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Quick Thinking // Planning a Wedding on Short Notice
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
So, the question has been popped and you’ve said ‘yes’! But for personal reasons, whether it be work constraints or a job transfer, military deployment or a pending long-distance move, the wedding has to happen sooner than later. You simply can’t afford the luxury of the typical nine months to a year+ engagement period, and only have a few months to plan your big day.
Well, never fear! No doubt about it, it would be very difficult if you wanted a large, glamorous affair at a very popular wedding venue. However, if you’re ready and willing to compromise a little and can have perhaps a slightly smaller, more scaled-down wedding, it is very possible to have a beautiful, well-organized wedding event planned on short notice.
Here are the major steps and tips you’ll need to design and execute your wedding, all of which can be accomplished in three months or less:
Even with the time constraint, you need an overall vision and wedding theme first. This will set the tone for the entire wedding and give you a great starting point in which to tackle the rest of your wedding planning tasks. Think about and write down the wedding you’ve always envisioned, but be ready to scale it down. And strongly consider hiring a wedding planner to help you accomplish the wedding of your dreams. There’s a lot to do before any wedding, and a wedding on short notice can be exponentially more difficult to plan.
After you’ve realized your vision and wedding goals, get yourself organized. Set up a method to collect your information in a clear, catalogued folder (a computer file or web-based application or even an old-school binder) and establish your to-do list.
To-do number 1: Pick the date! Once you have your date chosen, set your budget, make your guest list and start booking vendors. This is a great time to begin creating your wedding website and registry, too.
Start the booking process by securing your venue. If your top choice isn't available, find out if they can suggest alternatives and get referrals. If all of your top choices become dead ends, think about renting a favorite restaurant or even having an at-home wedding (in which case, you may need to shrink your guest list). Consider holding your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, as Saturday weddings are the most popular and book up very quickly, often a year or more in advance. Also, look at the possibility of holding the wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue to simplify the booking process.
The other main vendors to book ASAP include:
photographer
videographer
floral and décor designer
hair and makeup artists
officiant
entertainment (band or DJ services)
bakery/wedding cake
Once booked, your vendors will supply an individual timetable or checklist and let you know what more they’ll need from you and when they’ll need it. You can add these schedules to your overall to-do list.
Other vendor considerations:
Visit local florists to see if they may be able make simple arrangements using in-season flowers.
Consider booking a reception venue with all-inclusive packages, where staff onsite can handle catering (including appetizers, dinner and the cake), bar service, décor, linens, chairs, set-up and break-down.
And since in most cases wedding cakes need to be ordered six to nine months in advance, think about buying a standard cake from a local bakery and purchasing a special cake topper to dress it up.
Send out invitations and post your wedding website. If your event is three months away, you still have time to mail paper invitations if you'd like, as the suggested mailing date is six to eight weeks before the wedding day. If your wedding date is even sooner, be prepared for more regrets than you would have if you had more time before the wedding date.
Even though it will be too late for custom invitations from a stationer, you can still find fantastic pre-printed or semi-custom wedding invitations in store or online. Check out these invitations we found at Staples! You can choose from hundreds of designs to match your theme and colors, then pick them up or have them delivered in five to eight business days.
Secure the wedding attire. You would need five to eight months to order a wedding gown, however you can find a beautiful designer gown at a trunk show or at a sample sale in your area. Search online for dates and locations near you. Gorgeous gowns can also be found off-the-rack, especially at larger retail outlets, and you’ll be able to take your dress home with you at the time of purchase. Or try shopping for your gown at a consignment store. Just remember to purchase your gown as soon as possible because you’ll still need to schedule time for alterations.
If the groom is having a suit tailor-made, he’ll need to shop right away too, as this process usually takes two to three months. Shopping for the rest of the bridal party is fairly easy… bridesmaids can find lovely dresses at a department store and groomsmen should have little problem renting suits from formal wear shops even at the last minute. And don’t forget to buy your shoes and accessories!
Get that marriage license. Check out your state’s government website to find out if you’ll need to visit your local courthouse, registrar’s office, municipal office, county clerk or marriage license bureau. In most cases, it’s best to obtain your license at least two weeks before your wedding date. But be sure to check your state’s requirements first, as each state has its own rules on waiting periods after applying and how long the license will be valid before the ceremony occurs and the license is signed and filed for a marriage certificate.
Shop for the rings. If it’s too late to have the rings you want for the ceremony, order them when you shop and simply use substitute rings on the wedding day. It’s easy to find inexpensive silver or gold bands!
Enlist the help of family and friends. Divvy up tasks among them, especially the job of contacting vendors for their availability and creating those fabulous DIY programs, place cards and favors. And as hard as it might be, allow yourself to let go of the reins a little and let them make some decisions on their own if you want everything to get done in time.
And finally, have a ball! Take time for many breathers during all your planning and purchasing and enjoy this exciting moment. Be sure to schedule date nights for you and your soon-to-be, where you don't discuss the wedding, except perhaps the successes you've had during your planning process. Relax and have fun!
