How long do you need to plan a micro wedding?

Short answer

You can plan a micro wedding in about three to four months, but six months gives you more choice. The legal notice period alone is 28 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 29 days in Scotland.

The fastest legal route depends on where you live. In England and Wales, you must give notice at your local register office at least 28 full days before the ceremony. In Northern Ireland, it is also 28 days. In Scotland, you submit a marriage notice at least 29 days before, though registrars advise giving 10 to 12 weeks. Your notice is valid for 12 months in England and Wales, so you have a full year to hold the ceremony.

For a micro wedding, the main planning tasks are the venue, the registrar or celebrant, the witnesses, and the celebration meal. You can often book a small venue with a few weeks' notice, especially on a weekday. If you want a popular venue or a Saturday date, book earlier. Six months is a comfortable timeframe that lets you compare venues, sort out outfits, and send simple invitations without stress.

If you are having a religious ceremony, check with your place of worship about banns, a licence, or any waiting period. For a humanist ceremony in England and Wales, remember it is not legally binding on its own, so you may need a civil ceremony too. Allow extra time for that. The key is to start with the legal notice, because everything else can fit around it.