I know what you’re thinking… EXCUUUUSE ME?! How do you plan a wedding in a month? I hear ya. Planning a wedding quickly seems like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. For several reasons, my fiancé (now husband) and I planned a micro wedding in exactly 30 days.
There are many reasons why a couple would need to think about how to plan a wedding in 30 days, whether it’s a terminally ill family member, work schedules, or just wanting to say “I do,” like, yesterday. Here are some key things to know when you are planning your wedding in a month.
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Set a date with a venue.
First things first, am I right? This is kind of like the chicken and the egg, which comes first; the date or the venue? This is all personal preference. If you’re picky about the date or picky about the venue, do that first thing. With a wedding happening so quickly, you can count on a smaller guest count (if you have any at all) since not everyone will be able to attend on such short notice. Knowing you’re accommodating a smaller group anyways, your date doesn’t have to be on a weekend which can save your big on your budget. Keep weekdays in mind.
Book your vendors
On average couples take about 14 months to plan a wedding. This means brides have booked vendors way beyond you were able to reach out to them. Reach out to a few photographers, caterers, etc. to see if anyone has your date available and work your way though the conversation that way. Keep. doing this until you find someone who can accomodate your request. I don’t think you can be too picky in this scenario but if you absolutely do not vibe with someone, do not use them. You’ll feel awkward and uncomfortable on your wedding day. Womp, womp.
Pro tip: Ask the vendors that cannot accommodate your date to see if they know anyone who can. Their business is big on referrals and most are happy to help brides in a panic.
Enlist help
You do not have to do everything yourself. Get a wedding coordinator and utilize professionals in this arena to take tasks off your hands. For example, photographers have standard shot lists, use them and add in any specifics you want. Or tell your caterers how many people, a length of time, any allergies and let them come up with a prix fixe menu.
Buy your rings.
You’ll want to do this as early on as possible, as it might take a few weeks to get your rings sized. Head to a local jeweler to purchase wedding bands. If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, or unique, Etsy is a great resource too. Make sure to get your rings sized prior to ordering using an at-home ring sizer though.
Stay loose on the details
You don’t have a lot of time to get things together, so find a few things you can be specific about and work with them. My fiancé and I made sure we had some signature cocktail stations to have that touch of ‘us’ in the room. Think of something small you can control that you want to be included and go hard on that one thing!
Shop off-the-rack
When it comes to finding attire for your wedding, you’ll have to be creative. You won’t have time to order a custom wedding dress. Don’t be afraid to order a few (or 12) dresses from companies and try them on at home. Check the return policy because we don’t want to having to keep something you might not like. Consider purchasing a dress or outfit from a department store like Nordstrom, or even renting attire from websites like Nuuly. For those wearing a suit, Men’s Warehouse is pretty quick as well as general department stores or suit shops with in-house tailoring is your best bet.
These were just a few of the ways we managed to plan our wedding quickly. So, yes, it can be done! What other tips and tricks do you have?
