Planning A Wedding Quickly: A Stress-Free Guide

Planning a wedding in a short space of time is totally possible, but it does mean you'll have to act quickly, keep things simple and small, and don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll need to decide if you want to elope or host an actual wedding with guests, and be prepared to skip certain wedding traditions. You'll also need to keep your guest list small and be aware that certain loved ones might not be able to attend. It's a good idea to learn about your state's marriage laws and have your ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse, followed by a casual reception nearby. With a short timeline, it can be easy to overspend, so you and your partner will need to decide on a budget.

Decide on the type of wedding you want

Planning a wedding in a short space of time can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. The first step is to decide on the type of wedding you want. Do you want to elope, or do you want to host an actual wedding with guests? If you're happy to go down the non-traditional route and skip certain wedding traditions, a short timeline is definitely doable.

If you decide to have a wedding with guests, you'll need to keep your guest list small and intimate. It's likely that certain loved ones won't be able to attend, so you'll need to be prepared for that. Focus on your VIPs, like your parents and best friends, and find out if they're available on your desired date.

To save time and stress, your best bet is to have your ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse, followed by a casual reception nearby. However, the requirements for this will depend on the state where you're marrying, so be sure to do your research.

With a short engagement, it's easy to overspend, so it's important to set a budget and stick to it. You and your partner will need to decide how much you can spend, and only set aside money that you have.

Research marriage laws in your state

Planning a wedding in a short time is totally possible, but it does mean you won't be able to enjoy certain wedding traditions, like having a wedding party or setting up a registry. You'll also need to keep your guest list small and be prepared for some loved ones to be unable to attend.

Before officially setting a date for your wedding, you'll want to research your state's marriage laws. The best way to plan a wedding on a super-short timeline is to have your ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse, followed by a casual reception nearby. But to do this, you'll need to know if you can just walk into city hall and get married the same day, if there's a waiting period, or if you'll have to reserve a space at the government building in advance. Doing this research as one of your first steps will save you stress and surprises later on.

You can find out this information by contacting your local city hall or courthouse. They will be able to tell you about any specific requirements or restrictions for getting married in your state. For example, some states have a waiting period between when you apply for a marriage license and when you can actually get married. Other states may require you to have blood tests or other medical exams before you can get married. It's important to be aware of these requirements ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly.

In addition to learning about the specific marriage laws in your state, you should also familiarise yourself with the general marriage laws in the US. For example, you must be at least 18 years old to get married in the US, and you must not be married to anyone else. These are important things to keep in mind as you plan your wedding.

Keep the guest list small

If you're planning a wedding in a short time, it's important to keep the guest list small. This will make it easier to organise the event in a short space of time, and will also help to keep costs down.

First, decide whether you want to elope or host an actual wedding with guests. If you choose the latter, you'll need to reach out to your closest loved ones – immediate family and best friends – to find out if they're available on your desired date. It's likely that certain people won't be able to attend at such short notice, so be prepared for that. As long as your VIPs can make it, you're good to go.

If you're paying for the wedding yourself, you'll need to decide how much you can spend. With a short timeline, you'll be paying for most things upfront and within a short period, so only set aside money that you have.

To save time and stress, consider having the ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse, followed by a casual reception nearby. However, you'll need to research whether you can just walk in and get married on the same day, or if there's a waiting period or reservation required. This varies depending on the state where you're marrying.

Be mindful of your budget

Planning a wedding in a short time can be stressful, but it's definitely possible. One of the first things to consider is your budget. If you're paying for the wedding yourself, you and your partner need to decide how much you can afford to spend. With a short timeline, you'll likely be paying for most things upfront, so only set aside money that you have.

To keep costs down, you might want to consider eloping or having a small wedding with only your closest loved ones. This will save you money on things like the venue, food and drink, and decorations. You also won't have time for certain wedding traditions, like having a wedding party, a bridal shower, or a bachelor/bachelorette party.

Another way to save money is to have a simple ceremony at your local city hall or courthouse, followed by a casual reception nearby. However, the requirements for this vary depending on the state, so be sure to do your research. You may need to reserve a space in advance or there may be a waiting period.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help. A short engagement can be romantic and fun, and it will be much easier on your budget. You won't have time to stress out, so you can just enjoy the process!

Ask for help

Planning a wedding in a short time is possible, but it can be stressful. Asking for help is a great way to reduce the burden on yourself and your partner.

First, you should ask your immediate family and best friends if they are available on your desired date. You should also ask them if they are willing to help with the planning process. This could include asking them to take on specific tasks, such as researching venues or contacting suppliers.

You should also consider asking for help from professionals. Wedding planners are experts in planning weddings in a short time and can take a lot of the stress off your hands. If you are on a tight budget, you could consider asking a friend or family member with experience in event planning to help you.

Another way to ask for help is to reach out to your community. If you are part of a religious community, you could ask the leader of your congregation for advice and support. They may be able to offer you a venue or other resources. If you are not religious, you could consider asking a local community leader or organisation for help.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help from your suppliers. Many suppliers will be experienced in working with short timelines and may be able to offer you a discounted rate for a last-minute booking. Be honest with them about your timeline and budget, and ask if they can offer you any flexibility or special deals.

Frequently asked questions