Planning A Wedding In 8 Months: Possible Or Not?

Planning a wedding in eight months is possible, but it requires organisation and flexibility. Many couples spend around a year planning their weddings, but a shorter timeframe is entirely doable and doesn't require sacrificing your dream celebration. The key to planning a wedding in eight months is to book the big things first, such as the venue, photographer, caterer, florist, and entertainment. It's also important to start dress shopping early, especially if you're planning to have a custom gown made. With a clear vision, efficient planning, and the ability to adapt, you can plan your dream wedding in eight months without feeling rushed.

Book the venue and vendors early

Booking your wedding venue and vendors early is crucial to ensuring that you have your pick of options and ample time to plan the rest of your wedding. Here are some tips to help you secure your venue and vendors:

Book the Venue Early

Booking your wedding venue as soon as possible is essential, as venues tend to fill up quickly and you haven't "officially set a date" until you have your venue booked. Start by deciding whether you want separate ceremony and reception venues or an all-in-one location. If you have a favourite venue in mind, call them as soon as possible to check availability, as some venues can be booked up a year or more in advance. Be prepared to be flexible with your desired date to increase your chances of securing your dream venue.

Prioritize Vendors that Require a Specific Person

Certain vendors, such as photographers, videographers, DJs, officiants, and hair and makeup artists, fall into this category. These professionals are often in high demand and can only serve one client per day, so they tend to get booked up quickly. Start researching and making calls to these vendors early on to ensure you have plenty of options to choose from.

Book Essential Vendors Next

Once you have your venue and date secured, it's time to focus on booking other essential vendors. These include caterers, florists, musicians or bands, cake vendors, and stationers (for invitations and save-the-dates). If your venue doesn't provide catering, prioritize finding a caterer, as the best ones tend to get booked up quickly, and you want to ensure they can accommodate your chosen date.

Consider a Wedding Planner

Hiring a wedding planner can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you're short on time. Wedding planners have extensive knowledge about venues and vendors in your area and can help you secure the best options for your dream wedding. They can also take care of many logistical details, saving you time and stress. If you decide to hire a planner, do so early on, ideally around the same time as booking your venue.

Stay Organized and Flexible

Throughout the process, stay organized by using checklists, spreadsheets, and budget trackers. Be prepared to be flexible, as some vendors may not be available on your desired date. The more organized and adaptable you are, the smoother the planning process will be.

By following these tips and staying proactive, you can successfully book your venue and vendors early on, setting yourself up for a smooth and enjoyable wedding planning journey.

Create a checklist and budget tracker

While planning a wedding in eight months can be challenging, it is certainly possible. The key is to stay organised and on top of your tasks. A comprehensive checklist and budget tracker will be your best friends during this time.

First, you must determine your wedding budget. This will involve figuring out who is paying for what and deciding on a bottom line. From there, you can break down the budget, allocating funds to different aspects of the wedding, such as the venue, catering, attire, and so on.

For your checklist, you can find many free templates online, which you can customise to your needs. These checklists often come with timelines, helping you to stay on track and ensure you don't forget any important tasks. You can also create your own checklist from scratch, considering all the elements you want to include in your wedding.

Eight Months Out:

• Confirm the venue and book it as soon as possible.
• Start researching and reaching out to other major vendors, such as caterers, photographers, florists, musicians, and videographers.
• Begin working on your "Save the Dates".
• Select and order your wedding attire, especially if you plan to have a made-to-measure dress or suit, as these can take months to create and ship.

Seven Months Out:

• Finalise your major vendors and book them to ensure you get your preferred creatives.
• Send out your "Save the Dates".
• Start working on the finer details, such as design and overall feel, so you can book vendors for design rentals like tableware, linens, and lighting.

Six Months Out:

• Refine and finalise design choices, such as plates, chairs, stationery, and transportation.
• Book any remaining vendors, ensuring you don't leave it too late as the good ones book up quickly.

Five Months Out:

• Be on the same page with your partner about the honeymoon budget, timing, travel arrangements, and a basic itinerary.
• Send out your invitations, but be mindful of not sending them too early.

Four Months Out:

• Finalise your floral designs, tablescape, ceremony set-up, menu, and cake.
• Purchase wedding favours or welcome bags if they fit your budget.

Three Months Out:

• Confirm your guest list and create place cards, escort cards, seating charts, and guest lists for any pre- or post-wedding events.
• Finalise any DIY projects and finish your registry.

Two Months Out:

• Ensure your wedding attire is finalised and fits well.
• Finalise your bridal party gifts and any remaining details.

One Month Out:

• Confirm big-impact items, such as flowers, playlists, and menus.
• Attend final attire fittings and make any necessary deposits.

Final Weeks:

• Enjoy the lead-up to your wedding and try to de-stress.
• Ensure all vendors are aware of the timeline and their responsibilities.

For your budget tracker, you can use a simple spreadsheet or download a template to help you stay on top of your expenses. Be sure to include columns for the expected and actual costs, so you can keep a running total of expenses and ensure you don't exceed your budget.

