Picking a date. December too soon?

I had four months and I could have easily needed at least another two. Six months could be a tight timeline especially when it comes to booking venues and ordering a dress. That being said, it CAN be done but it could also mean not getting exactly what you want.

I’m planning for Sept 2020 in Colorado. When we got engaged in February we talked about getting married this September, but I felt to stressed about getting everything together that quick and found a lot of vendors and venues were already booked. I’m finding a lot are booked through December 2020 already. I wouldn’t say it’s not possible to do, but you may have to be flexible with dates and may not get your first choice of vendors. It also likely means finding a dress off the rack since they can take 6 months to order or pay to have it rushed. Good luck and congratulations.

Can you compromise a little on the date? April - August aren't wintery. And they're closer than September.

I'd say give yourself 8-10 months minimum.

OR at the very least, start looking around and figuring out what you want and when these things are available. If the venue you absolutely love has a date open next May, go for it.

One thing to consider is how would planning affect your time in grad school?

I’d definitely give yourself some time to plan and really get into it giving yourself the wedding you’ve always wanted, especially if it’s out of state so people have time to put in dates and find accommodations. There’s been so many times this year I’ve wanted to move our wedding date from 2020 but you’d be surprised at how fast a year goes.

I couldn't imagine a 16 minth

In retrospect I would have preferred a shorter engagement - it was about 15 mos, and in retrospect I think it would have been easier on me to jump all in, rather than do some stuff, back off, do more, back off, etc.

Sorry about that. Hit reply by accident. As I was saying, I couldn't imagine a 16 month engagement. I'd be a mess by the end. We got engaged December 30th and are getting married July 20th. So less than 7 months. Plus we have a minuscule budget. But we're also going nontraditional which makes it easier.

I would suggest taking a week and making some phone calls and sending emails. Find out if there are vendors with openings in December. Let that guide you. If you are getting shut down everywhere, then you know you need to wait. But if you are willing to be creative and think outside the box, you'd be surprised at how things can come together. Our one reception is being held at a cultural center and the building is on the national historic landmark registry. It absolutely gorgeous! We paid $475 for the building, tables, chairs, tents set up outside with tables and chairs too. As far as weather, people travel to Colorado all winter for skiing. It is a risk, but it should be ok.

I say that there is no reason for you to wait if you don't want to. Good luck!

If you’re flexible on the venue and vendors, you could totally do it in 6 months! One of my brother’s engagement was 6 months, and the other one was engaged for 4 months. They both had beautiful weddings! Honestly, my engagement seems forever long at 10 months. I got engaged last month and have most everything done already. My mom keeps telling me that I could’ve easily had a 3-4 month engagement and been fine because I’ve been so on top of wedding planning (although, I’ve been planning my wedding since I was like 5 years old).

We got engaged at the end of December and didn't really start the planning until February. We originally wanted November, but August was the only availability for our venue and honestly just worked out better. So we are around 6 months for planning. One thing that's been super helpful and a stress relief for me is that we have a venue that comes with a package and takes care of the bulk of things. Other than invitations and decorations or random things I want, I really don't have much left to do and we still have three months. We just knew waiting until next year would be way too long of a wait for us. I think 6 months is plenty of time if you have the right tools and help. I'm already ready for August to get here!

My first wedding I planned in 5 months. This time is 6. I would not want to wait/plan for much longer. I'm a get it done kind of person; having too much time would make me anxious. I would worry about changing my mind on certain things like food or color or decor. I have 2 months until this wedding and the only things I have left to do is make some decorations (which are already purchased) and buy the beer and wine. My fiance needs to buy his suit and his daughters' dresses.
Sometimes it feels daunting and overwhelming to do it fast, but I wouldn't do it any other way. The waiting would make me crazy!

It can be plenty of time. My wedding was planned in closer to 7 months - and the last month with hardly anything to do.

However, I suggest really looking at whether December is right for you and your guests. It can be difficult for people to also budget for weddings (such as gifts, travel time, etc.) around the holidays without more notice.

