Congratulations to all those who are newly engaged!
But now…you should consider what comes AFTER your wedding engagement. Most wedding sites and timelines will advise you that you need 12-18 months to properly plan your wedding, which may seem like a long time (but it will actually fly by!).
The reason experts recommend so much time is largely due to the challenges of selecting & securing a venue for the ceremony and reception and the time it takes to select and acquire a dress. If your timeline is shorter (you’re eager to get married or have your heart set on a spring or summer 2015 wedding), though, I’m confident that you can pull it off. Realize that a shortened timeframe may require more flexibility, so you will need to weigh your priorities versus your needs.
Over the past couple of years, I have planned a wedding and executed within 3 months from engagement (and one was a ridiculously short 2 weeks). So it can be done…but best results will come when you work with a wedding planner who can shortcut your process.
As a starting point, list what you want and decide how flexible you can be with your list. For example if you want a wedding on the first Saturday in June, be open if the wedding site you want only has availability in the morning or the Friday before or the Sunday after.
Next, consider contingencies if your preferred venue is just unavailable. If you look elsewhere, there may be a site that can accommodate your wedding and reception. Wedding venues always want to be fully booked, so check around. Occasionally couples cancel, so have venues add your name to a wait list.
The same rules apply to your dress: search for the one you want and be flexible. Designers and stores really want to sell their dresses. Verify that your choice is available, and ask what the turnaround time will be. Even with a short lead time, these places can work magic! Other details can be organized over time. Have a plan and ask relevant people to help you.
I regularly ask couples what they REALLY want, which is the most important thing! For your wedding, family and friends will be coming to celebrate the beginning of your journey together, so you can dream big and live your dream.
Additional Resources
Here are some follow up resources to help guide a quick timeline wedding:
Wedding Crunch Time
Sometimes It’s All in the Details
The Wedding Planning Timeline
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