How to Plan a Wedding in Six Months

How to Plan a Wedding in Six Months with Curradine Barns

It may sound a little daunting, but planning a wedding in six months can be done. In fact, it’s all rather exciting as you’ll have less time to wait. Create a plan and get organised, and we’ll make sure you’re walking down the aisle in no time at all.

Here are the most important tasks you’ll need to accomplish to ensure you can plan a wedding in six months AND enjoy the wedding planning process.

Six months to go

With an approximate date in mind, some key decisions must be made before you jump headfirst into wedding planning and make those all-important bookings.

Get organised

We recommend you set up a spreadsheet to start organising your tasks, bookings and payments, as having everything mapped out and recorded will reduce wedding planning stress.

Budget

It’s time to set your budget, as this will affect the entire wedding planning process, including your choice of venue, number of guests, food and drink options, etc.

Date and venue

With just six months to go, you’ll want to be as flexible as possible regarding days and dates for your wedding.

Some venues are booked up years in advance, but you may find that if you’re happy to choose a weekday wedding, even the most popular venues may have a date or two free.

At Curradine Barns, it is entirely possible to book a wedding within six months as long as you’re flexible on the dates. We hope you’ll love our romantic, versatile spaces – an idyllic setting throughout the year. As soon as you’ve confirmed your booking, our on-site team will be delighted to help you with every step of your wedding planning.

Tip – It’s important to have an idea of guest numbers before you approach a venue to ensure your numbers can be accommodated.

Book your ceremony officiant

Before you commit to a date with your wedding venue, check first that your church, registrar or officiant of choice is available on that date, too. The last thing you want is to secure a date with a wedding venue but struggle to find someone to conduct your wedding ceremony.

Contact the registrar or church straight away to give your notice of marriage.

Set the date and write your guest list

Once you’ve secured your venue and date, it’s time to make an official list of people you’d like to invite. Send “save the dates” as early as possible to ensure everyone can put your date in their diaries.

If you haven’t already, it’s also time to select your bridesmaids and groomsmen. You can then enlist their help with the wedding preparations.

Five months to go

Decide on your theme

It’s time to lock down that mood board and colour scheme and decide on your wedding theme. Doing this will give you a firm foundation to decide on flowers, wedding cakes, decorations, groomsmen suits and more.

Pinterest is the best way to gather ideas, but be disciplined when deciding on a final theme. It’s easy to become distracted by the many thousands of gorgeous images you’ll encounter!

Book suppliers

As soon as you secure your wedding venue and date, it’s time to contact wedding suppliers. The sooner you do this in the wedding planning process, the better, as you’ll want to have complete confidence in the team you have supporting you.

Key suppliers might include photographers, florists, hair and makeup artists, cake makers, stylists, musicians, etc. Book as many of these as possible as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.

If you choose to have your wedding at Curradine Barns, our talented catering team will take care of your food and drink. That’s one less thing to worry about! We’d also be delighted to help with a list of our recommended suppliers, which might make that all-important selection process a little easier.

Go dress shopping

It’s time to grab a friend and head to the shops to find your dream wedding dress and accessories. You might not have the time for a couture gown, but off-the-peg dresses can be found in an abundance of wonderful styles and fabrics, and you can add your own alterations.

Make a day of it and enjoy a well-deserved day of fun after all the planning you’ve done so far.

Shop for rings

Set time aside now to peruse some local jewellery shops. If you’d like engravings done, leave plenty of time.

Four months to go

Wedding party attire

You already have an idea of what you’d like your bridesmaids and groomsmen to wear. Now is the time to explore buying or hiring suits and dresses and making those all-important final decisions.

Book your hair and makeup trial

If you haven’t already done so, book yourself in for a hair and makeup trial so you can make sure you’re happy with how you’re going to look on your big day.

Honeymoon

One of the most fun parts of wedding planning has to be deciding on the honeymoon. Discuss locations and plan to book flights and accommodation with plenty of notice to ensure you have the honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of.

However, bear in mind that you don’t need to head off on your honeymoon as soon as you’ve tied the knot. In fact, there’s something rather lovely about spending time planning this special adventure, which could even coincide with your first wedding anniversary.

Plan the details

At this stage, it’s time to think about the details. Imagine how you would like your day to flow and plan your menu, music and other personalised details from favours to table design and your wedding cake. Keep in touch with your suppliers, discussing colour themes and styles. They should all work with you to bring the day together within your budget.

Three months to go

Post your invitations

It’s time to send out invitations. Depending on your budget, decide between DIY invitations, calligraphy or a digital version sent by email, which saves on costs and is environmentally friendly. Plan to send out invitations between 8 and 12 weeks before the big day.

Finalise the menu

It’s time to finalise the numbers and your menu with your caterer or venue.

Hen and stag parties

We’re sure you’ve already got this covered, but if not, it’s time to arrange a pre-wedding celebration with your friends. You can arrange this for any time between now and the big day!

Two months to go

Final seating arrangements

Chase any outstanding RSVPs and start mapping out your seating plan. You can always make small changes nearer the time, but aim to have your main seating plan completed around this time.

Order favours

Decide on table favours and place orders two months before your wedding day. It’s worth checking with your wedding venue if you’re planning to have alcohol as favours in case this is something they don’t permit.

One month to go

Finishing touches

From place names and pretty ribbons around napkins to playlists and planning the morning of your wedding day… spare some time for those little details that can make all the difference.

Wedding checklist

Write a checklist of everything that needs to be done in these final weeks to help keep things organised. This might include actions assigned to specific helpers or suppliers, as well as final payments.

Pamper time

And finally … allow some time to relax before the wedding – even if just a day or two. Take a breath, have a manicure or facial and get some sleep. The Curradine Barns team is here to ensure your day goes perfectly to plan.

And that’s it – you’re ready to say ‘I do’!

See… you can absolutely plan a wedding in six months with the right tools and a head for organisation.

If you have yet to visit Curradine Barns or would like to discuss your wedding plans with our friendly team, please call 01905 670039 or contact us online.