It’s no secret planning a wedding is a big task. There are so many details to be looked after, and you’ll inevitably need to make some tough choices. You might argue about the guest list, or you may need to pick a different venue because your dream venue was booked on your date.
Exactly how many hours does it take to plan a wedding?
The answer is usually in the ballpark of around 250 hours, give or take. Some people will tell you it takes much more to plan a wedding. Most people like to spread out their planning time, often over months or even years. The average engagement period is nearly two years, after all, so most couples have plenty of time.
What can you do when your timeline gets compressed? Maybe you started planning too late or your venue cancelled at the last minute. Either way, some couples end up in a position where they need to plan a wedding, but they only have a month or so to do it. These tips can help you get through.
Put a Time Limit on Everything
You have a limited amount of time to plan your wedding, so put a deadline on every decision you need to make.
This will keep you from second-guessing yourself or spending too much time on any one item. Big decisions, such as choosing the venue and narrowing down the guest list, need a hard deadline because they affect pretty much everything else for the wedding. They can also mean making many decisions, and you may find yourself putting off those decisions or reversing course.
By putting a deadline on it, you free yourself to make a decision then move on to the next item on the list.
Work with the Professionals
If you want to get everything done in a month, you’re going to need some help. The people you should enlist are the professionals.
Wedding planners, caterers, and other professionals have been in the business long enough to be able to provide you with sage advice and quick decision-making. They can help you by offering time-saving measures and shortcuts to make your wedding planning even smoother.
Scale Back the Plans
You may not want to sacrifice your dream wedding, but if you’re on a tight timeline, you’ll probably need to make some concessions.
Are there things you can scale back? Maybe you can cut back on the flowers, or perhaps you can scale back the meal from a full sit-down affair to a reception cocktail hour. While these options are often touted as cost-saving measures, they’re also time-saving measures.
You might also consider trimming the guest list. Or, pick a local venue so everyone can arrange their own transportation. It will mean one less thing on your to-do list.
Send Invitations Stat
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is settle your guest list quickly and get invitations out. One of the most economical and speedy things you can do is use e-vites. These generally take less time to design, and they arrive in your guests’ inboxes with a click of a button.
You’ll also need to tighten the timelines for RSVPs, and you may decide to skip the “save the dates” and reminder notices. With the wedding so close, it’s unlikely anyone will forget the date.
Set Your Budget
Perhaps the first thing you should do is set out a budget. In addition to your schedule, a clear, itemized budget can help you stay the course and get things done faster. Did you find a florist who could work with your deadlines and budget? Perfect—book it.
Keep in mind that accelerated timelines sometimes mean rush fees and higher prices, so having the budget can also be useful in this regard.
It is possible to plan a wedding in a month, although it can be tricky. With hard work and the right help, you can still throw an amazing party to celebrate your big day.