We had a 10-month long engagement and I really feel we could've done it in 6. Almost everything was done by then! You can do it, as long as you're ok with not having your first choice of vendors. We were ok with that because, like you, I never dreamed of my wedding and my husband just wanted what I wanted. I'd suggest looking into all- or semi-inclusive venues to take some of the planning off your shoulders, and check to make sure they have December dates available before you even go look. Some places might be booked for holiday parties and you don't want to fall in love with one to find out it's not available on your date.

Once you find a place, start spreading the word asap or send out electronic RSVPs so that your guests that need to travel can start to plan their trips.

Good luck!

I got married while I was in grad school. It was a lot and I was working full time.
We were engaged a year, and I feel like that was perfect. we didn’t book any vendors until 9 months out, winter wedding.
I think it’s doable, I think it will be a lot of work. But, being you want a December wedding could work in your favor as many vendors will probably be available, and they may be willing to give you a discount. However, as you mentioned weather may be an issue and some of your guest list may not want to travel so close to Christmas (if you have a lot of out of towners)

If you can find a venue, a caterer, and a dress in the next month, you're golden. Those are the things that can take the longest. A six month timeline is totally doable, especially if you're a proactive planner, and decisive. If you're the kind of person who wants to find all, ALL your choices, and muse over them each individually and really take your time making each decision, go for the longer engagement. I'm definitely the former kind of person, and I wish our timeline was closer to 6 months. So does FH. A year has just given me time to second guess things.

6 months is totally doable!
We’re having 10 month engagement & are planning a wedding with all bells and whistles, in a very sought out venue. We’re having a lot of out of town & out of country guests & none of them needed more than 6 month notice. I feel I have ton of time to plan, way too much time actually.
We started looking at venues & contacted some vendors 7 months out, but we didn’t actually book any vendors until 4-5 months before our wedding! And we still got all vendors & all deals we wanted for our September wedding. So for me, that’s plenty of time. But if you are in a small town where vendor selection is limited, I can see a problem with some preferred vendors being already booked 6 months out.

However, in your case, I would choose a date based on the weather, your school schedule (you don’t want to slack in school because you’re planning a wedding, or to be super stressed) & your financial situation. If you can comfortably pay for everything within 6 months, then that’s great! But if you need to borrow $ etc. then I would wait until you can save. I would also personally not get married until I’m done with school & have a stable job I’m happy with. I would definitely want to be financially independent & stable before entering a marriage, for many important reasons. But that’s my personal preference.

I totally think it can be done in 6 months. Although my engagement is 11 months, I had a lot of the stuff decided within 2 months. We picked our venue within weeks of being engaged. If you want to move your wedding to December, then I would recommend getting a venue and dress ASAP. I would also make a list of everything you need/want. Weather could be an issue especially for anyone out of town. I would also recommend if you are going to have it in December that you have it in early December so that it isn't too close to Christmas. Below I have included some links to websites that provide a timeline for planning for engagements that are 6 months.

https://www.perfete.com/2015/10/6-month-wedding-planning-timeline.html

https://www.marthastewartweddings.com/627913/six-month-wedding-planning-timeline-tips

https://www.google.com/amp/s/https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/your-six-month-wedding-planning-timeline-amp.html

I was the same. Waiting longer gets me more anxious and I hate making a million decisions on things I don’t really know much about. We just want to be married already! We did 8 months and honestly that’s a long time in my opinion we could have totally planned everything in 5. The waiting game is stressful, I second guess every decision I make when it comes to wedding planning. The less wait the more fun it is I think! But everyone is different! If you have the funds and find a venue (that’s the most important) than do it girl! It can totally be done!!

Agree with PP on shorter engagements but really would advocate for doing what is best for you and your partner! We initially were really jazzed up about getting married in October - apparently so was everyone else because all the venues we liked were booked, so August it is! It worked well for us to pick a venue that had everything included and we were able to get everything done besides little things in about 2-3 months - we're both pretty decisive and knew the outline of what we wanted in our day. Additionally, since we're planning a wedding from afar, we've been really lucky my mom and sister in law have helped to do in-person appointments and coordinate - it's been really wonderful to have them help and they like doing it so that's been major relief. Whatever you decide will be great for you all!!

We’re going to be engaged for 13 months and I do wish it was shorter. However, we got out first choice vendor for everything so far and a significant venue discount because we went with an off-season month.