Granted, planning a wedding can take a lot of time. However, you can successfully plan out a wedding in one month. No, magic is not required, and you don’t need a fairy godmother. All you have to do is follow some laid down guidelines and you can be walking down the aisle in a month!
First Week: Pick a date, start your budgeting and feasibility study
This includes deciding on a reasonable number of guests and finding a suitable venue.
Get contact details for caterers, decorators, photographer, DJ, makeup artist, hair stylist and other vendors; strike a deal and book immediately! If you're good at DIY, decide which tasks to take on. Practice your hairstyle and makeup look.
Welcome honest feedback on your efforts from your friends and family so that you'll know early on if you need to hire a professional. If you’re doing the decorations, this is the time to inform those that will assist you.
List and buy what you need for decorating. If your family will be catering, come up with a menu and ingredient list and cost the items. Buy the drinks too.
Second Week: Pick out your dresses and start sending out invitation cards
This week is strictly for this purpose. By the middle of the week, your invitation cards should be ready and be going out to those invited. Pay for express services if you need to. Here’s another tip; give the vendor a date that is two days before your estimated date. For example, your actual day for getting your invitation cards ready may be a Friday. However, you set a deadline of Wednesday for the vendor. This way, you’re under less pressure and stress.
Go dress shopping for yourself and any bridesmaids, and be decisive. It might be better to get ready-to-wear dresses than to risk being disappointed by a dressmaker. On the subject of bridesmaids, keep the train small for a wedding with such time constraints.
Third week: Hotel reservations, Honeymoon Plans and Ceremony Details
This week, book hotels for you and your guests. Choose a honeymoon location that doesn’t require too much time to plan.
For example, one that doesn’t require you to apply for a visa in advance, e.g. Seychelles or Ghana. The groom should have the wedding rings ready. If you're writing your own vows, they should be ready as well.
Fourth Week: Finishing Touches
At this point, tie off any loose ends. Confirm that all your vendors are ready. Check with family and friends that are travelling to attend. Try on your dress and make sure it still fits. If it doesn’t, get it done ASAP and stay there until it is perfect.
Use our Wedding Checklist to make sure you haven’t left out
anything as regards necessary accessories for the Bride and Groom, the wedding party,
the ceremony and the reception.
Special Note
Everything may not be perfect but it never is, even if you plan for a year. Realise that you need to be flexible and willing to adapt because of your time limits. Don't try to do it all yourself. Hire a wedding planner or delegate to reliable people.
Lastly, kick up your heels and have the time of your life. It’s your wedding day!
Photo credit: @klalaphotography