Can you really plan a wedding in a few short weeks?

two women looking at a laptop

Celebrating a festive proposal? Already caught the wedding planning bug? Don't want to wait two years? Having assisted couples previously with their short lead time weddings, experienced and down to earth Essex-based UK wedding planner Mary Briscoe gives some food for thought if you are considering tying the knot as soon as possible. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it even planning a wedding within a few short weeks!

two men meeting a business woman at a coffee table

The legal aspect 
The main task that you will need to handle first and foremost. If you already know that you wish to have a civil wedding ceremony and you've found the venue to host the wedding, contact the Registry Office associated with the venue as soon as possible. Without the registrars the legal wedding cannot take place. This is the same if you wish to have a church service, contact the relevant person, and get the ball rolling.

  • You must sign a legal statement at your local register office to say you intend to get married which is known as 'giving notice'.
  • You must give notice at least 29 days before your ceremony and must hold your ceremony within 12 months of 'giving notice'.
The key benefit of a planning a wedding quickly is the decision process is easier and less stressful.

Trusted Wedding Professionals
You don't have time to wade through endless quotes and options, especially if you are juggling planning your wedding with a full time job. Once you have a wedding date confirmed, which will come with the booking of your wedding venue, along with the legal wedding ceremony element, you can then begin sourcing those all-important additional wedding professionals.
Initially when contacting wedding suppliers, you simply need to establish if they are available on your chosen wedding date without going into the detail. Time is of the essence here. If they are not available ask them for recommendations. The wedding industry is a close knit community, and love nothing more than assisting one another.

couple at a table shaking hands with a supplier

Be prepared to make compromises.
But don't let these compromises leave you uncertain. You still need to be 100% confident with every single decision you make.Trust in your gut instinct.

Budget!
Regardless of whether you're planning a short or long lead time wedding you must establish your wedding budget at the very beginning of your planning journey. And stick to it. It's not sexy, it's not romantic and, let's be honest, no one likes to talk about money, but it is all about managing each other's expectations and importantly to ensure that you are starting this new chapter of your lives together on the same footing.

Priorities
Ensure you prioritise what's important to you both as a couple and individually, rather than other outside influences. Write everything down that needs to be organised to declutter your mind. Get it all down, from florist, photographer, band or DJ, venue or marquee, wedding dress, grooms' attire, honeymoon and so on....
The list will initially seem endless, however when you break it down into manageable chunks and priorities it will come together perfectly. You are essentially completing a massive jigsaw puzzle, with each piece making up a single element of your wedding.

If you get all the key elements sourced and secure first, everythig else will fall in to place and you dream wedding will emerge.

wedding couple standing by a field Credit: Images from Getty

You may also be interested in

County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey

County Wedding Events comes to Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey, for inspiration on Sunday 8th November, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

READ ARTICLE

The Montagu Arms offers weddings in the heart of the New Forest

The Montagu Arms offers weddings in the heart of the New Forest

The Montagu Arms is a charming countryside hotel and wedding venue tucked away in the picturesque village of Beaulieu. The beautifully restored 17th-century boutique hotel offers a scenic setting for weddings in the heart of the New Forest. The four-star property provides an intimate and elegant backdrop for celebrations of every scale, from relaxed intimate gatherings to exclusive private hire celebrations. Guests can stay over in a choice of 33 elegant bedrooms and suites, brimming with country charm and providing a welcome home from home. Features include wood panelling and lead-lined windows in the House Suites, and a freestanding bathtub, twin marble sinks and a private terrace in the Courtyard Suite.

READ ARTICLE

Wowcher’s spa expert Cheryl Corns shares five ways to enjoy a little luxury for less

Wowcher’s spa expert Cheryl Corns shares five ways to enjoy a little luxury for less

A relaxing spa visit doesn't have to involve an overnight stay or a three-figure budget. From choosing a shorter treatment with facilities access to comparing afternoon packages, there are ways to enjoy a little luxury while keeping spending down. Cheryl Corns, Wowcher's spa expert, shares five practical tips to help people find a spa experience that suits their budget. "Start with what you'd most enjoy from your visit," says Cheryl. "A massage, a swim and some time in the sauna might be exactly what you're looking for. You don't necessarily need a long treatment or an overnight stay to make it feel like a treat. "The key is to compare the whole experience—what treatment you get, which facilities you can use and how much time you have there—so you choose something that works for you."

READ ARTICLE

Keepsakes to Treasure with House of Janneke

Keepsakes to Treasure with House of Janneke

Lifestyle brand House of Janneke is expanding its collection of meaningful keepsakes with two new titles: The Book of Special Guests and The Book of Special Recipes, designed to preserve the people, stories and traditions that matter most. Following the success of The Book of Special Days, founder Janneke Simpson has created two beautifully presented books that encourage owners to capture memories by hand, creating personal mementoes to revisit and pass down through generations.

READ ARTICLE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on YouTube

VISIT SITE

Submit your wedding to be featured in Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine

VISIT SITE

Blossom Boutique

VISIT SITE