How long does it take to plan a wedding and why?

Question

I'm a guy so I don't know these things but How long does it take to plan a wedding and why? She said it could take months and I thought to myself It would only take me a week. What is a realistic time table to plan a wedding ????

Answer 1

It is different with each person you speak with. I am a woman, and I could do it in a couple weeks. Women get so obsessed with these huge weddings that they lose focus of what it is really about. To me it is simple, call the church, rent a small reception hall, call a caterer, get a dress and tux, that's it. I would have a small wedding, with a few close friends and relatives. I would also have a small reception. Everything would be small and personal. So it would only take me maybe a month at the most.

Answer 2

Depends on the size and elaborateness of the wedding you would like to have. I planned mine pretty much alone (with a tiny bit of help from my hubby and dad) in the period of less then 4 months. Although I think I could have even cut that too around 2 months if needed. We planned for 150 guests. Heres a breakdown on the shortest times for different things involving weddings that are not eloping or very small:
- caterer: about a month to month and half in advance. They usually dont buy the food until a week or two before it anyways. The only trouble is, if they are really good other people may have already booked them.
- venue (both ceremony & reception): depending where you want it and how many other people want to use it the same day. Really popular places may have to be booked a year in advance, not so popular places you could probably get away with around a 2 months.
- cake: about a month - again depending where you get it from and how busy it is.
- DJ: At least 1 and half months depending on their popularity. The DJ we wanted to get was booked over a year in advance. We settled for another one that was fairly decent and we booked him around 2 and half months in advance.
- Decorations/Favors: about a month if you bust your *** making or buying them.
- Tuxes: about a month too 2 months.
- The Wedding Dress: this one is the kicker. It can go either way. You can walk into a store, find the perfect dress and have it fit with no alterations and be ready that day. Or you can walk in, find the dress, need alterations and that takes 2 months. Worst scenario, you walk in several stores, see nothing you like in shop but find something you like in a catalogue, it takes 5 - 6 months to bring in, then possible alterations on top so around 8 months!
- Liquor license: 1 week
- Marriage license: 1 week
- Counselling: 1 - 2 months if this is something that is required getting married in certain denomination churches.

Again, it really depends on exactly what you want and for what size. I wouldnt go to much shorter then that though if your planning a wedding of size.

Good Luck

Answer 3

The previous answers have given excellent reasons why planning any kind of celebratory wedding takes much longer than one would think. I planned my wedding in record time - five months - and it was a full ceremoney and reception for 125 guests. I wish I had had more time to really enjoy working on some of the details that got swept aside in the rush.

There is one important thing I want you to know - being "engaged" and having a "fiance" is a very special time in a woman's life. Don't insist that your fiance rush through this time. Let her enjoy it.

Oh - one more thing - the guests at your wedding will automatically assume the bride is reponsible for every single detail, even if she is not. What's wonderful will be because of her, and what isn't will be blamed on her. The pressure is enormous and it is so easy for couples to get lost in the "doing" and forget the reason why they have asked their friends and family to witness their unification.

Don't try to understand the pressure she's under...just know that she is under pressure. Choose what really matters to you about your wedding, talk to her about that, and let the rest go.

And congratulations!!

Answer 4

Depends what kind of wedding you want. If you want to run down to the courthouse, then planning would consist of finding a time when the two of you are available for about an hour.
If you want a full out wedding with a reception, banquet hall, church, minister, etc....It could take the better part of a year if not more so. I am catholic and my church requires we START marriage prep courses at least one year before our hopeful wedding date. But normally you need time to enroll in these classes so already, just to actually get married you are looking at over a year. Some reception halls book up fast (really popular ones up to 2 years in advance!). If you have your heart set on a certain location, you may have to wait for it!
Wedding dresses certinaly don't make themselves! Your FI will need to try on the dress which will not be her size and then they will need to fit it to her which could take up to 8 months maximum depending where she buys it.
Invitations that are sent to guests are normally sent out about 2 months before the wedding, but you would have had to order them at least 8 weeks before that 2 month mailing period.
So yes, a wedding is a great deal of prep work and alot of planning ahead. However, if you want a few close family members (who live near you) and a couple friends, you could just print out invites on your computer, go to a justice of the peace and have a BBQ at your house afterwards...in this case, it may only take a week, but it will be a VERY stressful week on both of you!

