze leftovers, prepare a picnic basket for your honeymoon trip. Bring storage bins and have someone pack them up after the reception is over.
- Decide when you will give them the last count for the head count or the last date for changing the menu. If your budget is getting out of hand, it's a good thing to cut back on the catering side.
- Decide if you need a one-day license to serve alcoholic beverages or if it is provided by the reception or catering establishment.
Step 10. Contact your local bakery or wedding cake specialist to select and order your cake
Tell them how many people will be attending. Tell them whether your wedding will be indoors or outdoors, so they can advise on what materials will withstand the weather. No one wants to see a cake melt.
Step 11. Find a band or DJ
If you're booking a band or DJ, you might want to start looking around and see who's good for the venue. With a short schedule, a DJ may be more affordable and more flexible. Ask around you and see who is recommended. As always, if the best has already been ordered, ask who else they recommend. Meet and discuss the track list.
- If you're planning something small, don't worry about entertaining everyone with a dance reception.
- Contact your local music college to make arrangements to present a small string section for the wedding.
- For a super small wedding, you can skip the music at the same time. If the event was so intimate, everyone would recognize the other person and they would also chat with each other.
Step 12. Start making plans for your honeymoon
Booking flights and hotel tickets in advance can help you save money and if a passport and/or visa is required it may take several months.
Part 3 of 3: Approaching the Day
Step 1. Get a marriage certificate
Find out what your state requires to apply for a marriage certificate. Do you or your partner need a copy of the birth certificate? Do you have a certified copy? Find out specifically what is needed, so you can order a suitable copy or signed original, if needed. Do you need a copy of the divorce certificate? You may have to contact the county where your divorce was legalized to get it.
Step 2. Follow up everything, along with the planning process
Continue to follow up and check the status of things related to your party, your vendors, etc. With a tight timeline, you shouldn't let anyone lose focus.
Step 3. Schedule makeup and hair for yourself, the mothers and the maids of the bride for the wedding day
It is normal for them to be responsible for supporting themselves. Don't feel obligated to pay for them, but don't give them a particular style request, unless you're going to cover the bill.
Step 4. Make a list of the things you will need on your wedding day
Keep this list in your planning book. Add every thing you can think of to it. Discuss this with your maids or maids of honor. See if they can help you remember or keep an eye on your bags.
Step 5. Get a wedding prep bag. Here are some things you might need, which are generally needed and sometimes forgotten:
- duct tape. Seriously, this is the best, call it fixing hems, rips, holding bras in place. Supermodels use it and wedding planners bond with it.
- Lighted makeup mirror
- Rotating fan (wedding gowns are not comfortable to wear all the time, the bride will feel quite warm while waiting)
- Advil, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol
- Additional makeup, powder, lip color
- Comfortable sandals or shoes for before or after the wedding if your feet feel too tired
- Baby powder, used to cover stains on dresses
- Hair accessories: hair clips, super strong hairspray, curling irons
- Supplies for the body: deodorant, perfume, bra, basic clothes, etc.
- Sewing kit with coiled threads of the same color as the bride's gown, maid of honor gown and tuxedo.
Step 6. Congratulations
You should be well on your way to an extraordinary and memorable wedding, one that will bring pleasure to you, your future spouse and your guests. Keep in mind that small, sweet and intimate is always better than big, general and luxurious.
Tips
- Some dresses may take a little longer to be accepted. This depends on the maker. Try to set up twice as much time as they say (if they say 2 months, prepare 4 months and you should still have a pretty safe timeframe to make changes). This will give you extra time to send the dress back, should they make a mistake. Beware of salespeople who seem to promise too much. If it sounds too beautiful to be true, it will be.
- Keep your sense of humor and be flexible. Things are likely to go wrong and you should prepare yourself for one or more major disappointments.
- If you pick up flowers or plants from the florist the day before, you should ask the florist for details on how to store the flowers. They may recommend storing it in a cool place. Ask if you should store it in a refrigerator or in a cooled room.
- Before the big day arrives, delegate the important things to people you can trust. For example, ask someone to make sure that the bride and groom will not see each other, ask someone to come to the reception early to light the candles, etc. Once you get the hang of it, let them handle it! Don't be a boss and try to run everything. Relax and enjoy the moments of marrying the person you've been dreaming of!!
- Weddings at the destination need not be on an exotic island or in a distant place. You can have your wedding at your destination at a nearby resort. Every state has one or look for it in a neighboring state. Consider a place where most people can travel by car (not too far, only a few hours max), instead of having to travel by plane and be able to spend a night or two in a comfortable hotel, without spending money in the bank.
- Think about bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts ahead of time. You certainly don't want to wait until the last minute as these things can get expensive. Avoid getting personally involved if someone backs down.
- Be realistic. You may have to have a smaller and simpler wedding, and not have to deal with anything grandiose. Sometimes, the most beautiful weddings are the simple ones and not the grand ones, which are out of place, because they were prepared too soon or with the wrong people.
- When wedding planning starts to give you a headache, say these words to yourself over and over, "This isn't about me, it's about the wedding." Don't get so hung up on one thing in your marriage that you neglect other things.
- If you are working with a wedding planner, you should try to find someone with a good reputation available. They may arrange another wedding on the same day as you, but it's still possible to help with planning. Ask. If they have been booked, maybe they can recommend some other people to contact.
- Keep an immediate family with children in mind when planning a destination for a wedding. Some self-catering resorts do not allow the presence of children and like most airlines, they may charge an adult fee for children. Costs can be more expensive for a family with children.
Warning
- Don't wait until the last minute to get things done. This will add to the tension on everyone involved.
- Make sure the vendors document and sign any promises not stated in the contract (if the order is wrong or the color is not as promised, they will pay the shipping costs for a prompt replacement, etc.). Any guarantees they give verbally must be written down and included in the contract.
- If you include people at the wedding who don't support you, then this can cause a lot of tension in the next few months. Be careful in deciding who will take part.
- Be clear about the cancellation or rescheduling policies for each vendor you hire. Since you made a late booking, you may not be entitled to a refund, should you need to adjust the time or date.
- Keep copies of all contracts, receipts, canceled checks, order forms, deposit forms, etc.
- Get everything in writing from the vendor you hire. Check with them every few weeks. Don't assume you're "according to the plan."
- Double-check your documents while still with a vendor or sales person. Make sure they have deducted the correct amount from any deposit and left an appropriate balance to pay.
- Carefully read the fine print in all contracts. They may not offer a return or cancellation policy within 6 months. Once you order, you're tied. Ask if they'll give you an extra 30 days from booking (it never hurts to ask and it can save you, if you make another deal).
- Watch out for hidden fees. When using a church, they will usually not only charge you for the clergy's fees, but also for the organist, use of the facilities and staff who may have to arrive early and make sure the heating or air conditioning is working properly. These costs can increase to close to $1,000 in smaller cities. Even if you are a member, you will still find hidden fees and payments, which must be incurred for those who work in the church.
