How to Plan a Wedding in 6 Months

Firstly, if you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’re engaged or at least anticipating engagement, so congratulations! Secondly, this post is intended to be a guideline to help you plan your dream day. You do not have to follow this stringently. Your wedding is going to be beautiful no matter what, because it’s YOUR wedding day. But here are just a few tips and tricks that I wanted to share about how I was able to plan a wedding in 6 months!

Many of you may be thinking, “6 months?!?! That’s insane!” But bear in mind, every bride is different. I just knew that if I had a long engagement, I’d likely plan 2 or 3 weddings in the process. It was better for me to have a shorter timeline because that gave less room for indecisiveness. If I had less time to question my decisions, then all parties were happier. Also, Cary and I knew shortly after we got engaged that we were going to be moving to Myrtle Beach that summer, so it made sense to get married before our move to South Carolina. So here is my timeline that helped me stay on track during my 6 month engagement.

Bear in mind, that when your timeline is shorter, more tasks have to be done at the beginning of your engagement. This allows for leniency closer to the big day. So that’s why there are a lot more tasks for the first few months and less as you progress!

Create a budget
Choose a venue/date
Pick a theme/color scheme
Hire a wedding planner/coordinator
Create a guest list
Hire vendors (photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/music)
Choose your officiant
Seek out a premarital counselor
Buy wedding dress
Take engagement photos
Buy Save-The-Dates
Book hotel block for guests
Create wedding registries

Finalize guest list & buy invitations
Establish wedding party
Pick out bridesmaids dresses, groomsmen suits
Create wedding website
Send out Save-The-Dates

Buy wedding bands

Send out Invitations, 6-8 weeks prior
Schedule Food and Cake Tastings
Plan Honeymoon
Create Wedding Weekend Timeline
Create shot list for photographer/videographer
Create playlist for reception

Bachelorette/Bachelor parties
Hair/Makeup Trials

Get Marriage License
Meet with Vendors
Finalize details

When it comes to planning a wedding, there is no right or wrong timeline. We had 6 months, and it was perfect for us. So if you want to be engaged for 2 years or 2 months, that’s your business. If you’re engaged, remember this: a wedding is a day, but a marriage is a lifetime. Yes, you can plan a one-day event in an any amount of time. You can and you will. But don’t forget to invest in your marriage before it starts. The planning is fun, but don’t forget to do the premarital counseling. Learning more about your relationship, goals, and communication styles is what’s going to prepare you best for the longevity of marriage.

What is/was your wedding timeline?