Planning A Wedding In Half A Year

Planning a wedding in six months may seem like a daunting task, but it is entirely achievable with the right checklist and timeline. Many couples have successfully planned their dream wedding in six months or less, and you can too! The key is to stay organised, be flexible, and make quick decisions.

The first two months are crucial for laying the foundation of your wedding plans. Start by setting your budget and determining your priorities, wedding style or theme, and guest list. Research and book your wedding venue, select a date, and begin shopping for your wedding attire. It is also important to book key vendors such as photographers, caterers, and DJs early on, as they tend to get booked up quickly.

As you approach the wedding day, focus on refining your choices and making important decisions about attire, décor, and finalising details. Confirm all the arrangements with your vendors, create a wedding day timeline, and don't forget to relax and enjoy the lead-up to your big day!

Budgeting and choosing a date

Budgeting:

Determining your wedding budget is crucial as it will impact every decision and purchase you make. Here are some key considerations for creating your budget:

• Identify who will be contributing financially and how much they are willing to spend.
• Be realistic about what you can afford by considering your daily expenses, debts, and other financial commitments.
• Discuss your priorities and must-haves with your partner to allocate funds accordingly.
• Research the average costs of weddings in your area, including venue hire, catering, entertainment, etc.
• Use a budget tracker or spreadsheet to stay organised and keep track of your spending.

A sample wedding budget breakdown, with percentages, can guide you in allocating funds:

• Reception venue, catering, and rentals: 40-45%
• Wedding planner/coordinator: 5-15%
• Photography and/or videography: 10-12%
• Reception music/entertainment: 10%
• Stationery (invitations, save-the-dates, etc.): 2-3%
• Flowers and decor: 8-10%
• Wedding attire and beauty: 7-9%
• Wedding cake and desserts: 2%
• Transportation: 2-3%
• Wedding bands: 1%
• Favours and gifts: 1-2%

Choosing a Date:

When it comes to choosing a wedding date, there are several factors to consider:

• Symbolic dates: You may want to marry on an anniversary, a significant date for your culture, or during a particular season.
• Venue availability: Your chosen venue's availability may dictate your date, especially if you have your heart set on a specific location.
• Guest availability: Consider whether you're set on certain guests attending and choose a date that works for them.
• Peak vs off-peak dates: Opting for an off-peak date can save you money, but be mindful of holidays and local events that may impact availability and prices.
• Day of the week: Saturdays are popular but consider a weekday wedding for more availability and lower prices.

Remember, while these are important considerations, the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy with the date and it suits your needs.

With a clear budget and chosen date, you'll be well on your way to planning your dream wedding!

Wedding attire

Planning a wedding in six months is a challenge, but it can be done. Here is a guide to the wedding attire for the happy couple and their wedding party.

The Happy Couple's Attire

The wedding dress often takes centre stage, but with a shorter timeline, it is important to be flexible and manage expectations.

• Custom-made wedding dresses usually need to be ordered at least six months in advance, but they can be purchased in a shorter time frame—just be aware that you will likely have to pay a rush fee.
• Ready-to-wear bridal shops, sample sales, non-bridal ready-to-wear designers, or rental sites are good options for dresses that can be taken home on the same day or delivered quickly.
• Large chain retailers can be a good option, as they often have more buying power and can accommodate shorter timelines.
• Online retailers or rental companies have stepped up their game and often provide detailed size and fit information.
• Department stores during prom season (March to May) often have a good selection of white gowns at decent prices.

For the groom, a tuxedo or suit can be rented or purchased from a department store or specialist retailer.

Bridal Party Attire

The bridal party includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers.

• Bridesmaids' dresses can be purchased and delivered on a shorter timeline than a wedding dress, but they still take a while, so consider ready-to-wear alternatives or ask your bridesmaids to pick their own dresses within a specified colour palette.
• Groomsmen can rent suits or tuxedos, or they can wear their own suits in a certain colour.
• Flower girls and ring bearers can also be dressed in off-the-rack outfits in colours that match the wedding theme.

Guest Attire

The wedding attire for guests will depend on the dress code specified by the couple. This could range from white tie (the most formal) to black tie, black-tie optional, formal, cocktail, semi-formal, dressy casual, or casual (the least formal). The time of day and venue of the wedding can also provide clues about the expected attire. For example, a backyard wedding is likely to be more casual, while a castle wedding is likely to be formal or black tie.

Wedding rings

Planning a wedding in six months is certainly possible, but it will require careful planning and some compromises. Here is a guide to help you with the wedding rings, a crucial part of your special day.

Timing and Budget

It is recommended to start looking for wedding rings at least two to three months before the wedding. If you are going for custom rings, allow at least six months, and an additional month if you want them engraved. Setting a budget for the rings is also an important early step, as this will help you avoid falling in love with a ring that is out of your price range.

Style and Design

There are many factors to consider when choosing the style and design of your wedding rings. Do you want them to match your partner's ring? Do you want them to complement your engagement ring? What type of band width, finish, and material do you prefer?

If you plan on wearing your engagement ring on the same finger as your wedding ring, consider how the two will interact. You may want them to be made from the same material, or for one to be more simple and the other to be the standout piece. If you want your engagement and wedding rings to be a set, it is a good idea to let your partner know when they are choosing the engagement ring, as you may be able to get a better deal when buying both at the same time.

Your lifestyle is another important consideration when choosing a wedding ring. If you have an active lifestyle and work with your hands, you may want to opt for a more simple band that is practical and requires less maintenance.

