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How to Plan a Wedding Quickly: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated: Mar 22

Planning a wedding on a short timeline might seem daunting, but with the right approach and a supportive team, it can be an exciting and joyful experience. Whether you’ve decided to tie the knot in a few months or even a few weeks, a well-thought-out strategy can help you pull off your dream day seamlessly.


The first and most crucial step? Choosing the right venue. A wedding venue sets the tone for your event and plays a key role in streamlining the planning process. Let’s explore how to organize a beautiful wedding in a short time frame, starting with selecting the perfect venue.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Bride and groom smiling, walking down aisle under wooden arch with flowers. Guests applauding. Outdoor setting with trees in background.

Step 1: Choose the Right Wedding Venue


Selecting a venue that aligns with your vision, budget, and timeline is essential when planning quickly. A venue like The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms simplifies the process with its important included features, flexibility, and breathtaking spaces. Here’s how we can help:


Flexible Availability

Unlike venues that book years in advance, we offer availability for couples looking to plan weddings on shorter timelines. Whether you choose our Deluxe Full Weekend Package or the Create Your Own Package, we prioritize making your dream day happen within your schedule.


Inclusive Amenities

With access to tables, chairs, ceremony locations, and built-in décor elements, you save time sourcing rentals. You also have access to a climate-controlled barn that’s perfect for any season.


Expert Guidance

Our online wedding planner provides a step-by-step framework to organize your wedding efficiently. From table layouts to a wedding day schedule, it keeps every detail in check.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Wooden barn with a metal roof, symmetrical design, and sky background. Two small trees and greenery flank the entrance, creating a rustic feel.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Rustic wooden barn interior set for an event, featuring long tables with floral runners. "Mr. & Mrs." sign visible, warm lighting.

Step 2: Define Your Wedding Vision


When time is limited, it’s essential to clarify your wedding style and priorities early. Are you dreaming of a cozy rustic celebration or a romantic garden vibe? Knowing your vision will help guide decisions and cut down on time spent exploring unnecessary options.


Quick Tips to Define Your Style:


  • Browse online platforms like Pinterest for inspiration.

  • Choose a color palette that complements your venue.

  • Focus on 2-3 key elements you want to prioritize (e.g., food, photography, or décor).


Central Ohio wedding venue. Bar with a white sign listing "Signature Drinks" including "Old Fashioned" and "Lavender Lemonade Martini". Two drinks and greenery adorn the counter.

Step 3: Book Key Vendors Early


Once you’ve secured your venue, lock in essential vendors immediately. The most sought-after vendors, like photographers, caterers, and florists, may have limited availability on short notice, so act fast.


How The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms Simplifies Vendor Selection


Open Vendor Policy: You can bring your preferred licensed vendors or choose from our recommendations.

Convenient On-Site Features: With a spacious catering kitchen, built-in bar, and ample parking, your vendors will have everything they need to deliver exceptional service.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Delicate purple, orange, and peach flowers in glass vases with candlelight glow in soft-focus background, creating a serene mood.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Jewelry display on a table with gold necklaces on stands. Black velvet bust with pearl necklace. Elegant and refined setting.

Step 4: Simplify Your Guest List


Keeping your guest list smaller can save time and reduce logistical challenges. A more intimate gathering also creates a cozy, meaningful atmosphere that aligns beautifully with the rustic charm of The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms.


Tips for Managing Your Guest List:


  • Prioritize immediate family and close friends.

  • Use digital RSVPs to speed up the response process.

  • Communicate clearly about your short timeline to manage expectations.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Wedding invitation on beige table, rings in wooden heart, necklace, floral bouquet. Invitation reads "brittany and oakley, Nov 16".

Step 5: Embrace Simple Décor Solutions


When planning quickly, focus on décor that’s easy to execute but still impactful. A rustic barn venue already offers a stunning backdrop, so you don’t need to go overboard. We also have a decor closet with many pieces that you can use for free, saving time and money!


Rustic Décor Ideas That Save Time:


  • Use our included high-end wood farm tables—no need for linens!

