Planning a wedding is a challenge at any point, but it can be especially difficult on short notice. While many people take years to plan the perfect wedding, it’s possible to do it in just a matter of weeks with dedication and organization.
Here, we’re going to go over how you can plan your perfect wedding in three months, from sending out your “Save the Date” invites to the last dance at your reception. While planning a wedding on short notice isn’t always easy, you can still plan a truly unforgettable event in a matter of months.
Three Months Out
Even though it doesn’t seem like much time, at three months out, you have plenty of opportunities to reach out to the people who can make your wedding work. The first step to any successful ceremony is organizing the setup for the big day.
Plan Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party should be comprised of the people you love most in the world. Brothers, sisters, best friends, and more are the ones that can make a wedding truly special. It’s important for both brides and grooms to handpick their bridesmaids and groomsmen, along with Maid of Honor and Best Man.
It’s a good idea to choose your wedding party early on, as they can help you to plan and carry out the main event. Many married couples rely heavily on their Best Man and Maid of Honor to keep things running smoothly before, during, and after their wedding day.
Choosing your wedding party early on is also important for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. It gives them more time to prepare, and if necessary, save up for the event. What’s more, it gives you time to find coordinating outfits that will complement your wedding attire.
Create a Guest List
In addition to your bridal party, you should also consider which other guests you’d like to invite as early as possible. It can be a challenge to narrow down your guest list, but most of us simply don’t have the space or the budget to invite everybody to our wedding.
Start by figuring out how many people both sides of the wedding can reasonably invite. In some cases, one party may have a larger family or more friends living nearby to invite, but in general, it’s best to try and keep things even. Don’t forget to include a “plus one” for any guests that are single or dating.
Once you have your guest list finalized, you can begin to plan for the bigger picture. Knowing about how many guests to expect is necessary for gather addresses for invites, planning a seating chart, ordering food and drink, and more.
Save the Date
No matter how perfect your wedding might be, people won’t be able to attend if they’re not given proper notice. Even if you’re planning a wedding on short notice, you should tell your loved ones about the ceremony well before the event.
One of the best ways to do this is with a “Save the Date” notification. While this isn’t a formal invitation, it lets your guests know that they may have to reserve this date. Sending out a notification is not only respectful but can help to ensure that your guests don’t make alternate plans on the day of your wedding. You can mail out a traditional letter, though more and more couples are opting for text or email. Not only is this a quick and convenient option, but it can also double as a digital reminder for your guests.
Make Bookings
As anyone who’s ever planned a wedding knows, one of the most challenging and often tedious parts is booking the many services necessary to make an unforgettable wedding happen. However, by hiring professionals to ensure everything goes smoothly, you give yourself and your spouse a chance to enjoy your big day without stressing over small hiccups.
If possible, you should try to get written confirmation of each booking. You can do this either via email or by drawing up and signing paperwork. Either way, it’s best for both parties to have a written record of any agreements, including services rendered and dues owed. This way, you can avoid any financial disputes after everything is all said and done. There are several different services that every engaged couple should look into booking for their wedding day.
Venue
One of the most important bookings that any couple makes for their wedding is the venue. Your venue determines factors such as how many guests you can invite, the dress code, and even the type of celebrant that you hire.
Many couples choose to get married according to their religious beliefs in a church, synagogue, mosque, or other temple. Others, however, opt for a more secular ceremony. No matter what type of venue you choose, you should shop around to find a spot that will suit your unique needs and budget constraints. You should also look for a venue as early on in the planning process as possible because popular locations tend to book up quickly.
Accommodation
For most couples, not everybody who attends their wedding lives locally. You may invite old friends and close family members from out of state or out of the country to come and share your big day with you.
Since most newlyweds don’t want to deal with a bunch of house guests during their wedding, it’s a good idea to book accommodations near your wedding venue for those who need to stay overnight. Most couples reserve entire hotel room blocks, allowing their guests to check in and out as needed. Many hotels offer group rates so that your out-of-state guests get the best deal possible.
If you’re reserving accommodations nearby, don’t forget to include the hotel’s name and address on your Save the Date card. This gives guests the chance to look at prices and secure a booking as early as they want.
Celebrant or Officiant
To hold a proper wedding ceremony, you need a celebrant or officiant to oversee the proceedings. A celebrant is someone who performs and officiates the wedding ceremony, often a religious official such as a priest or a rabbi. However, you can also find secular officiants. Some people even enlist the help of friends or family to oversee their wedding ceremony.
Caterer
Every good wedding needs plenty of food for guests to snack on. While you can try providing your own food or hosting a potluck reception, many couples instead opt for the ease of a professional caterer.
You can find dedicated wedding caterers that know how to cook and coordinate delicious meals for a large group of people. Most even encourage couples to go to a tasting and see if they approve of the food. It’s a good idea to try out a few different caterers to make sure you find the perfect one to suit your tastes.
Often, wedding caterers will offer a small selection of dishes for guests to choose from. You can help to set up this menu to ensure that all of your guests will have something to eat. Most caterers will offer at least one meat and one vegetarian option, though others offer specialty choices such as vegan dishes, gluten-free foods, seafood, and more.
