How much time do you need to put into planning a wedding?

Question

I got engaged in June. We are planning on getting married at the end of the year, after Christmas. At first I was worried that this wasn't enough time, but I was reassured that 6 months is plenty of time to plan a simple, inexpensive wedding. However, 2 months later, it still doesn't feel like we really have anything more than a few ideas!! It is a constant worry of mine and it seems like no one else is focused on it quite as much as I am. I feel as though I am probably worrying a bit excessively and certainly not actually getting anything done in the process.

For all those who have been and are brides, how much time did you dedicate to thinking about the big day in the months beforehand? Should it be a "top" priority? Or should I stress out a little less?

Answer 1

You should definitely be doing ALOT of planning and booking now! December is only a couple months away and you also have to think about planning for christmas too.

The big things that need to get done first are: Venue, Officiant, DJ, Photographer, Caterer, Invitations! (these can take up to 6 weeks to make then you have to have enough time to send them out.) DRESS

Some of these people book up to a year in advance. the rest is mainly stuff that you can get the last couple months like: favors (if you have them) guest book and accessories, wedding apparel, etc.

If I were you I would maybe think about planning a March wedding, that was your over christmas, new years and valentines day and you have 3 more months to plan

Answer 2

We had a little over a year because that's just how it worked out with the date of the engagement and the day we wanted to get married on.

I think six months is enough time to plan a wedding. Several people here seem to have planned their weddings in six months or less. You just need to get things going and then you will probably not be as stressed.

Try signing up at a website like theknot.com. You can punch in your wedding date and they give you a check list/time line of what should be done and when.

Answer 3

You still have plenty of time but you need to find your venue quickly. Some places are booked a year in advance. Then get to work with the phone book and scout out your food, music, photographer and flowers. Make some preliminary phone calls and look at websites if they are available to help keep you from running all over town and spinning your wheels. Unless your getting your dress off the rack with alterations or renting a dress you should also be addressing that issue immediately. Once you have some of the major components in place you won't feel so stressed. Also have your budget in hand and allocate how much you can spend or want to for the different elements on your wedding day and stick to the budget.  

Answer 4

You can do it but you have to get a list together and get places booked asap.  Ceremony and reception venue, photographer, officiant to marry you, florist, attire, caterer, and so on!

Answer 5

I spent several months stressing, and didn't do or decide anything till about 4 months before.  You have time.  But now that it is August, you should start making final decisions, collecting things you need, hiring vendors, etc.  You need your dress, for sure.  

But don't freak out too much.  There are things you can't do until one month before, one week before, one day before.  Just get organized.  I made a dozen lists in Excel, decided when they needed to be done, and who would do them.  I delegated to the right people, and didn't worry about stuff I didn't have any control over, or that I didn't need to think about till later.  

Since I had a year, I did spend hours and hours online and with my spreadsheets, planning everything.  Most of it completely unnecessary.  I did almost everything at work, because half the time I don't have too much to do (that sounds bad, doesn't it?)  

The hardest thing I had to deal with was making "the FINAL decision".  What time the ceremony was at, the order of events, the wording on the invites, etc.  I'm not used to having that much responsibility, but since my husband didn't much care, it was all me.  Just plow through it.  You may have regrets (who doesn't?) but I'm sure everything will be just wonderful.  

Answer 6

I planned my whole wedding in 4 months.  It wasn't really stressful, it was just busy.  As long as you stay organized, you'll be fine.  theknot.com has some great count-down task lists to help you know what you should be doing when.

Answer 7

I have been engaged for the last two years and planned to have a huge wedding, the works in August of 2009. Well 3 months ago I found out I was pregnant with twins. My fiancé is in a full time police academy and we wanted to get married before it became impossible or got put off. So we decided literally two and half months ago we were going to get married. Our guest list is 225 people and the wedding is this Saturday. We have everything! I’m still amazed we have gotten this far. We have only spent $3500 and have very few costs left to pay. I’m not getting the works but from the looks of everything my wedding is going to be beautiful. Don’t stress...I haven’t until this week only four days to go. We ordered wholesale roses in fuchsia and bought $1 vases that came out beautiful with a rhinestone H (last name) and a touch of black ribbon-my colors. We have a friend who is the DJ, a family friend who is a photographer and is taking the photos and we are serving a chicken bbq dinner. My biggest money saver was DIY invitations $40, place settings $10/table, center pieces ($14/table), flowers for bridesmaids and groomsmen ($80), and the decors for the gazebo ($20). I am the biggest procrastinator in the world! If I can do it in less than 3 months for 225 people, you can do it no problem. Did I mention not to stress??? Let everyone else do it for you.

PS remember the smallest details are what you usually forget about get a wedding planning book or a planner if it’s in the budget. A book worked fine for me…way cheaper

Answer 8

I'm currently planning my wedding for October 2009. Engaged in April 2008. I'm completely stressed out. It's the worrying about finances FOR the wedding that's mostly weighing down on me. I'm going to school FT so it's even more difficult on me. Yes and no to the wedding being top priority. Don't lost touch w/ other things around you but also don't lose touch w/ your planning. It's crazy!!! That's why I'd tell people to just go to Vegas.