Planning A Wedding: A Quick Guide To Tying The Knot

Planning a wedding in less than a year is not only possible, but it's also a great idea. While the average length of an engagement in the U.S. is 16 months, 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their big day. There are a variety of reasons why couples may want to marry sooner, from work schedules to military deployments, family obligations to targeting a particular time of year.

Get started early

Planning a wedding in less than a year is totally possible and usually the norm. The average length of an engagement in the U.S. is 16 months, but 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their big day. There are a variety of reasons why couples may want to marry sooner, from work schedules to military deployments, family obligations to targeting a particular time of year.

The first thing to remember is that you don’t have all the time in the world, and it’s better to get started early. Get as much done as early as possible so you have some wiggle room if you need it. If you only have six months before the big day, go into it knowing that some of your vendors might already be booked. Don’t spend too much time lamenting about this; just move on. There are lots of excellent and professional wedding vendors who can help bring your vision to life.

If you're set on a particular wedding day and have six months to plan, staying organized and on track is key. You can also get advice from your wedding venue on what vendors to use. Many have a preferred vendor list full of vetted, experienced companies that they’ve worked with many times before. The shorter your engagement, the more imperative it is that you stick to a planning checklist.

Be flexible

Planning a wedding in less than a year is totally possible, and it's usually the norm. You just have to get started a little sooner and be flexible with your choices.

Being flexible is key to planning a wedding in less than a year. This means being open to different options and not getting too attached to any one idea. It's important to remember that some of your preferred vendors might already be booked, so it's a good idea to get advice from your wedding venue on what vendors to use. Many venues have a preferred vendor list full of vetted, experienced companies that they've worked with many times before.

If you're set on a particular wedding day, it's important to be flexible with your planning process. This might mean making decisions quickly and not spending too much time lamenting over choices. It's also important to stay organized and on track, as there is a lot of wedding planning to do in a short period of time.

Being flexible also means being open to help from friends and family. Don't be afraid to delegate tasks or ask for assistance when needed. Planning a wedding in less than a year can be a challenge, but with flexibility and a positive attitude, it can be done!

Stay organised

Planning a wedding in less than a year is totally doable and usually the norm. The average length of an engagement in the U.S. is 16 months, but 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their big day. To stay organised, get started as soon as possible. The shorter your engagement, the more imperative it is that you stick to a planning checklist. Get as much done as early as possible so you have some wiggle room if you need it. If you only have six months before the big day, go into it knowing that some of your vendors might already be booked. Don't spend too much time lamenting about this; just move on. There are lots of excellent and professional wedding vendors who can help bring your vision to life. Get advice from your wedding venue on what vendors to use. Many have a preferred vendor list full of vetted, experienced companies that they've worked with many times before.

Stick to a planning checklist

Planning a wedding in less than a year is totally doable and usually the norm. The average length of an engagement in the U.S. is 16 months, but 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their big day.

The first thing to remember is that you don’t have all the time in the world, and it’s better to get started earlier. Get as much done as early as possible so you have some wiggle room if you need it. If you only have six months before the big day, go into it knowing that some of your vendors might already be booked. Don’t spend too much time lamenting about this; just move on. There are lots of excellent and professional wedding vendors who can help bring your vision to life.

The shorter your engagement, the more imperative it is that you stick to a planning checklist. You can get advice from your wedding venue on what vendors to use. Many have a preferred vendor list full of vetted, experienced companies that they’ve worked with many times before.

Remember, there really is no “perfect” amount of time. Some couples might want to speed things up because they just can’t wait to be husband and wife.

Ask your wedding venue for advice

Planning a wedding in less than a year is totally possible and, in fact, quite common. Many couples walk down the aisle anywhere from 12 to 18 months after getting engaged, and 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their big day.

Ask the venue for advice on the layout of the room and how to make the most of the space. They will be able to tell you what has worked well for other couples and what hasn't. For example, they might suggest having a cocktail hour in one area of the room while the staff flips the ceremony space for dinner.

If you're having a sit-down meal, ask the venue for advice on the best way to organise the seating plan. They will be able to tell you how many people can fit comfortably at each table and the best way to arrange the tables in the room. They might also have some creative ideas for alternative seating plans, such as a long, banquet-style table or a mix of high-top and low-top tables.

Finally, ask the venue for any last-minute advice or tips they have. They might have some suggestions for making the day run more smoothly or ways to personalise your wedding. They could also recommend some local suppliers or services that you might not have thought of, such as a late-night food truck or a photo booth.

Frequently asked questions