Types of Wedding Bands

There are many types of wedding bands to choose from, including minimalist bands, diamond bands, eternity bands, enhancers, and engraved bands. The type of band you choose will depend on your personal style and budget.

Metal Types

The type of metal you choose for your wedding band will affect the look, wear, maintenance, and price of the ring. Here are some popular options:

• Yellow gold: A traditional choice for wedding rings, available in different karat weights, with higher karat weights being more pure and expensive.
• White gold: Yellow gold alloyed with palladium and silver, with a bright, white appearance. Requires replating with rhodium every few years.
• Platinum: The most rare, lasting, and durable metal option, but also the most expensive.
• Palladium: A member of the platinum family with a bright white sheen, less dense, and more affordable.
• Silver: A softer, less durable, and more affordable option than other precious metals.
• Vermeil: Made from sterling silver plated with a thick layer of gold, offering durability and a gold appearance at a lower price point.
• Titanium: Strong, durable, lightweight, and hypoallergenic, with a dark grey appearance.
• Cobalt chrome: Bright white in color, scratch-resistant, and popular for those who work with their hands.
• Tungsten carbide: Scratch-resistant, affordable, and available in various shades.
• Zirconium: Similar to titanium in strength and weight, with a grey/white luster that can be treated to form a black, scratch-resistant coating.
• Stainless steel: Durable, strong, hypoallergenic, and affordable, with a bright sheen.
• Silicone: Affordable, durable, comfortable, and can even be made to mimic the look of metal.
• Wooden: Unique, eco-friendly, and affordable, often chosen by those with metal allergies or who work with heat or electricity.

Ring Width and Profile

The width of your wedding band will affect the overall aesthetic and comfort of the ring. Try on rings with different widths to find the right fit for your finger. The profile of the ring describes the shape of the inside and outside, with popular options including court, D-shape, flat, flat court, and halo.

Ring Finish

The finish of your wedding band will affect the look of the ring, with popular options including mirror, fine matte, coarse matte, hammered, sandblast, and stardust.

Timing and Logistics

When planning your wedding in six months, it is recommended to purchase your wedding bands at the four to five-month mark. This will give you enough time to allow for any engraving or customisation, and to finalise the design and size.

Choosing a wedding ring is a highly personal decision that should reflect your style, lifestyle, and budget. By allowing enough time, doing your research, and considering the various factors involved, you can find the perfect wedding ring to symbolise your love and commitment.

Venue and catering

The first thing to do is to decide on the date and location of your wedding. Compromising is key here, as larger venues are likely to be booked up on Saturdays in the summer months. You could consider a weekday wedding, which may offer more availability and a lower price tag. Allocate a block of time to visit your favourite venues to see what works best for you.

Once you have your venue, it's time to send out your invitations. With a shorter timeline, you can forget the 'save the dates' and go straight to sending out the invitations, giving your guests as much notice as possible.

If your venue does not include catering, book your caterers within a month of choosing your venue. It is recommended to find a wedding caterer six to eight months before the wedding, but it can be done in a shorter timeframe. Research catering companies in your area and set up a time to meet with them to discuss your menu and packages. You will then need to go over the contract, sign it, and make a deposit.

Four to six months before the wedding, you should have a final count of all the wedding guests and inform your caterers. This is also the time to discuss any special dietary requirements. Two to three months before the wedding, you will need to finalise the floor plan and seating arrangements with your caterers, as well as go through the list of rental items such as linens, tables, and chairs.

One month before the wedding, review and sign the catering contract, confirming the timeline of the day with the caterers. The week before the wedding, reconfirm your final guest count and inform the catering company of any changes. The day before the wedding, go through all the final details with your caterers, communicating your expectations so that they can meet your needs.

Guest list and invites

Planning a wedding in six months is challenging but can be done. Here is a guide to creating your guest list and sending out your invitations within this timeframe:

Guest List

Creating a guest list can be a daunting task, but it is one of the first and most important jobs on your wedding checklist. Here are some steps to help you create your guest list:

• Write a list of everyone you would consider inviting. Start with immediate family and close friends, and work outwards to include colleagues, distant relatives, acquaintances, and their partners and children.
• Separate out your top-tier guests – the non-negotiables who you wouldn't get married without. These guests are your priority, and the rest can be invited if your budget and venue allow.
• Work out how many guests you can afford. The number of guests you can invite will depend on your budget and the size of your venue. Be prepared to compromise on your chosen date and consider alternative venues if your preferred option is unavailable.
• Consider your parents' input, especially if they are contributing financially. Be upfront and show them your plan, allowing them to air any concerns respectfully. You could reserve a portion of your guest list for them to allocate themselves, as long as it works with your budget and venue capacity.
• Be fair with family. Try to treat members of different families in the same way to avoid hurt feelings. For example, if you invite four cousins, the fifth will probably be upset if they are left out.
• Remember, it's your day. You don't have to invite anyone you don't want to, even if you feel obliged.

Invites

Once you have your venue and ceremony booked, it's time to send out your invitations. Here are some tips to help you with this process:

• Send your invitations as soon as possible after booking your venue, to give your guests as much notice as possible. With a shorter planning timeline, you may need to compromise on your chosen date, so it's best to get your invitations out quickly.
• For a local celebration, send your invitations eight weeks in advance. For a destination wedding, allow more time and send them out 10-12 weeks before the wedding.
• Be prepared for some guests to decline your invitation. You can then fill these spots by sending out a second round of invites to people on your original master list. Send these invitations as soon as possible so that no one feels like an afterthought.
• If you have a wedding website, make sure it is up and running before you send out your invitations, and include the URL on the invites.

Frequently asked questions