When you are presented with the opportunity to plan a wedding in less than six months, do not shy away from the challenge. Most decisions will need to be made right away, but with the key details in place, like the venue and vendors, the other details can be planned using the formula outlined previously only compressed into six months.

Being a wedding planner is not an easy job. A wedding is a very stressful time for a couple. It is likely you were hired to shoulder some of this stress. While planning the event, keep in mind the individual tastes of the couple. The reward you feel once the journey has ended is the creation of a memorable wedding two people will remember for a lifetime.

Last-Minute Venues

The large banquet-style wedding palaces may have been booked for months, but with a little creativity you can still find fantastic locations for your couple. Suggest the following venues for last-minute nuptials:

• Restaurants or upscale bars

• Nightclubs

• Private dining rooms (for smaller weddings)

• Museums or galleries

• State parks or beaches

Wedding-Planning Shortcuts

When the planning needs to be cut short, these tips can help you get a head start on the event:

• Choose an alternate date. If a couple has a specific popular venue in mind, consider an alternate date if the venue has been booked. Thursday and Friday evening weddings are becoming increasingly popular, as well as Sunday afternoon receptions.

• Skip the ceremony. The couple may consider having a small civil ceremony with close friends and family instead of a religious wedding. This will lift the obligation from guests who may not be able to make it to the ceremony and reception.

• Suggest an abbreviated event. Rather than an all-day weekend affair, your couple may decide to shorten the duration of the wedding. A cocktail reception will pair well with a Thursday evening wedding.

• Keep it small. A wedding with forty guests has many more options than a wedding with two hundred. Weigh the options with your couple to determine if a large guest list can be shortened to fit a smaller venue.

• Get a jump on rentals. Many events require a planner to secure rentals two weeks prior, but a wedding is an exception. Weddings with shorter planning time require more persistence with rental companies, especially if tents or gazebos are on the list.