Can you really plan a wedding in a few short weeks?

Posted by Danielle Harvey on 19 January 2022

two women looking at a laptop Celebrating a festive proposal? Already caught the wedding planning bug? Don't want to wait two years? Having assisted couples previously with their short lead time weddings, experienced and down to earth Essex-based UK wedding planner Mary Briscoe gives some food for thought if you are considering tying the knot as soon as possible. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it even planning a wedding within a few short weeks!

two men meeting a business woman at a coffee table The legal aspect
The main task that you will need to handle first and foremost. If you already know that you wish to have a civil wedding ceremony and you've found the venue to host the wedding, contact the Registry Office associated with the venue as soon as possible. Without the registrars the legal wedding cannot take place. This is the same if you wish to have a church service, contact the relevant person, and get the ball rolling.

You must sign a legal statement at your local register office to say you intend to get married which is known as 'giving notice'.
You must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony and must hold your ceremony within 12 months of 'giving notice'.

The key benefit of a planning a wedding quickly is the decision process is easier and less stressful.

Trusted Wedding Professionals
You don't have time to wade through endless quotes and options, especially if you are juggling planning your wedding with a full time job. Once you have a wedding date confirmed, which will come with the booking of your wedding venue, along with the legal wedding ceremony element, you can then begin sourcing those all-important additional wedding professionals.
Initially when contacting wedding suppliers, you simply need to establish if they are available on your chosen wedding date without going into the detail. Time is of the essence here. If they are not available ask them for recommendations. The wedding industry is a close knit community, and love nothing more than assisting one another.

couple at a table shaking hands with a supplier Be prepared to make compromises.
But don't let these compromises leave you uncertain. You still need to be 100% confident with every single decision you make.Trust in your gut instinct.

Budget!
Regardless of whether you're planning a short or long lead time wedding you must establish your wedding budget at the very beginning of your planning journey. And stick to it. It's not sexy, it's not romantic and, let's be honest, no one likes to talk about money, but it is all about managing each other's expectations and importantly to ensure that you are starting this new chapter of your lives together on the same footing.

Priorities
Ensure you prioritise what's important to you both as a couple and individually, rather than other outside influences. Write everything down that needs to be organised to declutter your mind. Get it all down, from florist, photographer, band or DJ, venue or marquee, wedding dress, grooms' attire, honeymoon and so on....
The list will initially seem endless, however when you break it down into manageable chunks and priorities it will come together perfectly. You are essentially completing a massive jigsaw puzzle, with each piece making up a single element of your wedding.

If you get all the key elements sourced and secure first, everythig else will fall in to place and you dream wedding will emerge.