Can this be done??

mtnbrooke7

Hello all,
I am just recently engaged, and we are thinking about getting married Sept.1.  It is the best of only a few dates available this year at the venue we want.  I'm not planning on having anything extravagant, but I'm starting to think about all the details and getting a little worried.  Can everything get planned in 4 months??  I am a teacher so I'll be off for two months in the summer, so I figured I could get a lot done then.  I'm trying on dresses tomorrow.  Anybody else in the same boat?  Am I crazy? lol

NO2012

I've been planning for almost a year now and part of me is jealous you will have such a short engagement! I think it can be done if you are up to the task. If it were me, I would prioritize what things are important to you such as photographer, dress, etc. and quickly find out if you can still get those vendors for your date. If you are willing to be flexible and won't get hung up on "I have to have THIS photographer, or baker, or reception band," then I think you can pull it off. I wouldn't wait until you out of school for the summer though to start those big tasks. Good luck!

mtnbrooke7

Thanks. I just really really love the venue and so I guess I'm willing to be more flexible on other things in order to get it at the location I want and not wait until next summer or something.  I think if I can find my dress pretty quickly, the two biggest things for me will be checked off and I can get the other stuff done a little easier.  I honestly have no idea on photographer, catering, etc...so, I guess we'll just have to pick the best out of what's available!

QueerFemme

I the biggest issue will be the dress.  Most dresses take 4-6 months to arrive.  So, you are really pushing it with that. But, if you are willing to buy off the rack or used, and get lucky that you find something you love in your size, then I think the rest can totally be done in 4 months. 

wcasar

First off, congrats! 

It can be done, you just have a lot to to in a little amount of time. One item I consider to be the most important is how are you going to pay for it. Make sure you start saving your money or have money to pay it off. You don't want to place things on credit cards and pay for them longer than you have to.

Start making your budget and the list of who you are inviting. Once you lock in your location and food, then the rest is pretty easy. You still can find a dress in time as long as you are okay with something off the rack or something that is already made. You just want to make sure you have time for alterations. My BMs just ordered their dresses this week and they take up to 12 weeks to come. So you are still good on that.

There are so many resources here on the Knot to help you with the planning process that you should be fine. Don't be afraid to ask us!

mtnbrooke7

Thank you!  Yes, I'm so glad I found this site!  Although it is freaking me out because there are so many things about planning that I've never even thought of! haha  I just need to find "the dress" and I think the rest will be okay.  We go to tour the venue on Monday, so I'm still anxious to get that nailed down.  I guess if something happens and Sept. 1 is no longer available, we will have to go to plan B, which might be a Dec. or Jan. destination wedding or wait til next spring/summer! I'm hoping it all falls into place, though!

Oh, and my parents have very generously offered to pay for the venue!!!!  So that was really awesome and has made it possible for us to get married so soon!  I had a bit of a meltdown looking through prices of things...sheesh..it adds up FAST. 

hollyweenOR

Sure you can! But don't make yourself crazy, and don't plan everything to death. I had some friends who got married about 5 months after getting engaged (wedding was November, so they had lots to choose from- not tons of competition- but a SUPER tight budget), and they pretty much said, "It will fill the time you have"- basically, if you're taking a year, then yeah, it'll sort of expand to the point that it will take that long. But if you have four or five months or whatever, you can do it in that time. Just cut to the chase, don't waffle over vendors, and definitely decide what one or two things are the absolutely most important things, spend your time & money on those and just get the rest in line. Will it be one of those magazine weddings where "oh, the bride did DIY *everything* and every single aspect was representational of the very souls of the bride and groom"? Well, no, but most weddings aren't anyway.

mamameech

Of course it can be done! I've known a few ladies who have put it all together in a couple months so you're ahead of the game lol

It's really just about choices, availability and well, time. If you're flexible and can work with what is available to you, then you're good to go.

CONGRATS!!

TheGaffer

I really wish that I had gone with a short engagement. Do it! Planning is fun and with two months off, there's no reason why you can't get it done. Go with a simple wedding and it'll be even easier. Have fun!

SCogs18

You can do it!  My biggest suggestion would be to start booking your big vendors ASAP and start contacting dress shops so you can buy a dress so it will come in on time

Welcome!

fluffiest1

I got engaged middle of April this year, having a wedding in Maui with I guess 30 to 35 people. Last week, ordered the dress and veil new and will have it altered in time. I can not figure out why so many freak out? Be flexible enough to still get what I want but maybe slightly adjust a few things. No big deal. As far as family, I've told them, we would be honored to have them and would love it, but if its too expensive we completely understand...and leave it at that. Keep it simple.

DreamCLG7

I think it totally can be done. We decided back in March to have our wedding in Sept. So 6 months to plab. I was super overwhelmed when I started, but I was able to get a lot done in a short amount of time. And since I didn't have a ton of time, I've had to be pretty decisive in making decisions, which I think is a good thing.

mtnbrooke7

Thanks for all your posts!  I went dress shopping last weekend and already found "the dress"!!!  Which is exciting!  They had my size and nothing was wrong with it, so I ended up taking it home that day!  I will need to get a couple of small alterations, but I'm glad to not be waiting on it to come in.  We also checked out the venue yesterday, and now are just waiting to figure out if the catering place can do it that weekend before we book the venue.  And now...why can't I decide on bridesmaid dress colors???!  lol