MANY COUPLES SPEND years planning their wedding day and agonise for months over the finest details. But for others that's simply not practical, or even desirable. If you're a sooner rather than later kinda gal then read one...
You're getting married when? But can you really organise a wedding in a few months? Of course you can, though there are plenty of people who will tell you otherwise. You may encounter negativity from family or suppliers, but you won't be the first or last bride to fast-track the happy day and with less time to play with you will have to trust gut instincts rather than mulling decisions over for days.
This way of doing things is not for everyone though. If you're a control freak or you've had a crystal clear vision of your dream wedding since the age of five, perhaps it's best to give yourself two years to pull it off. Whereas if you're the laidback type (can you see yourself turning into a ball of bridal rage when those finishing touches don't quite come together as planned?) then go for it!
A place to party - pronto!
If you have less than six months to plan, the chances are that most venues in your chosen town or city will already be booked up for Saturdays, but consider having the wedding on a Friday or Sunday instead and your options will be considerably broadened. If you do have one particular venue in mind, don't assume it will be booked up as you may be lucky. If not, it's worth asking them to give you a call if there's a cancellation on your chosen date - you never know and it happens more often than you'd think! If you are still struggling, think outside the (traditional wedding venue) box - the more unusual your venue, the less likely it will be booked. And just because a venue has never hosted a wedding before doesn't mean they won't consider it now; you can apply for a special one-day licence for almost anywhere these days.
The supplier sprint
After the venue, the next wedding-day-essential is your outfit. Be prepared to be sternly told off and even laughed out of the salon when you inform staff of your puny timescale - but don't panic. Some shops won't be able to help, others certainly will. It may just take a little more shopping around. You may be lucky enough to find a dress off-the-peg that only needs minor alterations, or you might have to pay over the odds for a speedy delivery. Alternatively, designers have been known to make dresses in a few months. When it comes to other suppliers, you may find the florist, band or cake designer who was recommended to you isn't available. If you have to go for suppliers you're unfamiliar with, ask for references and follow them up. When the date is set in stone, tell guests as soon as possible - communication is even more vital with tight timescales. In the same vein, prioritising and delegation are skills you should master. You will probably get stressed at some point, but what bride doesn't? Above all else, accept that everything won't be perfect, and that this is true even of the most meticulously planned weddings.
