Planning A Wedding In 7 Months: Possible Or Not?

Planning a wedding in 7 months or less is possible, but it will require organisation and flexibility. While the average length of an engagement in the US is 16 months, 45% of couples spend less than a year planning their wedding. This may be due to work schedules, military deployments, family obligations, or targeting a particular time of year. A short timeline may be right for you if your goal is to be married as soon as possible and you are not too picky about every detail. To plan a wedding in 7 months, you will need to tackle a new task almost every day, from setting a date and creating a budget to booking a venue and selecting vendors.

It can be done, but it's a race against time

First things first, set a budget. Knowing how much you have to spend will help you make decisions and plan accordingly. Next, decide on a theme. Do you want a rustic, romantic setting or a breezy beach vibe? With that in mind, you can start thinking about venues. While popular venues may be booked up, there are plenty of alternative options to choose from, such as restaurants, art galleries, or even your parents' backyard. Consider alternative dates too—a Friday or Sunday wedding might get you your dream venue.

Now it's time to tackle the guest list. This will impact your budget, as each guest adds to the total spend, so be mindful of that. With your guest list in hand, you can send out save-the-dates, either via paper or an online service like Paperless Post. It's also a good idea to book your wedding venue and vendors as soon as possible, as they tend to get snapped up quickly. Be prepared to be flexible with your first choices, as some vendors may not be available on short notice.

Don't forget to confirm the details with your chosen vendors, such as photographers, caterers, and entertainment. Finalise the menu, taking into account any dietary requirements, and stock the reception bar if you're serving alcohol. If you're planning on having a wedding cake, order it now, as some bakers may require more notice for extravagant cakes.

With just seven months to go, it's crucial to stay on top of the smaller details. Break in your wedding shoes to avoid sore feet on the big day. Book hair and makeup artists, and schedule a trial run to ensure you're happy with the look. If you're writing your own vows, start drafting them, and don't forget to confirm any beauty appointments and transportation for the day.

It's a race to the finish line, but with a clear plan and a focused approach, you can absolutely plan your dream wedding in seven months.

You might not get your first choice of venue or vendors

While it is possible to plan a wedding in 7 months, you may need to be flexible with your choices. The first thing to do is to decide on a budget, as this will determine what you can afford. If you have a specific venue in mind, it is likely that it will already be booked up, especially if it is a popular choice. You may need to consider alternative dates, such as a Friday or Sunday, to secure your dream venue. It is also worth looking into non-traditional spaces, like a restaurant, an art gallery, or even a backyard.

Similarly, your first-choice vendors may not be available on your chosen date. This includes caterers, photographers, and entertainment. It is important to be open-minded and have a few backup options. You might also want to consider hiring a wedding planner or coordinator, who can help recommend vendors and keep you on track.

The wedding dress is another important consideration. Custom-made dresses usually need to be ordered at least six months in advance, but they can be purchased in a shorter timeframe for an additional rush fee. For a more affordable option, consider ready-to-wear bridal shops, sample sales, or rental sites.

Finally, if you are planning to have a large number of out-of-town guests, you will want to secure room blocks at area hotels. These can often be reserved at a discounted rate. It is also a good idea to book transportation to and from the wedding venue for your wedding party and immediate family, and perhaps even a shuttle service for your guests.

You may have to be flexible with your dress

It is possible to plan a wedding in seven months or less. However, it will require organisation and flexibility.

One of the most time-consuming aspects of a wedding is the dress. Custom-made wedding dresses usually need to be ordered six or more months in advance, but they can be purchased in a shorter timeframe, although you will likely have to pay a rush fee. If you are flexible with your dress, you can opt for a ready-to-wear bridal shop, salon sample sale, non-bridal ready-to-wear designer, or a rental site. You can also take your own fabric to a dressmaker, but this will still require time. If you are set on a custom-made dress, you will need to order it as soon as possible and schedule fittings closer to your wedding date.

If you have bridesmaids, you will also need to consider their dresses. These 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 in a specified colour palette.

The same goes for suits or tuxedos for the groomsmen. You can place a rental order quickly, or ask them to wear their own suits in a certain colour.

You'll need to be organised and make quick decisions

Planning a wedding in seven months is definitely possible, but it will require organisation and quick decision-making. The first step is to decide on a budget and a theme. This will help you to choose a venue, which is often the first thing booked by couples. When choosing a venue, consider whether you want a separate ceremony and reception venue, or if you want both events in the same place. Be prepared to be flexible with your date, as some venues may be booked already.

Once you have a venue, you can start to think about other suppliers. Wedding dresses, for example, can take over six months to arrive, so this should be a priority. You may also want to consider ready-to-wear options, sample sales, or rental sites to speed up the process. The same goes for bridesmaids' dresses—you could ask your bridesmaids to pick their own dresses in a specified colour palette. For suits or tuxedos, you could go for a ready-to-wear option or ask groomsmen to wear their own suits in a certain colour.

Next, you'll want to think about the other major suppliers, like caterers, photographers, and entertainment. It's a good idea to allocate extra funds to the suppliers that are most important to you. You may not get your first choice of vendor, but there are plenty of options available, and you can always ask a friend or family member to get certified online to officiate the ceremony.

With a shorter timeline, it's also important to confirm the details with your guests as soon as possible. You may not have time for Save the Dates, so make sure to let your closest friends and family know the date so they can keep it free. You can also use an online service to send paperless Save the Dates. If you have a lot of guests coming from out of town, it's a good idea to book room blocks at area hotels to ensure everyone has a place to stay.

It might be worth hiring a wedding planner

Planning a wedding in seven months is certainly possible, but it will require a lot of organisation and flexibility. With a shorter timeline, you may not be able to be as picky about certain aspects of your wedding, such as the date, venue, and vendors.

• Creating a budget and determining who will contribute and how much.
• Selecting a theme and style for your wedding.
• Choosing and booking a venue, which can be challenging to find on short notice.
• Sending out save-the-dates and invitations, which may need to be done electronically to save time.
• Finalising the guest list and keeping track of RSVPs.
• Selecting and ordering attire for the wedding party, including the wedding dress, which can take six months or more to arrive.
• Booking vendors, including caterers, photographers, and entertainment, being prepared to be flexible and make quick decisions.
• Confirming transportation and accommodation for guests, especially if many are travelling.
• Finalising the order of the ceremony and creating programs.
• Obtaining a marriage license and any other necessary documents.

A wedding planner can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the planning process, ensuring that you don't feel overwhelmed and helping to bring your vision to life, even with a shorter timeline.

Frequently asked questions