Whirlwind weddings: why wait to plan your big day?

Amy Braund, wedding and events manager, The Bingham, advises on planning a London wedding, last-minute...

With Harry and Meghan inspiring the nation with their romantic nuptials, at The Bingham, we've seen a noticeable increase in the number of couples choosing to book and plan their wedding in a whirlwind.

Planning a wedding within a short time frame is not easy. From the venue to the catering, there’s a lot to think about. But it can be done. We’ve seen couples plan their weddings in just 30 days! Here’s how …

1) Don’t panic

As we mentioned, planning a wedding in a whirlwind is not easy, yet planning a wedding within a year isn’t either. You just need to be that little bit more organised and decisive. There’s less time to shop around and you won’t be able to spend a few days or weeks pondering over which flower arrangements you prefer. Decisions need to be made, and quickly. This shouldn’t fill you with fear or dread. You will love planning your wedding in a hurry just as much as you would if you had another 12-months to go.

2) Check availability straight away

If you have a venue in mind, then check its availability straight away. While you are at it, make sure you check the availability of the registrar, too. Once you know you have both, book them and don’t delay. Popular venues can be booked up months in advance, so move quickly if you want to secure that dream setting for your big day. We are firm believers that once a date is set and a venue is booked, everything else will fall into place.

3) Have an idea of what you like

For most couples, knowing what they like and don’t like can be difficult. When you only have a few months to plan a wedding, it’s worth having an idea in mind so that it can be turned around in enough time. Brief your venue on what kind of food and drink you would prefer, what flowers you like and what your ideal entertainment would be. Doing this right away gives them enough time to liaise with their suppliers to check availability and get a quote. If you like something, for example, a table decoration or certain type of flower, then book it. There’s little time for being indecisive when planning a wedding quickly.

4) Send out the invitations

Once you've got a venue and a date sorted, there's no reason to stall on sending out your invitations. The sooner these are sent; the sooner people can start pencilling the date into their diaries. This is especially important for guests travelling from afar. They will want to book time off work or organise accommodation at their earliest convenience.

5) Get moving on the other things

While the venue is seamlessly organising the ‘ins and outs’ of your big day, it’s vital that you get moving on the other key elements that make your wedding special. Yep, we're talking about that perfect wedding dress. The earlier, the better to allow time for alterations. If your other half needs help, give him a hand to get him and his groomsmen suited and booted. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed (and don’t worry, it's natural) then lean on friends and family for help. Delegate tasks, seek advice and ask for a second opinion if you need it. Getting more people involved will help take the stress off you. Wedding planning is lots fun, especially when supported by friends, family and a trusted wedding planner.

6) Last but not least, enjoy!

Organising one of the biggest days of your life can be stressful, no matter how much time you have to plan. It’s important not to forget why you're doing all this. Weddings are happy occasions filled with joy. They're a chance for you and your fiancé to celebrate your love for each other and it’s a day that many will look forward to celebrating with you. So remember, whether you are getting married in a year or in two months’ time, just enjoy it!

If you and your fiancé simply can't wait to tie the knot, The Bingham is running a special ‘Summer Whirlwind Wedding’ package at £99 per person. This includes the use of its Garden Rooms, terrace and garden, Prosecco on arrival, a stunning three course wedding breakfast with sommelier-selected wine, and place cards, menus and a table plan. The package includes support from The Bingham’s in-house wedding planner and a Master of Ceremonies for the big day. Dates are available until 30th September, 2018.

For more information, please contact Amy Braund, Wedding and Events Manager at The Bingham on 020 8940 0902 or visit https://www.thebingham.co.uk/.