Although many brides and grooms take up to a year and a half to organize their weddings, other couples want to make it snappy. “I'm getting more and more calls from brides who would like to get married in a couple of months,” says event planner Julie Pryor of Pryor Events in Los Angeles. There are plenty of reasons for having a wedding in a hurry. from a job change or military deployment to just plain eagerness to tie the knot. Here, some pros' tips to ensure that, even with fast-and-furious planning, your wedding goes off without a hitch.

1. Make the first month count

Wedding timelines usually start a year before the big day. So what's a bride to do when she's just six months out (or less)? “First, set your budget and make all your major decisions and purchases,” recommends Christine Paul of Christine Paul Events in New York City. “That means booking your ceremony and reception sites, purchasing or ordering your gown and the bridesmaids' dresses, hiring a photographer and deciding on the honeymoon.”

You'll also want to sit down with your fiancé and set your priorities. For example, your top three might be great jazz music, authentic Italian food and a first-rate photographer. “Once you've done all that, you'll be right on track with brides who've been at it for months,” says Paul.

2. Be flexible and creative

You may find that some of your first choices aren't available. For example, many popular wedding locations are reserved a year in advance. So learn to be flexible; a fabulous venue could be a place you haven't yet imagined. “Instead of the more obvious choices, perhaps a friend has a beautiful beach house, or you could get married in a local park,” says Paul. Open your mind to different dates and times as well. Sometimes it's easier to find a place for a Friday or Sunday. or earlier in the day. The better able you are to come up with creative alternatives, the happier you'll be with the end result.

3. Ask for help

Event planners may be hired to do the entire wedding, or simply to handle a few tasks you can't fit in or even just to manage things on the big day itself. Researching vendors to learn who's right for the job is time consuming, and a good wedding planner with a network of reliable vendors can figure out the logistics quickly and easily.

4. Enjoy Yourself!

Remember to take time to soak it all in. Sure, you'll be in a hurry, but taste-testing dishes and listening to bands is still fun. Luckily, you're already on top of this. “Brides who've gotten their weddings together in six months or less have told me they enjoyed the process,” says Paul. “They had less time to stress out and found the preparations surprisingly exciting.”

HINT: Enlist the help of friends. Give them jobs they'll feel comfortable doing, like managing the RSVP list. You''ll be glad you did.

The Great Outdoors

From Left: These outdoor essentials will make a a cool wedding gift for any adventurous family. Year-round two-person tent by Black Diamond. Rechargeable retro-style lantern by Coleman. Hiking backpack by L.L. Bean. Eureka's "mummy bags" for women, designed with extra room through the hip area and more insulation around the chest and feet. Women's hiking shoes by The North Face. Pocket-size binoculars by Vortex Optics. Cast-iron Sportsman Grill by Lodge. Blanket from Wrapables.

Home Work

These are what we like to call creative wedding gifts. For some help around the house, consider these useful items: A 24" level (top) with gripping pads and attached 9" level/stud sensor; flashlight and screwdriver/drill/saw (front); and interchangeable lithium battery with charger (right), all by Black & Decker. To measure space for a new couch, try Sears/Craftsman's laser measure (far left)-it's amazingly accurate. Freshen up any room's walls with Glidden paint. Artistic Tile's bulls-eye-patterned Brazilian slate tiles with metallic leafing dress up a backsplash or a guest bathroom. Nafco engineered-wood floorboards (used as surface and stacked).

Special Delivery

Sometimes it turns out the unusal wedding gift is the one we find ourselves unable to live without. Imagine getting some of your favorite treats delivered to your doorstep every month. From left: TheRoastedBean.com will customize and send you a selection of brews-anything from Kenya classic to just about any flavor you fancy. The California Wine Club features Handley Cellars and Gainey Vineyard, among many more, in their wine-of-the-month clubs. And don't forget to say cheese! Three wedges of artisanal varieties are yours to savor when you sign up for Artisanal Premium Cheese's monthly program. Cheeseboard from Crate & Barrel.

Spa Service

Every woman knows the truly special wedding gifts are the ones that soothe the soul. With these special wedding gifts your home can be your personal sanctuary. In basket, from left: Waffle-weave hotel wrap by Chris Madden for JCPenney. Gift certificate from Bliss Spa. Superplush white robe and blue throw (under basket), both by BareFoot Dreams. Luxe terry slippers for guys and girls by Frette. Silk eye mask from Wrapables. Three-wick candle and tropical floral-scented fragrance diffuser by India Hicks and sea sponge, all from Crabtree & Evelyn. Basket by Target.

Sporty Spice

For an appropriate wedding gift, head for the sports aisle, it's time for play. From left: Set of clubs stored in a pink bag, by Hippo. The handle on this women's racquet (center) is lighter than the men's racquet in back, which is designed to augment swing power, both by Head. Bag by Ame and Lulu. Golfing gloves: the men's is by FootJoy; the women's, by LadyClassic, allows your ring to peek out. Cleveland's wedge offers better ball contact; Odyssey's putter has a lightweight feel. Monogrammed balls by Smart Play.

Photography: Alexandra Grablewski.