How to Plan a Wedding in 6 Months or Less
In this post, I am going to show you how to plan a wedding in 6 months or less.
Planning a wedding in six months might feel overwhelming, but it’s totally doable. Below, you’ll find tips and advice straight from real couples who’ve been there, plus insights I’ve gathered from photographing over 500 weddings and helping many of those couples plan their day.
*Note: This post gives tips and advice on planning a wedding in a short amount of time. It’s not really a timeline of what to do and when to do it.
The good news is…I wrote one of those articles too.
You can check it out here: How to plan a wedding in 6 months (timeline and checklist)
Tip #1: Set Priorities
When planning a wedding on a shorter timeline, setting clear priorities is key. This will help you focus on what truly matters and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
What to Do:
- Sit Down and Discuss: Talk with your fiancé about your top three must-haves. Maybe it’s a specific venue, amazing photography, or making sure everyone you love can attend.
- Include Financial Contributors: If parents or others are helping pay for the wedding, involve them in this conversation too. Their input can help avoid surprises later.
How to Implement:
- Write It Down: List your top priorities as a couple. Seeing them on paper helps keep things clear and organized.
- Stay Focused: Use this list to guide where you put your time, energy, and money. When tough decisions come up, check back with your list to stay on track.
Tip #2: Create a Budget
Setting your budget is one of the most important steps in planning your wedding. It’s the key to making decisions confidently and staying in control. Once you’ve nailed this and your priorities, the rest will fall into place.
What to Do:
- Look at Your Savings: Start by figuring out how much you already have saved for the wedding. Be honest with yourself about what’s realistic.
- Calculate What You Can Save: How much can you realistically set aside between now and the wedding? Take a close look at your income and expenses to see where you can cut back. Even small changes add up over six months.
- Talk to Family: If parents or family members plan to contribute, have a conversation early. Knowing exactly how much help you can expect will make planning much smoother.
- Consider Extra Income: Are there side hustles or gigs you can pick up to bring in extra cash? Selling items you no longer use, babysitting, or taking on freelance work are all great ways to boost your wedding fund.
How to Implement:
- Write It All Down: Create a simple budget that includes what you already have, what you can save, and any family contributions.
- Stick to It: Use your budget as a guide for every decision. It’s easier to say no to something if it doesn’t fit into the plan you’ve set.
Related blog posts:
Tip #3: Use a Checklist
When planning a wedding in six months, a checklist is your best friend. It keeps you on track, makes sure you don’t miss anything, and helps you stay organized.
What to Do:
- Find a Checklist: Look for a wedding planning checklist designed for shorter timelines. These are more realistic and cut out tasks that don’t matter when you’re on a time crunch.
- Adjust for Your Timeline: Shorten deadlines, combine tasks, or skip anything that doesn’t align with your priorities. Focus on what’s essential to you.
Tip #4: Guest List
Before booking a venue or any vendors, you need to figure out your guest list. This one step can save you a lot of time and stress. Your guest list will determine where you can get married and what your wedding will look like.
If you’re inviting 150 people, you’ll need a larger venue that can handle that many guests. On the other hand, if your guest list is 30 people, you’ll have way more flexibility. You could even host your reception at a restaurant or in someone’s backyard. A smaller guest list can make everything easier…and more affordable…so don’t put this step off.
What to Do:
- Physically Write Out Names: Sit down with your fiancé and list every potential guest. Seeing the names in front of you will give you a better idea of how quickly the list can grow.
- Start with immediate family, close friends, and anyone you absolutely want there.
- Add more guests only if your budget allows for it.
- Cross-check your budget to ensure you can afford the final guest count.
Pro Tip:
If you’re on a tight budget, keep your guest list small. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money without sacrificing quality.
Tip #5: Choose a Venue That Fits Your Guest List and Budget
Your venue is one of the first big decisions you’ll make, and it’s a crucial one. It sets the tone for your wedding and locks in your date. Once you’ve got the venue booked, the rest of your planning can start to fall into place.
What to Do:
- Find Your Venue First: The venue finalizes your wedding date, which allows you to book other vendors. Focus on this step before moving on to everything else.
