How to Plan a Wedding in Six Months.

The average couple are engaged for approximately 15 months before getting married, but if you’re just really eager to walk down the aisle, it’s completely possible to plan a wedding in just six months! If you have a solid game-plan and are adept at making decisions quickly, you’ll be able to pull off a beautiful, polished event.

With six months to go…

· Know your budget and keep it at the forefront of everything you do. This can help you identify or eliminate options quickly, like what kind of vendors and venues you should be looking at and which ones you can leave off the table.

· Get organized. With a quick timeline, you’ll need to stay organized to make sure all of the needs for your big day are met. List out everything that’s important to you and check that list often to make sure you’re not forgetting anything.

· Select your bridal party attendants. With just six months to go, you’ll want to make sure your best family and friends are available and willing to help with your big day.

· Search for wedding attire as soon as possible. Many bridal salons need several months to order a gown and bridesmaid dresses. And even if you purchase straight off the rack, you will most certainly need time for alterations. The groom and groomsmen should also search for a suit and tux options, although they normally do not take quite as long to arrive.

· Create a guest list. These numbers are crucial for hiring vendors and planning for meals, seating, etc. Once you've decided on the guest list, be very careful about adding additional guests down the road. Last-minute changes could create logistical headaches and crunch your budget.

· Search for a venue. Contact your top choice of venue right away. Depending on the venue’s availability, you may have to tweak your wedding date. To ensure an easier booking, think outside the box and select a weekday, like a Thursday, for your wedding date. It’s cheaper, too! You can also choose a more out-of-the-box reception idea like breakfast/brunch.

· Select paper suite. If you want to send your guests save-the-date cards, you’ll need to choose the invitation suite for your wedding as soon as possible. You’ll want to get this information to your guests quickly.

With five months to go…

· Figure out what’s most important and schedule appointments. After big decisions like date, venue and dress, come all the finer details such as picking a caterer, selecting rentals/linens, selecting flowers, choosing a cake flavor, etc. Set up these appointments as quickly as you can, understanding that your top-choice vendor may not be available.

With four months to go…

· Purchase your rings. You need to make sure there’s time to get them resized, if possible.

· Select the officiant. Nail down the details of your ceremony, as well, and if there are any other things you need to consider, like hiring musicians.

With three months to go…

· Plan your honeymoon. Book as early as possible so you’re not hit with expensive, last-minute fares or a limited selection of accommodations.

· Do a hair/makeup trial. You’ll want to give yourself time for this part of wedding planning because if the first salon doesn’t quite meet your expectations, you’ll want to plan another appointment to ensure you create just the right look.

With two months to go…

· Send out your invitations. Be sure to include a deadline of two weeks out from your date for RSVPs from guests.

· Enjoy your bridal showers and bachelorette party. Just because the planning timeline is short doesn’t mean you can’t soak it all in!

With a month or less…

· Confirm all details with your vendors. Connect with everyone you’ve contracted to help with your big day to make sure everything is on track, including timelines and final costs. You don’t want any surprises on your special day!

· Get your marriage license. Check your local Register of Deeds office for details.

· Purchase your final accessories. Make sure your entire look is complete before the big day.

The length of time couples take to plan does not necessarily equate to the beauty and memory of their special day. Six months is a quick planning timeline but it’s also completely achievable if you are organized and maintain an open mind! Just keep the true purpose of your day at the heart of everything you do during the planning process and the result will be everything you've imagined and more.

NC Wedding Planners