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All the experts say you need at least eight months to plan a wedding. But what do you do if you do not have that long? Sometimes happy couples simply do not want to wait so long to accomodate planning. Others have pressing schedules that may include long distance moves due to career or school. The challenge is to make your wedding day memorable and to avoid the shotgun wedding label.

Managing to create a picture perfect wedding ceremony within an abbreviated time frame can be a daunting prospect, but it can certainly be done. Here are a few simple tips to help you pull off the picture-perfect wedding on strict schedule.

Location

When you only have twelve weeks to plan a wedding, it goes without saying that your options will be somewhat limited. The first and most important consideration is the location. Few churches will be able to accommodate you on such short notice, especially if you are marrying in the summer months. The summer is the busy time for nuptials and most churches are booked several months in advance. Couples can save time and money when they schedule their ceremony at the same place as their reception.

Many last-minute weddings are held at non-traditional venues, like restaurants or national parks. If you are really having trouble finding the right location, it may be a good idea to contact a wedding planner. These trained professionals have contacts in the industry and they are used to working under tight deadlines.

Dress

The average bride selects a dress nine months ahead of her big day. But what do you do when you have only a third of that time? As much as we love bridal boutiques and salons, they are simply not equipped to deal with rush orders. Large bridal emporiums are your best bet if you have to locate a bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses in a trice. These emporiums have a wide range of sizes in stock that are ready to be worn. They also have seamstresses on staff that can make the necessary alterations in weeks instead of months. You may not get your dream designer dress, but you will find something that is flattering in short order.

Invitations

The invitations are one of the last items on the list for the average wedding, but when time is of the essence, you'll have to get to them ahead of schedule. Depending on the number of guests, you will need at least a month or maybe six weeks to mail out your invitations. This does not include printing, stamping, addressing and mailing time. We strongly suggest that you select an invitation at least eight weeks before your big day.

The Cake and the Food

The reason many last-minute weddings are held at hotels and restaurants is that they have their own cooking staffs. Caterers who specialize in weddings are often booked up months in advance, especially during the summer. If you are having trouble finding a popular French or Italian restaurant to host your wedding reception, consider other options. Mexican restaurants, Middle Eastern eateries, and even barbecue joints are a blast for more casual wedding receptions.

The cake is another issue entirely. You should give yourself at least a month to shop for and find the right cake. If you wait until the last minute, the odds are that you will have to settle for a smaller display cake or even an ordinary cake that is dressed up to pass for a wedding cake.

If you have your heart set on a backyard or outdoor reception, it is imperative that you contact a caterer as soon as possible. Even the best and most experienced wedding caterer will not be able to come up with a complete menu and a cake on only a few weeks' notice.

The Rings

The most challenging ring a guy will ever buy is an engagement ring. When time is a factor, it is probably a good idea to simply take the bride-to-be to the jewelry store and have her pick out a ring she likes. If left to his own devices, it could take the groom-to-be weeks of snooping around and shopping to find out what his intended likes and where to find it. It's better to simply let the woman pick out her own ring. And when it comes to the traditional gold bands, they do not take long to find. An afternoon of shopping and a week for engraving should be more than enough time.

Discounts

It seems counter-intuitive, we know. But many couples are surprised to find that they are offered good discounts when they book a venue at the last minute. This goes double when choose a day during the slow season. Fall and winter weddings are less popular than spring and summer ceremonies. As a result, most reception halls offer basic discounts for couples who get hitched during these months.

Consider these helpful last minute tips carefully and you'll be ready to pull off the wedding of your dreams in short order!

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Source by Kristen Dysart