- Use Budget-Friendly Resources:
- Peerspace: This platform offers unique and affordable venues that might surprise you.
- City Parks Department: Public spaces can provide beautiful, low-cost options for ceremonies and receptions.
Pro Tip:
Post a message in your local wedding planning Facebook groups. Share how many guests you’re planning for and your desired date. You’ll often get responses directly from venues and other couples who’ve found unconventional or non-traditional gems in your area. These groups can be a goldmine for ideas and deals.
Many couples have planned incredible weddings in six months or less…you can too! Once your venue is booked, everything else will start falling into place.
***Related blog post: 25 non-traditional wedding venue ideas for any budget
Tip #6: Using Local Facebook Wedding Planning Groups
If you’re planning a wedding in six months or less, local Facebook wedding groups are a game-changer. Here’s why they’re so valuable and how to make the most of them.
Why Facebook Groups Are a Lifesaver
- Find Vendors Quickly: Most areas have wedding groups where you can post a simple message listing what you need, your date, location, and budget. Vendors often respond directly, saving you hours of research.
- Score Budget-Friendly Deals: Many vendors are more flexible with pricing for last-minute weddings. They’d rather fill their calendar than leave a date open, so you can negotiate better rates.
- Affordable (or Free) Décor: These groups are full of recently married couples selling or giving away wedding décor. From centerpieces to signs, you can find gorgeous items at a fraction of the cost.
What to Do:
- Join Local Wedding Groups: Search for groups in your city or region using terms like “[Your City] Wedding Planning” or “[Your Area] Brides.” Most communities have at least one or two active groups.
- Post Your Needs: Write a clear post about the vendors or items you’re looking for. Include your wedding date, location, guest count, and budget to help vendors and other brides respond with helpful info.
How to Implement:
- Search for Groups: Use Facebook’s search bar to find wedding groups in your area. Join multiple groups to expand your options.
- Write a Clear Post: Be specific about what you need…like “Looking for a photographer for April 20th in Denver for under $2,000” or “In need of rustic wedding décor for a 50-guest ceremony.”
- Engage with Responders: Reply to vendor messages promptly, ask for quotes, and review their portfolios.
- Check Group Posts: Look for brides selling or giving away items like décor, signage, or even dresses.
Tip #7: Ask for Help
Planning a wedding in six months is a big job, and you don’t have to do it all yourself. Asking for help can save you time, reduce stress, and make the experience more enjoyable.
What to Do:
- Involve Others: Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to trusted friends, family, or your fiancé. Whether it’s addressing invitations, researching vendors, or picking up décor, extra hands make a big difference.
- Communicate Clearly: When you delegate, be specific about what you need and when you need it. This avoids misunderstandings and ensures everyone knows their role.
How to Implement:
- Create a Shared Task List: Use a shared spreadsheet, app, or even a physical list to track everything that needs to be done. Assign tasks to the people helping and set deadlines.
- Leverage Online Communities: Join wedding planning forums or Facebook groups to get advice and tips from other couples. These communities can be a great source of ideas and moral support.
- Don’t Micromanage: Trust the people you’ve delegated tasks to. Focus on the bigger picture while letting them handle the details.
- Be Thankful: Remember…these people are offering to help becasue they love you want you to have an amazing wedding. Make sure to thank them (I recommend writing a handwritten note)
Pro Tip:
Remember, people want to help…they just need to know how. Even small tasks, like calling vendors for availability or picking up supplies, can take a huge load off your plate. And sometimes, just having someone to bounce ideas off of is priceless.
You don’t have to do this alone. Wedding planning is more fun when you have a team behind you!
Tip #8: Use Pre-Made Templates
Designing invitations or wedding signage from scratch can take weeks, but templates make it quick and stress-free. They’re affordable, customizable, and perfect for planning a wedding in six months.
What to Do:
- Save Time: Skip the back-and-forth with designers and go for ready-made templates. You can find beautiful options for invitations, menus, table numbers, and more.
