Here comes the bride - faster than you'd expect

Hollins Hall’s wedding co-ordinator Tanya Lattimer looks at the growing trend for short-lead weddings

Working in the wedding industry for the past decade, Tanya, has helped couples organise all styles and sizes of wedding, but a trend she has witnessed in the past few years is the move towards short-lead weddings – organising the big day to happen very soon after the engagement.

Here, Tanya explores this trend: “It used to be couples were engaged for 18 months to two years before they eventually said ‘I do’, but now we are seeing an increase in people wanting to celebrate their big day less than 12 months after the engagement takes place.

“However, this shorter planning time means that couples need to be focused, to ensure their day is one to remember, below are my top tips on how to plan an amazing wedding, quickly”

1. Get organised– this is the top tip for any wedding, but it is particularly important for those who are trying to arrange it quickly. Start a spread sheet so you have the contact details of all the suppliers in one place, as well a meeting dates, payment details, budgets and next steps. This means everything is to hand and you’ll always know what you need to do next

1. Invite your guests– even if it is just a save the date, people’s diaries can get booked up early and it is always unfortunate if a loved one can’t make the big day. So even if the only detail you’ve decided upon is the date, let them know – the other information can come later

1. Prioritise – figure out what is most important to you and your partner for the big day and focus on that. Within a limited timeframe you may have to sacrifice certain elements of the day, but just think to yourself, what is important and what will make it memorable – then go with that

1. Don’t listen to negativity – if you tell people you’re planning a wedding in six months, you’re bound to get a reaction, but don’t let it influence your decision. Everyone’s wedding is different and with a positive attitude and good organisation you can have the big day of your dreams organised quickly

1. Remember it’s your day – don’t get wrapped up in what other people might want or expect from your wedding day when you’re pushed for time, ultimately it is about you and guests will have a good time regardless

1. Know your budget – it sounds obvious, but when time is of the essence it can be tempting to pay extra to get things done quicker, which can lead to you overspending. This is where that spreadsheet comes in handy – you’ll know exactly what you’ve spent and what else you need to budget for, so there is less chance of splurging

1. Enjoy it– planning a wedding should be an experience that you enjoy together, yes there will be stressful times and big decisions to be made, but when you start to feel under pressure, step away from it all, go on a date and remember why you’re getting married in the first place