Possible to plan by 09/07/24?

We’re in Chicago btw!

It's definitely possible! Lots of couples plan their weddings within a year! I would suggest not waiting on reaching out to vendors though - a lot of them fill up a year or more in advance. Congrats on the engagement!

If you have a good idea which vendors you would like, you can try to get the date allocated to you while you get the vendors' availability. You could set priorities about which vendors are more important -- such as venue and caterer maybe with more flexibility on florals and DJ/Music.

We planned our wedding in less than a year. I just made sure to get the very important vendors booked ASAP. For example, I knew before even getting engaged what photographer I wanted to use if we got married. Thankfully she was still available. If you can find phone numbers or their direct email I would do that. I wouldn't message them through WeddingWire as a lot of vendors don't even check their account.

We got engaged in May 2023, set a date and started planning in June, and we’re getting married in January 2024. I’ve only had one potential vendor who was already booked. It’s totally doable! Congratulations!

A number of couples plan their weddings in 6-12 months. The more elaborate Pinterest/Instagram style held at an expensive venue that only hosts weddings demands more time and money than a simple ceremony and reception at a decorated parks department owned community center that is booked a few months in advance and they come with all amenities that you need (tables, chairs, kitchen) to avoid rental costs at a fraction of the price of an all inclusive. Most vendors and venues can be found quickly and easily on the outside the box websites such as Peerspace, Eventective, Yelp, Google. Get creative with vendors such as someone who fits your vision and budget but isn’t the most popular expensive option. Eventective.com is a good place to start. Some less popular vendors can be found on Instagram in your area and Tiktok even has vendors showcasing what they do who are not “big names”. There is an idea that if they are not a “big name”, they are not qualified and that is not true at all. Big names tend to be very selective even if you have the money and they don’t want to work with your vision because it’s not “mainstream” or whatever whatever is popular.


Don’t be afraid to utilize grocery stores and wholesale markets in major cities. Grocery stores have in store florists and bakeries that are high quality and less expensive than a regular wedding vendor. They only require a week or so at most in advance compared to 6 months for a regular wedding vendor. Costco food court sells full size hot pizzas that can be ordered the day before and picked up by a staff member who you hire off thumbtack.com and not miss the wedding festivities. Major cities have wholesale shopping districts open to the public at cost and they don’t upcharge for a wedding. You can get floral arrangements, dresses, accessories and so on.
For other catering options, ask your local favorite casual restaurant you go to for date night to cater. Many have catering services post-Covid if they didn’t already before. If you have a favorite Chinese or Mexican restaurant, they can cook for a large crowd and it costs you less for the entire catering bill than the rental fee at a regular wedding venue, and you already know the food is good quality, whereas a wedding caterer, usually contracted by an all inclusive won’t let you sample anything until after you have signed the contract and locked yourself in to 6-7 figures for food alone.
The wedding industry has a specific tunnel vision and doesn’t want anyone to be creative at al. And during past generations, creativity and putting together a wedding in a few short months was commonplace with zero internet access to millions of vendors and ideas and without someone saying “it won’t be good enough” or “times have changed” but the basic concept hasn’t and there was less chaos in times past. Get help from parents (not via money donations) from parents who have experience planning a wedding in a few months at most without a hitch.

Chicago is a big metropolitan area with both independent and large scale vendors. You will have many professionals to choose from. Many couples plan weddings under 1 year. I took less than 6 months and had a grand wedding in a big city. I opted for small business, BIPOC vendors even. Best wishes.

You have perfect timing!