Although the average couple takes 14 months to plan their nuptials, a wedding — a fun and stylish one at that — can be planned in less than a year. Don’t think that’s possible? Think again. An increasing amount of brides and grooms are doing it and the W Austin “Why Wait?” package is a prime example of how. The Why What? package is available for weddings booked and consumed before December 31, 2014. It includes a three-course meal, two passed hor d’oeuvres, rental set-up charges, one night stay in the honeymoon suite (and more) for up to 100 guests for just under $10,000. Triple B tapped Kristin Crawford (Director of Catering & Events Management at W Austin) and Lisa Pritchett (Catering Manager for Weddings at W Austin) to get expert tips on how any couple can realistically plan a wedding anywhere in six months or less.

Black Bridal Bliss: What are the three most common mistakes couples make when planning their wedding in 3-6 months?
W Austin: 1. Not determining their budget. Sometimes couples think things will be less expensive due to the short booking time frame, but for many vendors, that is not the case.
2. Not hiring a wedding planner. It may be a short amount of time, but they are doing more things in such a small window and it can get overwhelming where the couple doesn’t get the chance to enjoy planning their wedding.
3. Cutting corners. Just because you have a shorter time frame doesn’t mean the details are not still important.
BBB: What are three things couples should do when planning a wedding in less than 6 months?
WA: 1. Hire a wedding planner. It will alleviate so much stress.
2. Have your wedding at a hotel [or catering hall/country club]. You have to deal with less vendors. It may seem expensive initially, but when you factor all of the items it comes with and the deliveries you don’t have to pay for, it will be worth it.
3. If you must have an evening wedding, be flexible with a Friday or Sunday as most Saturdays can be booked farther out and may not be available.
BBB: Are there cities where pulling off a short-term engagement is more challenging?
WA: The bigger the city, the easier it can be to plan a short term wedding as you would have more options. Smaller destination locations can be more difficult as there aren’t as many vendors or locations to choose from.
BBB: Is planning a wedding in 6 months or less easier in a destination location as oppose to one’s own hometown?
WA: It depends on where the destination city is. Planning a wedding 60 miles away in a vineyard where you have to bring in everything can be more difficult than planning a turnkey wedding at a hotel 200 miles away.
BBB: What are some perks to getting hitched in Austin?
WA: There are so many types of “Texas” in Austin. You have the Hill Country, the Lakes, Downtown, Wine Country. Everything is pretty centrally located, you can get away to the Hill Country or be downtown in a matter of 20 minutes. There’s a vibrant culinary scene focused on quality and sustainability of food. Plus, there’s live music any night of the week. You can have a totally different experience from your cowboy boot rehearsal dinner, to your formal black tie wedding reception. Austin can accommodate everyone!

How long do you plan to be engaged before jumping the broom? Already hitched? How long did it take you to plan your wedding?

Get tips on planning a budget-friendly wedding in NYC here!

If you or someone you know books a Why Wait? package at W Austin, be sure to mention BlackBridalBliss.com sent ya.