Photographer or Videographer
While a photographer isn’t necessarily required for a wedding, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional. There’s no guarantee that the photos guests take on their phones will do the ceremony justice. What’s more, professional photographers know how to touch up photos to have them looking their very best.
It’s best to look for wedding-oriented services that are able to show off a large and impressive portfolio. Check on their website or ask in person for examples of their previous work. You can also ask for references from friends, family, and even coworkers who have recently gotten married.
While a professional photographer might be expensive, most couples find it well worth the price to preserve the memory of one of the biggest days of their lives. Some also opt to hire a videographer. Doing this gives them a digital recording of the ceremony that they can watch again and again for years down the road.
Entertainment
After the ceremony is over, it’s time for guests to mingle and enjoy themselves. Most couples hire a band or a DJ so that guests can dance once dinner is over. Music also makes it possible to host the traditional dance between father and bride, and the first dance between spouses as an officially married couple.
In addition to music and dancing, most weddings also feature an open bar for guests. While this can be an expensive addition to your wedding, many guests appreciate a couple of glasses of wine as they get to know each other. After a long wedding day, many brides and grooms also appreciate a quick pick-me-up.
Florist
If you plan to decorate your wedding venue with floral arrangements, you may want to consider hiring a professional instead of trying to do it yourself. A florist will have easy access to flowers of all varieties and know-how to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind bouquets. You should pick out your florist early on to give yourself time to go over color schemes, floral options, and costs.
Stylist
In addition to making sure your venue looks perfect for the big day, you should also plan out your own look ahead of time as well. It can be challenging to find a stylist who is able to take your vision and turn it into reality, and so the earlier you start looking, the better. If you already have a favorite stylist for your everyday look, talk to them before your wedding and book any necessary appointments to get yourself looking your best before the big day.
Transportation
If you want to leave your wedding in style, you should book a transportation company to take you from the venue to your hotel room or, if you’re leaving straight for your honeymoon, to the airport. Many couples opt for an iconic limo to take them away in luxury. However, you can also find cheaper options, such as high-end rideshares and cab services.
Wedding Cake
No wedding is complete without the cutting of the wedding cake. Most caterers only provide meals for your event, and so you have to look for a separate baking service to order your cake. You don’t necessarily have to look for a niche baking service. Many traditional bakeries also offer to make wedding cakes, though they may be limited in the scope of their designs.
While many couples tend to concentrate on the look of their wedding cake, the taste is also important. Before committing to a booking, you can schedule a tasting with different bakeries to make sure that you’re completely happy with your cake.
Book Your Honeymoon
When planning a wedding, in all of the hubbub, it can be easy to forget what comes afterward. Many couples look forward to their honeymoon even more than their wedding. It’s a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, giving you the chance to get some alone time and connect with your spouse.
It’s best to book your honeymoon well in advance to save yourself time, money, and frustration. Even just three months out, you’ll find better flight and hotel deals than if you end up booking last minute.
It’s especially important to book your honeymoon as early as possible if you plan on visiting a different country. You may need to arrange to get passports or travel visas, which can take weeks to months to arrive. Some countries also require visitors to get certain vaccinations up to a few months ahead of their travel dates.
Find Your Wedding Dress
Buying a wedding dress is another thing that shouldn’t be left until the last minute. Some brides spend weeks visiting different shops in the hopes of finding the perfect dress. If you’re planning a wedding for three months out, you should start booking fittings with local dress stores as soon as possible.
You don’t necessarily have to buy your wedding gown at a specialty boutique. While this sort of shop might have the best selection, they also tend to mark up their prices. You can also shop for wedding dresses online, in thrift stores, or through swap meets. Some women even shop for their wedding dress in the prom section of their local department store.
While it’s a good idea to secure your wedding dress early on, remember that you may change sizes in the time between the purchase and your wedding. You should have a dressmaker lined up ahead of time just in case you need to make last-minute alterations.
Two Months Out
As your wedding draws closer, you should have most of the groundwork laid out. Now is the time to cement your plans. This stage involves plenty of checking and double-checking details such as vendor agreements, guest lists, and more.
Send Out Invites
Even if you’ve already sent out your “Save the Date” notifications, you still need to send official invites to the people on your guest list. This allows you to get official RSVPs, including meal preferences and plus ones. With this information, you can tell your caterers exactly how much food you need and update your seating plan. You should try to send invites at least two months out to give guests plenty of time to respond.
There are a couple of pieces of information that you should make sure to include on your wedding invite. Obviously, guests need to know the date, the time, and the location of the wedding. You should also let them know any dress code requirements.
A directions and accommodations card should give them a map to both the venue and the lodgings that you’ve reserved, while a reception card gives guests all the information that they need to know about after the wedding ceremony. If the wedding is a multi-day affair, you should also include a brief itinerary. A response card lets guests formally RSVP to your invite.
