Your Guide to Planning a Wedding in 6 Months or Less
Alexia Marie Photography
Wedding planning doesn’t always have to take 12 or more months. Although having ample time to plan & prepare can ease stress and offer more options for vendors, that’s not to say you can’t plan your wedding in six months - or less! While it may be stress-inducing just reading that, you might be surprised with just how easy it can be to plan a wedding in six months or less.
Six Months Out
The Budget
At the six month mark, you’ll want to figure out your budget - which includes who will be contributing to your wedding (and how much) - and to make a priority list of must-haves (i.e. a particular photographer or band).
The Venue
You’ll also want to choose your venue. While most venues book out a year or more in advance, there are plenty of venues that allow six months of lead time (like Mill Pond Estate!). If you have your heart set on a venue, consider an alternate day - such as a Friday or Sunday - to make it work.
The Vendors
Although most vendors also get booked out pretty far in advance, there are plenty of vendors that will be available. However, since you won’t have a lot of time for back and forth, you’ll want to secure your vendors ASAP - meaning you should have an idea of who you want to work with before you get started.
The Dress
A custom-made wedding dress will need to be ordered at least six months in advance but can still be ordered with a rush fee. You can always consider a ready-to-wear dress (alterations won’t take as long!) or browse sample sales to find your dress.
The Hotel
Another factor to consider at six months is blocking hotel rooms for guests - especially if you’re having a lot of out-of-town guests. Hotels book up quickly and the last thing you want is to be stuck calling multiple hotels to find the space!
The Engagement Photoshoot
Schedule your engagement photoshoot (if you haven’t already) so you can use those photos for your wedding website or save the dates!
Five Months Out
The Guest List
You probably have an idea of who you want to invite to your wedding, but this is when you want to solidify your guest list. Make sure to keep in mind your venue and budget as well as anyone your parents might want to invite.
A Wedding Coordinator or Planner
If it’s starting to feel overwhelming, consider hiring a wedding coordinator - whether that’s just a month-of coordinator or a wedding planner. They’ll help you keep everything organized, consult with vendors, and help you with your to-do list.
The Wedding Party
You’ll want to figure out your wedding party at this point, too, since they’ll also have to get their dresses and tuxedos/suits. The last thing you want is to stress them out, too!
The Save the Dates & Wedding Website
Once you confirm your venue, send out your save-the-dates. At this point, you can consider digital save-the-dates (which also help the environment!) or use companies like Minted for semi-custom printed designs. And, be sure your wedding website is up and running so guests can plan accordingly in terms of location, dress code, and registry information.
4 Months Out
The Other Vendors
Now is the time to secure the rest of your vendors such as your hair & makeup, rental companies, and transportation.
The Wedding Bands
Since most wedding bands are made-to-order & take around 45 days to be made and delivered, this is the latest you’ll want to shop for them.
3 Months
The Menu & Cake Tasting
Around the three month mark is when you want to do your menu and cake tasting.
The Honeymoon
If you’re planning on honeymooning right after your wedding, you’ll want to start planning it now. However, some couples choose to take their honeymoon months later, depending on their schedules or budgets.
The Invites
Now is when you’ll want to send out your official invitations. For a local wedding, eight weeks is a perfect amount of time whereas a destination wedding should be around 12 weeks before your wedding.
2 Months
The Parties
Two months before your big day is the time to plan your bridal shower and bachelor/bachelorette parties. While the brunt of that work typically falls on your wedding party, you’ll want to make sure everything is scheduled.
The Marriage License
It’s a little piece of paper but it’s a big deal - this is one step you don’t want to forget!
The Hair & Makeup Trial
This is an imperative step as well - you don’t want to be surprised on your wedding day!
One Month Out
Confirm the Details
This is when you’ll want to make sure everything is confirmed time-wise. Create a wedding day timeline to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The Seating Chart
Now that all your RSVP’s are (hopefully) in, you can finalize the seating chart & have your escort cards created.
Pack for Your Honeymoon
If your honeymoon is right after the wedding, you’ll thank yourself if you pack ahead of time! With all the hustle and bustle of the wedding, the last thing you want is to worry about packing for your honeymoon.
Enjoy!
With less than a month to your big day, it’s time to enjoy your hard work! You planned a wedding in six months - be proud of yourself! Plus, it’s your last chance to call yourself a fiancé(e), so make sure to savor it.
Would you plan a wedding is six months or less? Let us know in the comments!