So yesterday we had two brides at polar ends of the planning spectrum. One bride had just “decided” they were getting married and has chosen April, yes, April, this year. I had a slight moment of panic when she told me. Half an hour later her dress was chosen, we were talking bridesmaid styles and off she went, stating that she felt most brides spend too much time planning a wedding.
The appointment before her had just delayed her wedding. In order to have more time to plan and save up. By doing this she’s added another year, making it 2 years at least.
So these completely opposite brides are ultimately planning in essence the same thing, a wedding. So my question for today, is how long is a normal length of time to plan your wedding?
I am often asked what is normal, and I never really have the right answer, because I think it depends on the bride. I had 18 months and to be honest I would have liked to have done it sooner. The parents and all involved looked at me in abject horror, when on Saturday 13th January, 2 days after the proposal, i suggested June the same year. My mother point blank refused to even entertain the idea, and quickly turned the diary to the months in the back of the diary for the following year. Lengthly discussions then ensued with everyone (including the mother in law) and it was decided the following June would allow enough time to plan everything, they hoped.
At the time I was a bit disappointed to not be marrying sooner and that planning would involve 18 months. It turns out 18 months allowed a nice spread of the “work” involved to mainly weekends. Apart from the lead up there was still time to talk about life outside of the wedding planning, just!
On the other hand, I may have had a small heart attack if it all happened in 3 months, i may have worried, like I always do before a deadline for anything, that I’ve forgotten something.
I have met many brides who have admitted that they have loved all the planning and wished it could last longer. Whereas others who have wanted it (the planning, not the wedding) to be over, as they found it all too much.
So, how long did you plan or are planning your wedding for? Could you have done it in 3 months?
x em
I have just started planning a wedding for a lovely couple getting married on Valentines day this year! They took the plunge and booked on 11th January, giving us around 6 weeks to plan the whole thing, no problem! I’ve just made sure I’ve surrounded them by reliable and experienced wedding suppliers. Xxx
Kay, Chatsworth Wedding and Events.
I think that is a record!! Wow amazing!
My 1st wedding was done in 5 weeks flat – Not a shot gun wedding, my mum was given 3 months to live and I couldn’t stand the idea her not being there. So with a great family and alot of compromise it can be done but i certainly wouldn’t recommend it. Turned out to be a huge mistake, but hey the day was lovely.
Round two, was the perfect version. We got married exactly one year to the day of getting engaged. Married 27th August 2012 in Greece, One of the highlights of planning, was the dress shopping at Emilys! Thank you Emily for giving me exactly what I needed during an emotional rollercoaster without my mum – A friend & a supplier
We booked 3 years in advance to allow us to save up. We booked April 2009 for April 2012, I ordered my dress November 2009 but then spent about a year checking out cakes, photographers and booked most of our stuff in 2011. It would have been great to get married quicker but by doing it the way we did we never compromised on anything along the way, still had holidays etc!!