How long does it take to plan a wedding?

This question always warrants the ultimate “it depends” response.  I tell my clients that it takes a year to plan a wedding – on average.  There are mitigating factors that can vary this wildly. 

The very first consideration is the guest count.  There are only certain venues that can house very large weddings and they often book-up far in advance. Bigger guest lists also require more vendors and the the best vendors book-up just as fast as the venues.

A second thing to consider is the date and time of year.  If you choose to have a wedding on Valentine’s Day the venues will be booked months to years in advance. Short notice is just not compatible with booking on holidays or super trendy wedding dates (i.e. 11/11/11).

Another thing that is very important in determining a timeline is the formality of the event.  Ultra-formal events require more planning, period.  They take more time and preparation as well as more man-power.  The most formal events can take much longer than the average semi-formal event. Some brides have been known to start planning more than two years out from the wedding date!

Your next concern is venue.  There are many Central Florida venues that are booked well in advance of eighteen months before the wedding date.  Some venues are impossible to even consider without a full two year head-start. 

Something to ponder as well is budget.  There are vendors that will work with you on short notice but they will also charge a premium.  Rush charges are the worst! 

On the personal side, keep in mind also that weddings with little or no notice to guests can prevent many guests that would have attended from joining you.  People need time to prepare for travel and the arrangements and expense thereof.  Expect last minute notice to yield a lower amount of “Attending” RSVPs. 

With that said: almost nothing is impossible.  If you are flexible and willing to work to overcome the obstacles, a wedding can be orchestrated in a very brief time.  It could cost more and the stress could be intense.  I strongly recommend hiring professionals to assist you as much as possible should you choose to move forward with a short notice wedding or event.  One of the most beautiful, large, and detailed weddings I have had the pleasure of coordinating was a full service, start-to-finish package that my associates and I completed in just under 5 months proving that it can be done. Just remember don’t wait to ask for help!