8 Questions: about Planning a Wedding in a Short Timeframe

Wedding Planning on a Short Timeframe

This portion of our planning a wedding in under 4 months topic was structured as a Q & A session.
​Below you can read the frequently asked questions we have gotten, and what our answers are.

Chevy Chey Photography

Be organized and flexible.

​Choosing a non-Saturday, or non-peak "wedding season" date may be in your best interest. Finding all your dream vendors, at the last minute might be more difficult if you're planning for a Saturday in October since many vendors book those dates months, or year(s) in advance

8 Questions for Planning a Wedding in less than 4 Month

What has been the hardest part of planning a wedding in a short timeframe? ​

• Balancing work, life, and planning
  
• Making decisions quickly and without hesitation/second thoughts
  
• Finding available vendors (off-season, non-Saturdays, etc.)
  

Chevy Chey Photography

What is the easiest part of planning a wedding so quickly?

• It’s done! No need to stress for months on months
  
• No time to regret/second guess - have to make choices quickly
  
• Inclusive venue packages
  

How can you use technology to help keep planning a bit less stressful?

• Collect your wedding RSVPs online
  
• Wedding websites for updating information
  
• Live streaming for guests who cannot make it but want to celebrate and support you
  
• Planning via video calls! We do this all the time!
  
• Tours via video call. Yes, this is a normal thing, we do a few a month and are sure to be your personal tour guide.
  

Elopement, micro wedding, or regular packages?

Listen in to this episode on Behind the Party Podcast to hear the difference (or check out the Micro-wedding FAQs HERE).

What you decide to do for your moment and celebration is completely up to you! If your planning in less than 45 days we would recommend considering an elopement or micro-wedding, and if you want to host a reception later down the road you absolutely can! That way you get the best of both without stressing too much or going over budget.

​Inclusive vs not

• Inclusive venue packages mean that instead of finding a linen company, bartending company, caterer, or event staff to set up, bus tables, and clean following you have just 1 contact - 1 package and BOOM all set. Our most inclusive option currently includes way more as well - like cake, DJ, event management, and upgraded services. 
• ​If you prefer to not have inclusive option that's okay! Our blank slate package is a fantastic option and we will happily get you vendor recommendations of pros they work with regularly and know our property in and out.

​Will it be smaller?

JW Daniels Photography

• There are absolutely some things to keep in mind when you are giving your wedding guests short notice for your celebration. Guests need to get off work, which depends on the day of the week you host it or the location can be more difficult for them.
• All in all - it truly varies. Most weddings that plan within 4 months have close to the same percentage of their guest list able to attend. If you have family and friends from out of state, this will decrease your guest list "yes" RSVPs.

​Having help:

​We truly believe that it takes a village. Listen - if you hired us for your wedding day we could not do all the things alone. We would need a team to assist - and you should feel confident that it's okay that you do too! You have people around you already - let them know you need some support!

• Your family
  
• Wedding party (Listen in to Episode #44: Wedding Party Responsibilities)
  
• PROS - make sure you hire vendors that are ready to be on your team and help streamline your planning. Just be sure you aren't expecting them to do more than the service you hired them for.
  
• Skip DIY everything and just pick a couple of projects
  

​Is it stressful?

​Only you know what your triggers are. All - in - all wedding planning is STRESSFUL. We do this full time and it is still a LOT to juggle. So you planning something for the first time, ever, learning about not only planning but your local area and industry is a full-time hobby. Add on top the stress of meeting your family's expectations and PHEW.
​
The question though is planning in less than 4 months MORE stressful than planning in a full year? From feedback from our couples, the most common answer is no. However, we feel like this greatly depends on your flexibility, and knowing that some areas of your wedding may be more simple than others. Just remember simplicity is beautiful, it can be elegant or casual - but what it is means that you are not doing 100s of tiny details throughout the day.

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RESOURCES
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Learn more about our micro-wedding options HERE
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Listen to the Episode HERE

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Did you know…when you choose a locally owned wedding venue you are helping to develop and improve the local economy? It’s true, your locally owned wedding venues are small business owners who not only create hundreds of jobs for the local wedding industry every year, we actively support our local economy. Please consider a locally owned venue, you can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.

• La Joya Dulce (Steamboat Springs, CO)
• Ballroom at Windsor – McCarthy Tree Farm (Middletown, DE)
• Ballenger Bridge (Landrum, SC)
• 617palafoxwharf.com (Pensacola, FL)
• Tin Top Gin (West Texas)