Just Started Planning--Short Engagement

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, just officially mailed in my contract and booked my venue (ceremony and reception) at Flowerfield for 9/20/14! So that means I have only a little over 6 months to plan. Anyone else who had/has a short engagement have any tips? I know I should basically book everything ASAP. Looking into photographers this weekend, save the dates, then dress, entertainment, and florists. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Personally with 6 months I wouldn't waste time on save the dates. Only bc they still gets invites so shortly after. Unless that is u have alot if out of town guests. But if everyone I'd on long island I wouldn't bother. I would also recommend going to rk bridal in nyc they have a large off the rack rack section so u don't have to pay for rush orders!! Congrats btw!!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Congrats! I a;so have a short engagement. I suggest looking for a dress sooner (in the next couple of weeks) than later but you still have time to order. Looks like you have all the other appointments lined up. Good Luck. This site has a wealth of information and will guide you over the next 6 months.

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

There's a big bridal expo coming up April 3rd I would definitely go to that to help meeting different vendors. Its advertised on this site

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

i agree with the above poster, just skip the save the dates and save that money! Not worth sending out 6 months beforehand... I think booking everything now is a good idea, and definitely the dress is important because most take 8 months to come in, same with bridesmaids... so you'll have to rush order most likely but it's not the worst thing in the world

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Congratulations! Just take things one at a time and do what is most 'time sensitive' first. Def put dress on top of the list!

Re: Just Started Planning--Short Engagement

First of all congrats!! Its very exciting and does NOT have to be as panicked as everyone makes it sound! All you really did was shorten the period between vendor deposits and final payments.

We booked our 8/15/14 wedding, 3 weeks ago. So 5 1/2 months to plan. There were 2 weeks of emails, calls and appt. but everything is in contract and we're excited & relaxed already!

A few tips:
- Nix the Save the Dates. Sad I know, but they were original intended for people who have super long engagements, book holiday weekends or destination weddings. Have the engagement shoot and use the photos for other things!

- Photo/Video. Don't waste hours looking through albums/watching videos until you know they are available your date! Send out 2 dozen emails of vendors within you budget , once you have a short list of those actually available take the time you go through their work. You will quickly eliminate a few to don't like and then set up appts with the 2-4 you do like!

- YOUR DRESS!! I would start shopping as soon as you (& your wedding entourage can!) Dresses can take up to 4-9 months to be ordered! To avoid too many rush fees and/or falling in love with a dress that wont be here in time.. start shopping!!

Sorry this was so long, but I feel like I have so much info to share to streamline this process stress free!! Feel free to message me with questions & don't forget to enjoy the process!!

Re: Just Started Planning--Short Engagement

Congrats! I definitely wouldn't send out save the dates - at this point, you should start looking at invitations because you'll have to send them out in a few months and depending on who you choose to go with, they can take awhile for production from start to finish. I went to Budget Printer in RVC and got mine in a few days, so if you don't have anyone else in mind, I definitely recommend looking into them.

I would also start looking at dresses ASAP. I went six months before my wedding and that was really far behind (or at least that's what I was told). I lucked out that I didn't have to pay a rush fee, but the dresses take a long time to come in.

I also agree with the above poster - don't get your heart set on a photographer until you call and see if they are available. Unfortunately, things book up years in advanced so you may not be able to get the one you want. I booked two years in advanced and wasn't able to get the person I wanted, but it worked out for the best because I got someone in that company who is actually seemingly better than the person I initially wanted.

Limos I think are something you can wait a little while to do. If you don't have a particular car/limo in mind, you can usually always find that. We're using Camelot and Joe has been great!

You'll definitely be able to get everything done in time - you're just going to be very busy for the next few months!! Good luck with everything - if you need any other help, don't hesitate to ask!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Congrats!!! You'll love working with Flowerfield. They are beyond fantastic! Def start with photo/video, dress, and music. In my opinion those are the most important.

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Thanks so much everyone, this is all super helpful!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

I agree with the dress!!
Also, since it's Flowerfield, you might want to consider using their house vendor recommendations as a starting point to save yourself from starting from scratch. September is the new June, and you should book your vendors fast. We spent two years and had some trouble getting who we wanted for September. Also, DOC would be a real help.

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Congratulations!!! 6 months is plenty of time to plan! My sister had a 3 month engagement and her wedding was beautiful. I would say take it one step at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself but try to get the big things out of the way now (Dress!! Photographer, DJ, florist) and the smaller things you can save for later (like limo's, bridal accessories and etc). I also wouldn't do save the dates at this point- from what i've read they usually are supposed to go out 6-9 months before the wedding.

Good luck and definitely use the forums for advice and stress management!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

congratulations! i had a short engagement (4 1/2 months!) and i suggest getting your dress right away. they will want to charge you rush fees the closer you get and it takes time getting appointments so get that out of the way first. then in order of importance- music, photo, video, flowers, limos, invites, tux. will you have a bridal party? we decided against it and only had flower girls and ring boys (our nieces and nephews) but if you are, you will need to get those dresses asap as well.

Re: Just Started Planning--Short Engagement

i got engaged in january and i'm getting married this june! so i planned in about 5 months. now that you got the hall figured out, get the dj/band, photographer. i made my own centerpieces so i didn't need a florist. i wouldn't bother with save the dates. im only inviting 90 people so i basically told everyone the date. if you're going on your honeymoon right away i would start looking into that too. also book your officiant!

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement - Long Island Weddings

Would also get the bridesmaids dresses out of the way ASAP b/c mine are taking 4 months to be delivered. I used weddingtonway.com
Also select your photographer first as well.

Just Started Planning--Short Engagement

Congratulations! Get all your major vendors done ASAP!