  • Incorporate seasonal flowers or greenery for simple centerpieces.

  • String fairy lights or use candles for soft, romantic lighting.

  • Utilize existing features like our sandstone terrace and towering fireplace to create natural photo backdrops.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Wedding table with white candles, greenery, baby's breath in jars on a striped runner. "Reserved" sign visible. Warm, rustic setting.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Bride holding a vibrant bouquet of multicolored flowers. Tattooed arm visible. Outdoor setting with stone and water in the background.

Step 6: Choose a Short Timeline-Friendly Attire


Finding the perfect wedding attire on a short timeline requires some flexibility. Consider ready-to-wear options, off-the-rack gowns, or sample sales for your dress. For the groom, opt for suit rentals or easily customizable options.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Colorful dresses hang on a rustic wooden rack with cowboy boots below. The setting has a cozy, vintage vibe with wooden accents.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Cozy attic room with a tufted sofa, round coffee table topped with flowers, and a large mirror. Warm lighting and wooden walls.

Step 7: Streamline Your Wedding Day Schedule


A clear wedding day schedule ensures everything runs smoothly, even on short notice. Use our online wedding planner to create a timeline that includes every key moment, from getting ready to the grand exit.


Sample Wedding Day Timeline:


  • 9:00 AM – Venue access (if using the Create Your Own Package).

  • 10:00 AM – Hair and makeup for the bridal party.

  • 1:00 PM – Final décor touches and vendor setup.

  • 3:00 PM – First look photos.

  • 4:30 PM – Ceremony on the sandstone terrace.

  • 5:00 PM – Cocktail hour by the firepit.

  • 6:00 PM – Dinner in the main barn.

  • 8:00 PM – Dancing and dessert.

  • 10:00 PM – Event concludes.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Woman in white dress joyfully dances with friends at a party. Dimly lit room with warm lights and a decorated tree in the background.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Two cows behind a wooden fence in a sunny field. One cow licks a salt lick. Person in a red jacket visible in the foreground.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Woman fixing bride's hair with spray in rustic wooden room. Bride in elegant dress, stylist holds can marked "OSIS." Calm atmosphere.

Step 8: Communicate Clearly with Guests


With a shorter planning timeline, communication is crucial to ensure your guests are informed and prepared.


Quick Communication Tips:


  • Send digital invitations to save time on printing and mailing.

  • Create a wedding website to share details like directions, attire, and the schedule.

  • Include RSVP deadlines that give you enough time to finalize catering and seating arrangements.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Rustic dining room with wooden tables and chairs, exposed beams, and ambient lighting. Large windows overlook greenery. Cozy atmosphere.

Step 9: Plan Meaningful Personal Touches


Even with a short timeline, you can add meaningful elements that make your wedding uniquely yours.


Ideas for Personalization:


  • Share your love story through custom signage or photos displayed on our barn walls.

  • Write personal vows to exchange during the ceremony.

  • Include cultural or family traditions in your celebration.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Bride and groom walk in a sunny pasture with cows, holding hands and bouquets. She wears a white dress and hat, he in jeans and jacket.

Central Ohio wedding venue. Table with decor and gifts in a rustic room. Lamp, flowers, and a sign reading "Cheers! Find your photo" on the table. Wrapped presents below.

Step 10: Stay Organized and Delegate


Organization is key to planning a wedding quickly. Use tools like our online wedding planner to keep track of your to-do list, packing list, guest seating, and more. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to family or friends to lighten your load.


Central Ohio wedding venue. Eight men pose together in a room with wooden walls. Most wear beige jackets and jeans, two holding drinks. The mood is cheerful.

Central Ohio wedding venue. A bride and groom stand by a wooden fence, overlooking a field with cows. It's a calm, rural setting under a clear sky.

Let us help you create a wedding that feels thoughtful, beautiful, and unforgettable—no matter the timeline. Schedule a tour today and discover how we can make your dream wedding a reality!


 

Thank you for stopping by our blog! We hope that you will consider hiring a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience, they tend to have little to no turnover, they support the local economy and they are part of the community. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues, we will feature six small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on




 
 
 

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