Test Out Your Look
Well before your wedding, you should try out the look that you’ve planned to make sure it works for you. It’s best to find out now if a new hair color doesn’t match your dress or if a spray tan is just a shade too dark.
You should book an appointment with your stylist, treating it just as you would your wedding day appointment. Ask for the same hair, makeup, and tan that you want on your big day. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have two months to let it fade, grow out, or otherwise fix the issue. Your stylist may also have some expert advice on how to change your wedding day look for the better.
Find the Perfect Wedding Rings
While it’s considered traditional to wear your engagement ring before your wedding day, many couples don’t purchase their wedding rings until shortly before their wedding. It may take some time to agree on the perfect ring for both spouses, however, so it’s best not to leave shopping until the last minute. You may also need to resize one or both rings, which can take your jeweler some time.
The Final Month
By the final month before your wedding, you should be fairly confident that everything is set to run smoothly. Now, all that’s left is to iron out the final details and ensure that your big day goes just as perfectly as you envision it in your head.
Accessorize
When it comes to wedding attire, it can take some time and effort to find the perfect dress. Once you know what you’ll be wearing, however, it’s fairly easy to accessorize. You can wait till the final weeks or month before the wedding to pick out the perfect accents to make your wedding look pop.
You should look for jewelry, shoes, and bridal lingerie that will go well with your dress. You can buy accessories new, check out thrift shops, or turn to loved ones to see if they have any heirlooms you could borrow.
Book Beauty Appointments
The final month before your wedding is the ideal time to book your final beauty appointments. You should already have a stylist lined up, and hopefully, tested out your look before the big day. It’s best to book your last beauty appointments fairly close to your wedding so that nothing breaks or fades.
In addition to hair and makeup, many brides also like to take care of the finer details before their wedding. The last month is the best time to book appointments with nail artists, waxers, tanning studios, and more.
Finalize the Guest List
At this point in the planning process, you should have gotten all of your RSVP cards back from your guests. If anyone hasn’t responded, now is the time to reach out and confirm if they can or can’t come.
Once you’ve reviewed all of your RSVPs, you can finalize your guest list. You’ll know exactly how many people to expect, and how many will be bringing a plus one. Once you have your final guest list, you should give it to your venue, your caterer, and any other vendors that need to know your expected attendance. You may also want to have a checklist at the door to ensure there’s no confusion about who’s sent in an RSVP and who hasn’t.
Create a Seating Plan
With a concrete guest list in place, you can finalize your seating chart for the day of your wedding. Many couples choose to assign seating to ensure everyone has a spot, to help avoid unnecessary conflict, and to help different family members get to know each other. A seating plan forces people to mingle who may otherwise keep to themselves.
Some people choose to arrange seating by common interests. For example, some couples have a singles table to help encourage their friends to meet new people. Some may also dedicate a table to younger guests so that they don’t get bored. No matter what you choose for your seating plan, it’s best to keep couples and plus ones together.
Put Together Thank You Packages
A small token of thanks after your wedding is a polite and classy move that will give your guests a way to remember the day fondly. You can give away small mementos of the night, such as centerpieces or floral arrangements, or create a gift bag filled with goodies.
Often, the bride and groom arrange more special gifts for their party as a thank you for help in planning. It’s best to give these out in private, usually during your hen or stag party. Many people choose to personalize each gift to their party members, such as with a unique design or monogram.
Confirm the Details
Even if you’ve booked with the very best vendors in your area, mistakes can still happen. A small miscommunication can lead to disaster on the day of your wedding if a vendor gets the date wrong or brings the wrong thing to the venue.
You should call up caterers, florists, DJs, and more to confirm the details of your booking. You should go over the time, date, and location of your wedding as well as the services requested and the payments necessary. If you have any last-minute changes to your plans, be sure to let your vendors know as soon as possible.
It’s also a good idea to exchange important contact information with your vendors so that you can reach them in an emergency. In addition to getting their everyday and emergency numbers, you should supply them with your own details in addition to a backup contact.
Take Care of Yourself
While there’s still plenty to do the month before your wedding, this is your time to relax. Take it easy as you go over the final preparations to perfect your big day. If necessary, you can outsource important tasks to members of your wedding party to take the load off your shoulders.
Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat right, and stay active. Doing this will keep you looking and feeling your best right up to the day of your wedding. You may also want to book a massage or two to help you de-stress. By keeping yourself calm, you can also work to avoid pimples and wrinkles that may ruin your wedding photos.
The Day Before Your Wedding
The day just before your wedding will most likely be the busiest of all in any planning process, especially for a short-notice wedding. You need to ensure that all services and deliveries are on track for the next day. If necessary, assign members of your bridal party to do things such as pick up the cake from the bakery or help the caterers set up.
One of your most important tasks right before the wedding is to make sure that the venue is ready and organized. You should drop off place cards, menus, and your seating chart to make sure everything is set according to plan. You should also drop off any decor or favor bags before the big day.
While it isn’t easy to plan a short-notice wedding, it’s far from impossible. Just three months out is plenty of time for you to make all of the bookings and arrangements that you need to make your special day a success.