If you’re hoping to have a short engagement, you’re not alone! It turns out, 19% of engaged couples plan a wedding in six months or less.
It may take some extra effort at the beginning, but it definitely can be done! Here are some tips to help ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Start with Your Budget
It is always important that you start your wedding planning by setting up a budget. You’ll also want to confirm who is contributing and make a list of your “must-have” items.
This will help ensure that you allocate enough money to the things that are truly important to you.
2. Choose Your Venue
When you’re dealing with a short timeframe, it’s important that you book your wedding venue as early as possible. This is one of the most important pieces of the wedding planning puzzle.
Many popular venues book a year or more in advance, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. The sooner you reach out, the more likely you are to find a solution you’re really excited about.
If you’re willing to be flexible with you wedding dates – consider a Friday or a Sunday wedding, you might still be able to get the venue of your dreams. You may also want to consider finding a location where you can have your ceremony and reception on the same property.
Another option is to explore venues like The Madison Event Center. With six ballrooms to choose from, there’s a good chance that there will be one available on one of the dates you’re open to.
3. Secure Your Vendors
Great wedding vendors also book up pretty quickly. Start reaching out to DJs, florists, bakeries, photographers, and videographers now as well. Starting early will increase the chances you can get the vendors you want, and if they’re not available, it will give you time to find an alternative.
4. Say “Yes!” to the Dress
If you were planning to have your wedding dress custom-made, you could run into some roadblocks. Typically, custom wedding dresses take a minimum of six months to make. However, if you have your heart set on it, you might be able to pay extra for a rush order.
In many cases, though, it’s not worth the hassle. There are plenty of stunning wedding gowns that you can get from ready-to-wear bridal shops.
Short time frame wedding planning should not keep you from getting the dress of your dreams. Start exploring your options as early as possible, so you have time to find a dress you truly love.
5. Finalize Your Guest List
When you book your venue, you’ll already need to have a general idea of how many guests you’ll invite. Now, it’s time to finalize your guest list so you can start thinking about sending out your wedding invitations. Ideally, you’ll want to do finalize your list about five months before your planned wedding date.
6. Consider an All-Inclusive Venue
With all the details to cover and the short timeframe you’re dealing with, opting for an all-inclusive venue can really take off some of the pressure. While planning a wedding in under 6 months could be a struggle for the average person, for an all-inclusive venue’s professional staff, it’s a piece of cake and they shine!
Look for a package that includes your ceremony and reception space, linens, decor, menu, bar, and a dedicated event specialist. This will make planning your wedding very manageable so you and your fiancé can actually enjoy the time leading up to your wedding day.
7. Choose Your Wedding Party
If you’re going to have bridesmaids and groomsmen, you’ll also want to invite them to be a part of your wedding party as soon as possible. This will give them time to arrange their schedules and budget the money they’ll need for their formalwear and other expenses.
Once the party has committed, you’ll also want to choose and order your bridesmaids’ dresses. While they don’t take as long as a wedding dress, this still could take some time. If you want to make things easy, consider ready-to-wear dresses or let each bridesmaid choose their own dress in a color you choose.
8. Send Out Your Wedding Invitations
You’ll want to give your wedding guests as much notice as possible to ensure that they can make arrangements to attend your big day. Generally, it’s recommended that you send invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding date. This means you’ll need to choose and order them well in advance of this timeframe.
9. Get Your Wedding Bands
Many wedding bands are made-to-order, so it could take anywhere from two to three months for you to receive your bands. This means that you’ll want to select and order your bands a minimum of four months before your planned wedding date.
10. Choose Your Cake, Food, and Bar Menu
One of the best parts of planning a wedding reception is getting to taste the food! Your cake decorator should offer to give you a tasting so you can choose the perfect flavors for your wedding. You’ll also want to discuss the size and style of your wedding cake and finalize the details.
If you’ve chosen an all-inclusive package, you’ll likely be able to plan your menu, bar selections, and more all at the same time. This may include a champagne toast, beer and wine, and even a signature cocktail.
Planning a tasting with your event coordinator is a great way to take a break from the stress of planning so you and your fiancé can enjoy time with each other while also getting excited about your upcoming nuptials.
11. Book Your Honeymoon
After the wedding, look forward to some relaxation and enjoy the time away. Make sure your honeymoon goes off without a hitch by planning it ahead of time. Make sure you book your flights, hotel accommodations, and any “must-do” excursions at least one to two months before your wedding date.
We adore a couple that just cannot wait to be married!
When you book your wedding reception at The Madison Event Center, our Event Detail Specialists will help ease the stress of planning.
We’ll make sure no important details are overlooked and help ensure that your big day is perfect! Contact us today to learn more!
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