- Stay Budget-Friendly: Websites like Etsy offer a huge selection of affordable templates that you can customize to fit your wedding style.
How to Implement:
- Choose a Cohesive Design: Pick templates that match your theme so everything…from the invitations to the table numbers…looks thoughtfully coordinated.
- Customize at Home: Edit the templates with your details and print them at home, or use an affordable online printing service.
Where to Print:
- Online Options: Sites like Vistaprint, Canva, or Zazzle offer professional printing at reasonable prices.
- Local Printing Shops: Check with local shops for fast and affordable printing options.
Using templates not only saves time but also helps you stick to your budget while creating a polished, professional look for your wedding.
Tip #9: Keep It Simple
When planning a wedding on a tight timeline, simplicity is your best friend. Keeping things straightforward not only saves time but also helps you stay within budget without sacrificing the beauty of your big day.
What to Do:
- Embrace Minimalism: A smaller guest list and simple décor mean less stress and fewer decisions to make.
- Focus on Essentials: Stick to what truly matters. Skip the extras that don’t align with your priorities or budget.
How to Implement:
- Limit Your Guest List: Invite only your closest friends and family. A smaller crowd makes everything from seating arrangements to catering much easier.
- Choose Versatile Décor: Look for items that can serve multiple purposes, like flowers that double as both ceremony decorations and table centerpieces.
- Streamline Decisions: Don’t overthink every detail. Trust your instincts, and remind yourself that less is often more.
Pro Tip:
Keeping your wedding simple doesn’t mean it won’t be special. A thoughtfully planned, minimalist wedding can be just as memorable…if not more…than an over-the-top production.
Plus, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed and intimate celebration.
Simpler choices lead to a smoother planning process, leaving you more time to focus on what really matters: celebrating your love with the people who matter most.
Tip #10: Stay on Schedule
Sticking to a schedule is critical when planning a wedding in six months. The more organized you are, the less stressful it will be.
What to Do:
- Avoid Procrastination: Start tasks early to stay ahead of deadlines.
- Limit DIY Projects: Only take on projects you know you can finish without adding stress.
How to Implement:
- Use a Calendar: Set deadlines and reminders using a digital calendar or project management app.
- Delegate Tasks: Assign responsibilities to friends and family to avoid last-minute scrambling.
A solid schedule keeps things on track and ensures your day goes off without a hitch.
Tip #11: Consider Hiring a Planner (If Your Budget Allows)
A wedding planner can be a lifesaver when planning a wedding on a tight timeline. Their expertise can simplify the process and help you avoid unnecessary stress.
What to Do:
- Hire a Planner: If it fits your budget, consider bringing in a professional to handle vendor communication, timelines, and logistics.
- Use Their Expertise: Planners know how to navigate short timelines and can make things happen quickly and efficiently.
How to Implement:
- Research Local Planners: Check reviews and recommendations to find experienced planners in your area (use the FB group tip from above).
- Schedule a Consultation: Discuss your budget, needs, and expectations.
- Review Their Services: Get a clear breakdown of what they’ll manage for you.
Tip #12: Simplify Your Wedding Party
A small wedding party is easier to manage and reduces stress. My wife and I only had a best man and maid of honor, and it was perfect…simple and easy to coordinate.
A smaller party means fewer outfits to match, less planning, and a more intimate experience overall. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Tip #13: Stay Calm and Enjoy the Process
Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Remember to pause, breathe, and enjoy the journey.
What to Do:
- Take Breaks: Step away from planning when you need to recharge.
- Celebrate Milestones: Every task you check off is progress, so take time to acknowledge it.
How to Implement:
- Plan Downtime: Schedule regular date nights or self-care days to relax and reconnect.
- Share Your Excitement: Talk to loved ones about your plans…it keeps the process fun and positive. But keep that list small since too many opinions can get overwhelming.
By staying organized, flexible, and focused on what truly matters, you’ll create a beautiful wedding in six months. Use these tips to keep the process stress-free and enjoyable!
More Wedding Planning Tips and Advice
Here are a few more blog posts that you might find helpful during the wedding planning process:
