Late to Book Your Wedding?
Don’t Panic — Start Here.
If you caught our last blog — The Ultimate Wedding Planning Timeline — you’ll know it was all about the long game. Sixteen months of gentle planning, spreadsheets, mood boards and slowly building the dream.
But what if time’s not on your side?
What if your engagement has just happened and you’re ready to go? Or plans have changed and suddenly it’s full steam ahead? Maybe you’ve simply decided you don’t want to wait any longer.
This blog’s for you.
Because although it might feel like everything’s booked up and you’re already behind, we promise — it’s absolutely still possible to plan a beautiful, stylish wedding on short notice. And it might even be the best decision you make.
First things first: it’s not too late
Yes, some venues are fully booked. But not all of them. And the best-kept secret? Some of the most gorgeous dates are still available — they’re just not sitting on page one of Google.
At Long Barn, we’ve got just two dates left for 2025 — both in September (arguably one of the most magical times of year here in Monmouthshire). And for couples ready to take the plunge, we’re offering a 10% discount on those final spaces.
So if you’ve been frantically searching “last-minute wedding venue UK” or “book a wedding fast”, take a breath. You’re in the right place.
Quick doesn’t mean chaotic
Planning a wedding quickly AND well is about knowing what matters and building around that. When time is short, you can lean into simplicity, beauty, and instinct. Bring it back to basics.
Find a venue where the backdrop is already doing a lot of the work for you. At Long Barn, the soaring beams, natural light and countryside setting speak for themselves (humble brag) — there’s no need to over-style or overthink. Our team ready to help you anyway we can and our trusted network local suppliers keeps it simple and easy to deliver without the faff.
Wedding Planning Basics: The Essentials
Budget: Set a realistic total budget and decide who’s contributing what.
Guest List: Start with a rough number — it affects everything else.
Venue: Book your ceremony and reception location and accommodation (ideally one that does all of the above).
Date: Choose a date (or shortlist a few) based on availability and season.
Legalities: Give notice, check marriage licence requirements, and sort paperwork.
Supplier Priorities: Book key suppliers asap — especially photographer, caterer, and entertainment.
Style & Theme: Decide on the overall vibe (formal, rustic, minimal, etc.).
Catering: Choose whether you want a formal meal, street food, buffet or something more casual.
Outfits: Find wedding attire that feels right and suits the season and venue.
Ceremony: Decide what type of ceremony you’ll have (civil, religious, celebrant-led).
Rings: Order wedding bands in good time.
Timeline: Draft a basic schedule for the day — ceremony, food, speeches, dancing.
Transport: Arrange how you, and guests if needed, will get to the venue.
Plan B: Especially for outdoor ceremonies, have a weather contingency.
Personal Touches: Think about readings, music, or meaningful details that reflect you.
Forget perfect — aim for meaningful
The truth? Your guests won’t notice whether your menu cards were letter pressed or laser-cut. What they’ll remember is how your day felt. The energy, the laughter, the moment you said your vows and the crowd roared.
A short planning window can be a blessing — it strips away the pressure to obsess over detail and brings you back to what it’s really all about.
Real advice for a fast-track wedding
Here are some less-obvious tips if you’re planning at pace:
Choose things that do more than one job. A band that covers both your ceremony and the dancefloor? Great. A florist who can also style the tables? Even better.
Limit your options. Don’t overwhelm yourself with twenty tabs and fifty photographers. Choose three of each and pick your favourite.
Keep your guest list lean. Fewer people means less admin, lower costs and more time to spend with those who matter most.
Be honest with suppliers. Let them know your timeline from the get-go. Most will go above and beyond to help if they know you’re working to a deadline.
And finally… trust yourself
Many of the couples who book with us last-minute tell us the same thing — it just felt right. The decision was fast, but the day itself was just as beautiful, relaxed and joy-filled as any wedding planned years in advance.
You don’t need 18 months to make it magical. You just need the right space, the right people, and a little bit of trust in your own instincts.
We’ve got two 2025 dates left — is one of them yours?
If you’re ready to go from ‘engaged’ to ‘married’ without the wait, we’d love to help. Our final two available Saturdays in 2025 — 6th and 27th September — are now 10% off.
To check availability, book a viewing or ask us your burning last-minute questions, just email us at longbarn@humblebynature.com
Click here for our wedding brochure…
Bookmark this guide or share it with a friend who’s just got engaged!