Answer 5

It all depends on how elaborate a wedding you are having. For most standard weddings in my part of the world (NE Ohio) usually at least 6 months. Most brides take about a year. You have to remember, the bride's dress is usually special ordered and that takes time, plus you have to reserve the hall WELL in advance or you may not have it. (If you are getting married in an off-peak time you may not have to wait as long). Invitations also take awhile to come in after you order them - but before you can order them you need to have the Church, the hall, the date, be sure the caterer and cake people can do it that day, plus decide who all is actually going to be invited. (Guest lists are a major deal)
To choose a caterer and cake baker you usually have to go to places and do taste tests. Plus I'm sure you'll want to plan an awesome honeymoon and the best ticket prices are usually only available months before the flight.
Just to warn you- things change.. often so even if there is something you thought was done and planned - it will change.

(oh, I also forgot to mention you need to find a DJ and a Photographer, plus give the bridal party time to make arrangements and get attire.)

My advice is be patient, be forgiving, and participate as much as she'll let you =)

Good Luck and Congratulations!!!

A few last comments:
You have to set a budget and if (like most people) you have a limited budget you have to shop around. You'll have to find the best deals for your money without sacrificing quality. Also, it might be reasonable to plan the entire thing more quickly if that's all you have to do - meaning you don't have a job or other obligations. Weeks quickly turn into months if you can only meet with vendors in the evenings or on the weekends, you may only get to see one or two a week, then you'd have to see their competitors for ALL of the areas I mentioned above. Planning a major event like this takes time, and it's fun. Most women enjoy it - it is something we look forward to our whole lives. Part of the thrill of the day was getting to plan this fairy tale so don't rush her too much. =)

Answer 6

You COULD plan it in a week but it would be a very small, very stressful wedding with no guests and nothing looking nice - like eloping.
It's not realistic

You need at LEAST 3 months and that's is cutting it very close.
If you want a really nice big wedding you need 6 months to a year.

Because you need time to get the location and all the vendors before they book up - and you need time to order and send invitations to people - you need time to order accessories and to plan everything out. MY wedding is 2 months away and I'm working and I'm in school and I'm not as far along in the planning as I should be - I still have florist, hair/makeup person, video, decorations, and day-of coordinator left to do.. and honeymoon reservations.

It's hard to plan a wedding. Give your fiance time to do it without stressing out and time to have the day of her dreams - you want family and friends to come right ?? Give them more than a week to make plans !!

Answer 7

The 'experts' say 1-2 years. And if you have to wait for your ideal place or decorator or caterer, it could. And it depends on your wedding details.
I just borrowed a book from the library that says that a decent wedding can be planned in 3-6 months. I did mine in four.

Answer 8

It totally depends on what kind of wedding, and where you are. If it's a traditional type of wedding and you are in a city, you might have to book things a year in advance - the minister and church, venue, caterer, and band.
However, if you are just going to the courthouse or having a jp, you would probably do it in a week - just make the appointment and get the license, arrange for a meal for family and close friends, and Bob's your uncle!

Answer 9

Depends. A very few of us women do not care about all of the little details. I personally planned my wedding in 2 days. But of coarse I'm one of the few. Most women want to have a big wedding with all of the family and friends there. And they want everything perfect. It really all depends on how perfect they want everything to be.

Answer 10

It really depends on things...

1. how many guests as well as location of guests.
2. location of the ceremony/reception.
3. how extravagant or simple you want it to be.

Take your time and enjoy your engagement.