Planning a Garden Wedding in Six Months in the Twin Cities Area

So, the excitement of your engagement is still fresh, and you're thinking, "Why wait?" If you're dreaming of a wedding this year, even with a shorter timeline, you're not alone. Planning a wedding in six months or less can feel like a whirlwind, but it's absolutely possible – and can be a wonderfully intimate and focused experience. At Maidenwood Weddings and Events, we've seen many couples create beautiful, heartfelt outdoor celebrations in a short amount of time. We're here to share some practical tips and encouragement to help you in planning a garden wedding in six months. 

Why a Short Timeline Works:

• Less Stress, More Focus: A shorter engagement means less time for wedding planning stress to build.
• Embrace Spontaneity: You can create a wedding that's uniquely "you" without overthinking every detail.
• Enjoy the Moment: With a quick turnaround, you'll be celebrating your love before you know it!
• Get Married This Year! Maidenwood has select dates still available, allowing you to have your dream wedding, sooner rather than later.

There's something incredibly special about a wedding planned with a sense of urgency. It can bring a unique kind of focus to the process. You'll find yourself making decisions with confidence, trusting your instincts, and savoring each moment. Plus, there's the joy of knowing you'll be celebrating your love with your closest friends and family sooner rather than later.

 

Your Planning a Garden Wedding in Six Months Timeline: Maidenwood Edition

Month 6: Setting the Foundation

• Prioritize Your "Must-Haves": What are the most important elements to you? Focus on those first.
• Guest List & Budget: These two are intertwined. Start with a realistic budget and a draft guest list. Condensing your guest list can really amount to some big savings. 
• Venue Exploration: Finding the right venue is crucial. Consider venues like Maidenwood, where the natural beauty can minimize the need for extensive décor.

Month 5: Key Decisions & Vendor Bookings

• Secure Your Venue & Key Vendors: Book your venue. Once you have your venue and date, planning your wedding in six months is doable. Next it's photographer and caterer. We can help  you with this. We have 20 years of experience in weddings and have extensive vendor list who were LOVE working with. You'll want someone to be the point person for your day so you can enjoy it and not constantly be bombarded with questions so it makes a lot of sense to take advantage of our in-house Day-of Coordinator. Also, we have an amazing DJ who owns Maidenwood (Trustworthy Music) and all the music and lighting equipment is built-in so that is one less thing to find. 
• Wedding Party: Ask your loved ones to be a part of your day.
• Dress Shopping: Start trying on dresses. Many bridal shops can accommodate shorter timelines.
• Digital Save-the-Dates: Send out digital save-the-dates to give your guests a heads-up.

 

Month 4: The Details Begin

• Finalize Guest List: Get a firm headcount.
• Menu Tasting: Schedule a tasting with your caterer.
• Start to Consider what type of Bar you want: At Maidenwood we do not currently have a beverage minimum. We have a full liquor license and will have trained bartenders ready for your event. You can work with our venue manager to talk through all the seamless options we have already setup for you.
• Wedding Attire: Order suits and bridesmaid dresses.
• Ceremony Planning: Start working with your officiant on the ceremony.
• Choose your decorations: We can help you with vendor recommendations or simply lean in to Maidenwood's natural beauty - greenery, floral, and wood vibes can make decor-planning so much easier! We also have white ceiling draping and cafe lighting built-in to our White Barn and string lights install in our forest wedding site, The Pines. 

Month 3: Adding Personal Touches

• Wedding Rings: Choose your rings.
• Invitations: Send out your invitations.
• Reception Planning: Finalize the reception details, including music and décor.
• Cake Tasting & Order: Select your wedding cake. (or think outside the box and do Hanisch Bakery donuts or cookies, Stockholm Pies, or Nothing Bundt Cakes) instead of traditional cake.
• Hair and Makeup Trials: Schedule trials with your stylists.

Month 2: The Final Touches

• Vendor Confirmations: Confirm all details with your vendors.
• Favors and Gifts: Purchase gifts for your wedding party and guests.
• Final Dress Fitting: Ensure your dress fits perfectly.

Month 1: Relax and Enjoy

• Marriage License: Obtain your marriage license within 30 days of your wedding. 
• Final Guest Count & Seating Chart: Finalize your guest count and work with Maidenwood to verify seating chart. 
• Final Vendor Numbers: Provide final numbers to your vendors.
• Honeymoon Packing: Get ready for your honeymoon.
• Delegate Tasks: Enlist help from friends and family.
• Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner: Practice your ceremony and enjoy a pre-wedding celebration. 

Finding Your Peace in the Process:

Remember, the goal is to celebrate your love. Don't get caught up in the pressure of perfection. Focus on creating a day that feels authentic to you.

If you're looking for a venue that offers natural beauty, lots of extras already built-in, and a supportive team, we invite you to explore Maidenwood. We're happy to discuss how we can help you create a beautiful wedding, even on a shorter timeline.

Contact us to schedule a tour and discuss our available dates. Let's make your wedding dreams a reality this year!

 

Photos by: Leah Fontaine / Chickadee Photography / Devyn Lempke Photography / Bethany Jackson Photography / Jaimie Lauren Collective