Planning A Small Wedding? Here's How To Do It Quickly

Planning a small wedding in a month is a challenging but rewarding task. The first step is to figure out a realistic budget and decide on the number of guests. Next, you'll need to find a venue, which could be a private room in a restaurant or an all-inclusive venue with a package deal. It's also important to book a photographer and DJ early on, and consider hiring a day-of coordinator to keep things running smoothly. With a short timeline, it's best not to get too caught up in the small details and remember that the most important things are you, your partner, an officiant, a license, and food and a comfortable space for your guests.

Venue: consider a private room in a restaurant or an all-inclusive venue

When it comes to planning a small wedding in a month, one of the most important things to consider is the venue. A private room in a restaurant or an all-inclusive venue can be a great option for a small wedding.

Private rooms in restaurants are often available to rent and can provide a comfortable and intimate setting for your wedding. They can also be a more affordable option, as most restaurants only charge per person for food, rather than a venue fee. This can save you money on catering, as you won't have to worry about self-catering or hiring an external caterer.

Additionally, restaurants often have their own tables, chairs, and decorations, which can reduce the amount of additional decor you need to source. They may also have winter specials or other promotions, so be sure to ask about any deals or packages they may offer.

If you prefer an all-inclusive venue, these can also be a great option, as they often include everything you need for your wedding in one package. This can save you time and stress, as you won't have to source multiple vendors or worry about coordinating different services. January is typically a slow season for weddings, so you may be able to find some great deals on all-inclusive venues.

When choosing a venue, it's important to consider the size of your guest list and find a space that can comfortably accommodate your group. Remember to book your venue as soon as possible, as availability may be limited with such short notice.

Budget: work out what you can afford and what you want to spend money on

Budgeting is an important part of planning a wedding, especially if you're working to a tight schedule. First, you need to work out a realistic budget. How much can you afford to spend on your wedding? Once you have a figure in mind, you can start allocating your money to different areas.

The venue is likely to be one of your biggest expenses. If you're looking to save money, consider hiring a private room in a restaurant. Most restaurants only charge per person for food, rather than a venue hire fee. You could also look for an all-inclusive venue that offers a package deal, which can save you money and time organising different suppliers.

Food is another essential expense. Catering is necessary, but you don't need to provide a three-course meal. Consider the time of day you get married and whether you want to provide a full meal or just drinks and canapes. If you're getting married in a restaurant, you won't need to worry about catering separately.

Other costs to consider include the photographer, DJ, wedding dress, and any decorations or flowers you want to include. If you're short on time, you might also want to hire a wedding planner or 'day-of coordinator' to help you organise everything. They will have preferred vendors they can recommend and will keep you on track.

Guests: decide who to invite and how many people you want to attend

When it comes to guests, you'll need to decide who to invite and how many people you want to attend. The number of guests will determine the size of the venue you need, so it's important to get an idea of this early on.

If you're planning a small wedding, you might want to consider a restaurant as your venue. Most restaurants don't charge a fee, they simply charge per person for food. This can be a cost-effective option, and it means you don't have to worry about catering separately. You could also look into private rooms within restaurants, which can provide a more intimate setting for your guests.

If you're having guests, it's important to ensure they have a comfortable place to eat and that there is enough food for everyone. You could also consider an all-inclusive venue, which can take care of catering and other details in one go.

Remember, with a small wedding, you can keep the guest list more intimate and focused on those closest to you. This can make the planning process easier and more manageable within a short timeframe.

Food: don't self-cater, but do look for deals and consider the cost per person

When it comes to food, it's important not to self-cater. You don't need the extra stress, and it's not worth the effort when there are plenty of other options available.

Instead, look for deals at restaurants. Many restaurants will have a private room that you can rent out, which will take care of most of the legwork for you. This is a good option because most restaurants don't charge a fee, they just charge per person for food. This makes it easier to manage your budget, and you can also take advantage of winter specials or other deals.

If you don't want to go for a restaurant, consider an all-inclusive venue that comes with a package for everything you need. January is the slow season for weddings, so you should be able to find a good deal.

Photographer and DJ: book these as soon as you've booked your venue

Planning a small wedding in a month is a challenge, but it's certainly possible. The first thing to do is to set a realistic budget. You might be able to find a good deal on a venue at this time of year, as January is the slow season for weddings.

You should also look into catering options. Don't self-cater, as this will add unnecessary stress. Instead, look for a restaurant with a private room that can accommodate your guest list. Most restaurants don't charge a fee, they just charge per person for food.

Finally, don't get too wrapped up in the small details. Focus on the essentials: you, your partner, an officiant, a license, and if you're having guests, food and a comfortable place for them to eat.

Frequently asked questions