Planning A Wedding Quickly: A Stress-Free Guide

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and time-consuming process, with experts recommending that couples allow at least a year to plan a standard, local wedding. However, it is possible to plan a wedding in a shorter time frame if necessary. The key to successful short-term wedding planning is to prioritise tasks and make quick decisions. Couples should start by discussing their vision and priorities, setting a budget, and picking a date. They can then focus on securing a venue, which can be one of the most time-consuming tasks. To keep the wedding planning process as short as possible, couples may also want to consider creating a short guest list, only inviting immediate family members and close friends.

Create a guest list

Creating a guest list is one of the most important steps in planning a wedding. The number of guests you invite will determine the size and intimacy of your wedding. If you want a small, intimate wedding, keep your guest list short.

Start by making a list of your immediate family members, such as parents, grandparents, and siblings. These are the people who are closest to you and who you will likely want to share your special day with. Next, consider your close friends. These are the friends who have been by your side through thick and thin, and who you can't imagine not being at your wedding.

When creating your guest list, it's important to be mindful of your budget and the capacity of your venue. You don't want to invite more people than your venue can accommodate, and you'll need to ensure that your budget can cover the cost of food, drinks, and other expenses for each guest.

Finally, don't be afraid to be selective. It's your wedding day, and you should surround yourself with people who bring you joy and support your relationship. If there are people who you feel obligated to invite but who don't fall into the categories mentioned above, it's okay to leave them off the guest list.

Choose a date

Choosing a date is one of the first steps to take when planning a wedding. Wedding planning can take at least a year, so it's important to get your chosen date in the diary as soon as possible.

Award-winning wedding planner Nicole-Natassha Goulding says that searching for the perfect venue is one of the most time-consuming tasks when planning a wedding. She also says that couples should make sure they get their first choice of wedding date, so it's important to search early before the calendar is blocked off by other couples.

Goulding also recommends that couples wait at least 30 days after getting engaged before diving into wedding details. During this time, couples should discuss their general vision for their wedding and their priorities. It's also important to set a firm budget, as this will determine all the decisions you make.

Once you have a clear idea of your budget, you can start to think about dates. Consider whether you want a summer or winter wedding, and whether there are any significant dates that you want to avoid, such as birthdays or anniversaries. You should also think about the availability of your chosen venue, as this may impact your chosen date.

Send out save the dates

Planning a wedding can take at least a year, but if you're short on time, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, make sure you have a clear budget and a wedding date in mind. Then, you can start thinking about sending out save the dates.

Save the dates are an optional step, but they can be a fun and creative way to let your guests know about your wedding date and location. As a general rule, it's best to send them out about six to eight months before the wedding. However, if you're planning a destination wedding or have many out-of-town guests, you may want to send them out earlier, around nine to twelve months in advance. This will give your guests plenty of time to make travel arrangements and accommodations.

When designing your save the dates, you can get creative and reflect your style as a couple. Include the date and location of your wedding, and any other details you'd like to share. You can also use this opportunity to announce your wedding theme or colour scheme.

It's important to note that save the dates are just a preliminary announcement, and you will still need to send out official wedding invitations closer to the date. These invitations will include more specific details such as time, venue, and any suggested attire.

Plan the decor

Planning the decor for your wedding is a great way to express your personality as a couple. It's also a chance to highlight the charm of your venue, whether that's a beach, a lakefront, a barn, or somewhere with built-in accent walls, landscaped gardens, fountains, stained glass windows, lighting fixtures, or ceiling beams.

Before you start, it's a good idea to do a dry run of your venue set-up. If you're doing this yourself, try to set up a sample table with centrepieces, runners, and place settings. Take photos of how you want it to look, and put the decor items in clear plastic boxes, with a different box for each table or decor element, and the photo of how you want it to look on the front.

If you're having your ceremony outside, followed by a cocktail hour in a pavilion, and then a reception in a barn, for example, keep your decor for each part of the day in separate piles. This will help you to stay organised and save time when you're setting up.

On the day, welcome guests with signs giving instructions about seating arrangements and phone usage. Accents like flowers, tulle or ribbon bows, and an aisle runner create a pretty backdrop for your procession. Accessories for your flower girls, ring bearers, and pets will ensure that everyone is ready to celebrate.

Add some personalised elements, like striped or patterned paper straws for your signature drink, custom cocktail napkins, and glasses or matchbooks that guests can take home.

Choose a venue

Choosing a venue is one of the most time-consuming and laborious tasks when planning a wedding. It involves venue visits, pricing out menus and discussing options.

To secure your first choice of wedding date, it is important to start searching for a venue early. Wedding planning expert Nicole-Natassha Goulding says that couples should make sure they get their first choice of wedding date, so it’s important to search early before the calendar is blocked off by other couples.

When choosing a venue, you should consider your budget and how many guests you plan to invite. This will help you narrow down your options and find a venue that is the right size and price for your wedding.

You should also consider the location of the venue and how easy it will be for your guests to get there. If you are planning a destination wedding, you may want to choose a venue that is close to accommodation options for your guests.

Finally, don't forget to read reviews of the venue and ask for recommendations from other couples. This will help you make sure that you are choosing a reputable venue that will be able to accommodate your needs.

Frequently asked questions