With a detailed checklist and budget tracker, you'll be well on your way to a stress-free wedding planning journey!

Delegate tasks to friends and family

It is possible to plan a wedding in eight months, but it requires organisation and the ability to delegate tasks. Here are some suggestions for tasks that can be delegated to friends and family:

Researching and Selecting Vendors

Asking for recommendations from friends or family members can save time when it comes to researching and selecting vendors. If your loved ones have a special interest in an area, such as hair and makeup, flowers, photography, or food and drink, they can provide guidance and suggestions based on your taste, style, and budget.

Administrative Tasks

Friends and family can help with administrative tasks such as tracking RSVPs manually or via a shared spreadsheet, alphabetising place cards, wrapping favours, and delivering guest baskets and itineraries to hotels.

Transport

If a friend or family member owns a car you love, you can ask them to drive you to the ceremony. This is a great way to spend quality time with someone special.

Photography

After the ceremony, your photographer will want to capture family photos. Ask a friend who is familiar with your family members to help round up the people required for these photos. This will make the experience seamless.

Music

If you are hiring a DJ, they can create playlists for the wedding morning, drinks reception, or dinner music. Alternatively, a friend can curate a playlist for your DJ using song suggestions from guests via RSVPs or your wedding website.

Flowers and Decor

If you are repurposing flowers, decor, and signage between your ceremony and reception, outline this in your wedding timeline and hand this task over to a trusted friend or family member.

Payments

Prepare any cash payments in individual envelopes with the supplier name and amount, and delegate this to a trusted loved one to hand over accordingly.

Avoid decision fatigue

Wedding planning can be a stressful process, and it's no wonder that people experience decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is a term that describes the mental exhaustion that occurs after making a large number of decisions repeatedly, which can lead to poor decision-making and increased stress levels.

Break Down Tasks and Prioritize

Break down the planning process into smaller, more manageable steps. Prioritize decisions based on their importance and the timeline. Create a checklist and stay organized to keep track of your planning progress.

Delegate Tasks

Don't try to do it all yourself. Share duties with your partner, family, and friends. Divide key decisions and smaller details between you and your partner, ensuring a fair distribution of tasks. Consider hiring a wedding planner to help with the planning process and reduce potential options.

Take Breaks

Your brain craves breaks after periods of overstimulation. Take time off from planning to recharge and give yourself a much-needed rest. Go on a date night, practice self-care, or talk to a professional about your wedding-related stress.

Set a Realistic Budget

Discuss your finances, expectations, and priorities with your partner. Set a budget that guides your decisions and helps you stay within your financial means. This will enable you to make informed choices and ensure a fiscally responsible wedding.

Focus on What Matters

Prioritize the choices that are truly important to you, like the food you'll serve, and don't get too caught up in the small details. Remind yourself that, on your big day, your emotions and the moments you create will take precedence over the little things.

Remember, wedding planning should be a fun and enjoyable experience. By following these strategies, you can avoid decision fatigue and make the best choices for your special day.

Self-care and staying organised

Planning a wedding in eight months is entirely doable, but it requires organisation and dedication. It is essential to prioritise self-care and stress management throughout the process. Here are some tips to help you stay organised and take care of yourself during the planning journey:

Self-care Tips:

• Prioritise sleep, hydration and nutrition: Planning a wedding can be exciting and daunting, so it is crucial to take care of your basic needs. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat nourishing meals.
• Take breaks and recharge: Remember to take breaks and schedule time for yourself and your partner. Go on date nights, practise self-care rituals, and find ways to relax and recharge.
• Delegate tasks: Don't hesitate to delegate tasks to trusted friends, family members, or a wedding planner. This will help alleviate stress and allow you to focus on other aspects of the planning.
• Connect and celebrate: Amid the hustle and bustle, take time to connect with your partner and celebrate milestones. Embrace the emotions and savour the special moments leading up to the wedding.

Staying Organised:

• Set deadlines and priorities: Create a structured timeline with specific deadlines. Prioritise tasks based on their importance and urgency to ensure you stay on track.
• Create lists and spreadsheets: Utilise lists and spreadsheets to keep track of options, quotes, and appointments. This will help you maintain a clear overview of your progress and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
• Start with the venue and major vendors: Book your venue as soon as possible, as they tend to fill up quickly. Once you have your venue, focus on confirming other major vendors, such as caterers, photographers, florists, and musicians.
• Finalise the design and details: Refine and finalise design choices, such as tableware, linens, stationery, and transportation. Choose your accessories, organise DIY projects, and confirm your honeymoon plans and registry.
• Stay on top of invitations and save-the-dates: Send out save-the-dates and invitations according to the timeline. Order enough invitations to account for mistakes, confirm addresses and spelling, and set up a system to record RSVP replies.
• Manage your budget: Determine your total budget and allocate it across categories like venue, catering, attire, photography, and entertainment. Don't forget to set aside a portion for unexpected costs.
• Focus on the final details: In the last two months, it's all about finalising timelines and fine-tuning the details. This includes floral designs, tablescapes, ceremony setup, menus, and cakes.

Frequently asked questions