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How to plan a wedding in three months, with week-by-week priorities, what to book in the first fortnight, what to simplify, and when to send invitations.
You can plan a wedding in three months if you make every big decision in the first two weeks: budget, guest count, venue and date in week one, officiant, caterer and photographer in week two. Check your marriage license rules immediately, send invitations by week five or six, and keep the rest simple. A smaller guest list and a venue that provides food, furniture and staff do more to make three months workable than anything else.
Decide fast, and once. Set a deadline for each decision and take the first option that meets your needs. Book one-stop venues. A restaurant, hotel or venue with in-house catering replaces several bookings. Keep the guest list short. Every guest adds addresses, replies and seats. See how to cut your wedding guest list, or consider a micro wedding. Go digital where you can. A wedding website and emailed save-the-date replace weeks of printing and posting. Check the legal side on day one. FindLaw notes that many US states have a waiting period after you apply and that licenses are only valid for a set time, which varies by state. Religious ceremonies can have their own preparation requirements too, so ask early.
Plan a wedding in 12 weeks: 12, Budget, guest count, venue shortlist, license rules; 11, Book venue and date, officiant; 10, Caterer, photographer, music; 9, Guest list, website, digital save-the-date; 8, Attire, invitations ordered; 7, Florist, hair and makeup, rentals; 6, Mail invitations; 5, Ceremony plan, rings, cake; 4, Fittings, timeline draft, music list; 3, Marriage license (within your area's valid window); 2, RSVPs chased, final numbers, seating chart; 1, Vendor confirmations, rehearsal, rest.
On three months, skip anything that needs a long lead time or a lot of your attention: custom stationery, favours, elaborate décor, a separate welcome event. Most guests remember the food, the company and whether they knew where to sit. How to deal with wedding planning stress has more on keeping it manageable, and the 6-month timeline shows what you'd add with more time.
Yes, especially with a smaller guest list and a flexible date. The venue and the vendors who only take one wedding a day need booking in the first two weeks.
Around six weeks before, which is within the usual six-to-eight-week window for a local wedding. Send a digital save-the-date as soon as the venue is booked.
Finding a venue and key vendors free on your date. Weekday, Sunday and off-season dates are much easier to get at short notice.
Not necessarily, but a planner or venue coordinator with local contacts can save time. See how much a wedding planner costs.
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