Let’s start with the big question: can you plan a wedding in under 6 months and still have it feel relaxed, beautiful and you? Yes! We’ve seen it done beautifully before.
If you don’t love planning, feeling stressed about the day or are impatient to get to your wedding day (no judgement here), then why spend 18 months planning your wedding like most couples do? Why be average?
In 2026, around 19% of couples are planning their wedding in just 6 months. Here’s why we know you want to be a part of the 19% club:
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- No years on Pinterest changing your wedding colour scheme 3 times
- No opinion overload from family (there’s no time for that)
- No overbuying or overspending
If you’re dreaming of a summer 2026 wedding in Herefordshire and you want the fun parts, without the planning hangover, keep reading because this is for YOU.
Why short engagements are overlooked
Six months is still plenty of time to curate a beautiful and meaningful wedding – so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
When you have a shorter deadline you are naturally more focused on the things that matter most. You stop adding things to your to-do list, prioritise the areas that need to be booked and you don’t have a year to scroll through Tiktok and get persuaded to have a wedding that’s ‘trending’ and not really YOU.
You will also be amazed how much easier it is to stick to a budget when you don’t have 18 months to keep ‘adding to basket’.
What to do first if you want to plan a wedding in under 6 months
Here is what to focus on this month.
1) First things first, breathe
Before you message a single supplier or tell a soul, take one evening as a couple and get clear on your non-negotiables.
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- What do you want your day to feel like?
- What do you care about most: food, music, photos, the party, the setting, the guest experience?
- What do you NOT want?
This becomes your filter for every decision afterwards.
2) Draft your guest list
Your guest count impacts everything from the size of the venue, the layout, the bar, the seating and the budget.
Do a first draft together and keep it realistic. You can tweak later, but you need a working number now.
3) Send your ‘Save the Date’
Give your guest the heads up for your wedding date and venue as soon as you can so they can plan their own travel arrangements. Then send your invitations around two months later (if you’re thinking invites? A website is quicker, more cost effective and eco).
4) Write your supplier wish list
A tipi wedding has a few key suppliers that shape the whole day. You want to lock these in early.
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- Caterers
- Photographer / videographer
- Band /DJ
- Celebrant (if you are doing a ceremony on site)
Check out our recommended suppliers list as a starting point, ask friends and of course call in favours where you can!
If you are getting married at our Herefordshire wedding venue, working with local suppliers who know the area and our venue makes things 1000% easier. They will offer expert advice that is worth their weight in gold.
4) Pick your planning system and stick to it
You do not need fancy, expensive planning tools. You need a way to stay organised that works for you, it could be as simple as:
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- a wedding planning notebook (Martha Brook does a lovely one if you’re a pen and paper sort of girl)
- a Google Sheet
- a free planning app – such as Hitched.
Then keep everything in one place so you can easily find supplier quotes, deposits, and payment details along with contact details, timelines and deadlines.
5) Set your budget and track it properly
Please, please don’t just pick a number and hope it will work. After getting quotes from suppliers you will be able to see what things cost and where you need to allocate your budget to be able to make your wedding work. Are you covering all the costs/are family contributing?
As a starting point allocate budget to each of these areas:
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- venue
- catering
- photography
- dress/suits
- flowers
- entertainment
- transport
- accommodation
- honeymoon/mini moon
- ceremony
- contingency (yes, you need one)
6) Build a Pinterest board
Pinterest is great…until it becomes a black hole. So have fun with it but don’t expect your wedding day to look ‘exactly’ like the Pins you see on there. Use it for inspiration and ideas but keep it real and true to you.
This Pinterest board can then be shared with your florist/stylist so they can translate the colours and style you like into something realistic, seasonal and within budget. Be prepared to compromise.
7) Research, buy or hire outfits
Most new wedding dresses take 9 months to arrive from the date of order, so your next best option is to go eco-friendly and buy second-hand or vintage, look for ready-to-wear off the peg dresses or sample sale outfits. These are all brilliant options and you will still look incredible! I know some of our brides have got their dress from Bridal Reloved.
For suits – again you don’t have to buy them new and a lot of couples opt for suit hire which can easily work within your six month planning timeframe.
Why tipi weddings actually work brilliantly on a short timeline
A tipi wedding is one of the easiest wedding venue styles to pull together quickly, because the vibe is already built in.
Who doesn’t love a fairy light, the natural timber, the cosy vibe and stunning views (if we do say so ourselves) over the Orchard – you can keep styling simple and still have the unique experience for you and your guests.
If you are choosing a Herefordshire wedding venue like The Orchard at Munsley, you are also getting a countryside backdrop that’s perfect for photos, outdoor drinks reception and that off-grid, relaxed feeling.
A quick note on the weather (us Brits are obsessed)
It would not be a British wedding without a quick check of the forecast.
Tipi weddings are always so much fun whatever the weather decides to do and on the day itself you won’t even notice what it’s doing out there. Some of the best parties have been rainy as it keeps everyone together inside the tipis and the atmosphere is next level.
We have a covered ceremony area for rain or shine and a separate cosy, chill out tent for added shelter. We always go through a Plan B with you, so we’ve got you covered.
We’ve made your 6-month wedding planning checklist you can download and use today
To make planning your 2026 wedding even easier, we have put together a 6-month tipi wedding planning checklist you can download and use straight away.
If you want, you can also email it to yourself and share it with your partner, your mum, your besties…whoever is in the group chat.
If you want to chat dates, availability, or what a wedding at The Orchard at Munsley can look like, get in touch with us today!
