How to plan a wedding in 6 months

Ok, so you had a lovely Christmas engagement, and everyone is happy, but you don’t want a long engagement. So, how do you plan a wedding for this summer? It is possible… Planning a wedding in six months might seem daunting, but it’s more realistic—and enjoyable—than many couples expect. With clear priorities, smart decisions, and the right people supporting you, a shorter timeline can actually reduce stress and help you focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love.

Here’s how to plan a fun, quirky wedding in six months, and why choosing the right celebrant can make all the difference on the day.

The first month is all about making decisions that influence everything else.

Start by sitting down together and clarifying:

Your budget… be realistic, don’t fight at the first hurdle!!

Estimated guest count

Book your venue; once it's booked, you can relax a little. If you opt for a celebrant-led wedding, then you can broaden your search and get more value for your money. Think bar, café, theatre. This will help you decide your date. Do you have to have a Saturday wedding? Could you have it on a Friday? More places and venues will have last-minute availability on a weekday.

Celebrant

Photographer

Caterer (if not included with the venue)

With the big pieces locked in, move on to the details that support your vision.

2nd month

• Finalise your ceremony time and structure

• Choose your wedding party (if you’re having one)

• look for your dress, their are a lot of options on line

• Send save-the-dates or invitations (digital works perfectly)

A celebrant can guide you through:

• Legal requirements and paperwork

• Ceremony length and flow

• Choosing readings, rituals, or symbolic moments

Many couples planning quickly find this support invaluable—it saves time and ensures nothing important is missed. Think of your celebrant as an unofficial wedding planner, checking you have everything you need.

about three months before you can start to think about the fun stuff, flowers and room decorations, it is possible to make your own if your creative, but if you want a stunning fresh bouquet then you may need to shop around to find a florist that can help, the thing with planning wedding in such a short time is that you need to be flexable, you can have a definate theme/color palete , you will have to shop aroundm, it will be an intensive 6 months but with the help of the internet, friends and family it can be done.

• Writing your vows (or deciding if you’ll write them together)

  Selecting music for the ceremony

  Choosing readings or cultural elements

  Planning any special rituals (handfasting, unity candle, sand ceremony, etc.)

  In the last 6 weeks, you should...

  Finalise your guest list

  Confirm suppliers and timelines

  Organise rings and marriage licence requirements

  Your celebrant can work closely with your venue and other vendors to:

  Coordinate ceremony timing

  Ensure smooth transitions

  Avoid awkward pauses or rushed moments

  As the day approaches, focus on clarity and communication.

  Final dress/suit fittings

  Confirm seating plans

• Finalise vows

  Provide your celebrant with any final details, such as name pronunciations, family dynamics, or special acknowledgements.

  In the final weeks:

  Rehearse if necessary.

  Delegate tasks. This is when friends and family really come into their own. Most people will be willing to help if you ask nicely!

  Take time to rest and reconnect as a couple.

  When planning a wedding in six months, there’s no time for stress, confusion, or cookie-cutter moments.

  A celebrant helps by:

  - Saving you time

  - Reducing anxiety around legal and ceremonial details

  - Crafting a ceremony that feels genuine and heartfelt

  - Ensuring your wedding is remembered for how it felt, not just how it looked

  Whether your wedding is large or intimate, traditional or modern, the ceremony is the heart of the day—and a skilled celebrant ensures it beats beautifully.

  A six-month wedding timeline isn’t a compromise. It’s an opportunity to plan mindfully, cut out the unnecessary, and focus on what truly matters: your commitment to each other.

  With the right support—especially a celebrant who understands your story—your wedding day can be calm, meaningful, and unforgettable.