How to Plan a Wedding in 3 Months: 3 Month Wedding Checklist

Can you plan a wedding in 3 months?

How to plan a wedding in 3 months

Month 3

1. Sign up for Loverly! Okay, we admit we're a little biased here, but signing up for Loverly is a great way to make staying on track a breeze no matter what your planning timeline is.
2. Set a wedding date and budget. This must be your first step as it will affect every following event and to-do. Have a few days in mind as you may need to shift things around based on venue availability. The budget will help guide you as you begin planning some of your larger expenses, primarily the venue.
3. Consider hiring a wedding planner. They plan weddings for a living, so chances are this will make your wedding planning timeline a lot less stressful.
4. Decide on your wedding style. Have you taken the Loverly style quiz yet? Well, now is the perfect time to start envisioning the overall vibe for your wedding day.
5. Get started with design, learn how to create  a wedding vision board, or use a Pinterest board to visualize your ideas.
6. Create a guest list. Consider your budget, your potential guest's availability, and your potential venue. Keeping it smaller may be a smart move with less time to plan. Focus on essential friends and family for this short timeframe. Consider using this wedding guest list planner to streamline your process. 
7. Book your wedding venue. This is essential! You can't have a wedding without a location. In terms of a wedding planning timeline, this will be a crucial step, whether you're going for a backyard party or a fancy venue. Again, flexibility is key because with less planning space you may have fewer options.
8. Start researching wedding vendors. Begin looking into photographers, florists, cake bakers, caterers, decor, rentals, DJs, and make-up artists. Flexibility is key here as certain vendors may be booked up, but you'll definitely be able to find what you need and get creative when you can't. Pro tip: Use this wedding vendor manager to save you tons of time!
9. Look into stationery and send out save-the-dates. If sending paper invites is crucial for you, start planning on that early. If not, consider a stylish email invite! Whether you're going digital or sticking to snail mail, it's critical that you let your guests know to keep your wedding in mind for the next three months.
10. Choose your wedding party. Select and coordinate with your wedding party. These friends, family, and loved ones will be your closest confidants in this period (except for maybe your wedding planner), so get them up to speed ASAP.
11. Start shopping for wedding attire. Begin looking for your wedding dress, suit, or other formalwear. If you're in the market for a gown, keep in mind that bridal salons tend to book up far in advance and most custom gowns take at least six months to prepare.
12. Research marriage license requirements. Start looking into the marriage laws for wherever your ceremony is being held so you're prepared once it comes time for the marriage license.
13. Order your wedding cake. Bakers need time! So plan ahead for this key ingredient to your special day.
14. Consider honeymoon options. Start dreaming about where you foresee ringing in your nuptials.

Month 2

1. Send out wedding invitations. Start raking in those RSVPs!
2. Book your honeymoon. Flights are best purchased about a month and a half to two months in advance, so now's your time.
3. Finalize vendors. Lock in your vendors and confirm the final dates, plans, and options (music choices, menu, etc.) for catering, music, photography, and more.
4. Create a wedding website. Consider lining this up with your invitations so you have a website to point your guests to right away.
5. Register for a honeymoon fund website or set up a cash registry. The most fun part! Now that the invitations are out, the shopping can begin.
6. Plan additional wedding events. Consider bachelor or bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners, or an engagement party. What do you have time for in your wedding plans?
7. Decide on hair and makeup options. Whether you're going to DIY or not, start making this plan now.

Month 1

1. Obtain your marriage license. Be mindful of your state or country's laws here, not all marriage licenses are created equal.
2. Confirm RSVPs and finalize seating arrangements. You want to have the final count before confirming and paying your vendors.
3. Have final fittings for wedding attire. This includes your wedding dress, suit, and any alterations needed.
4. Confirm all details with vendors and wedding professionals. Make sure you're aligned with your vendors and wedding party. Confirm all day-of deals and finalize all wedding payments for your vendors.
5. Write vows and speeches. Pick your readings and write your wedding vows. Have these on hand early so you can edit as you go.
6. Finalize decor elements.
7. Decide on and buy your wedding favors. If you're going for these, get started soon and have them ready in advance for your wedding day. Planning wedding favors can be fun, so hop to it!
8. Organize a timeline for the wedding day.
9. Do a walk-through of the wedding venue, so you can get a feel for the place.
10. Design your wedding ceremony.
11. Review all last-minute wedding details.
12. Schedule or make final payments to vendors. At this point, the main day-of aspects should be all set.
13. Make final accessory purchases to complete your wedding day look.
14. Pack for your honeymoon. Start prepping honeymoon activities and logistics. Make sure you have those reservations lined up so you can maximize the fun.
15. Make sure your wedding party is ready to go. The big day draws nearer! Is your support squad ready?
16. Have your bachelor or bachelorette party! Woohoo!
17. Finalize your seating charts. Or for a more casual affair, just let people be!
18. Confirm all honeymoon travel. A double-check never hurt anybody. You're a couple of phone calls away from extra peace of mind.

1. Plan post-wedding activities (brunch, dinner, etc). You already have a lot on your plate, but a little extra thank you brunch with your wedding party never hurt anyone.
2. Finalize vendor timelines. Discuss and outline delivery, set-up, and breakdown with the site manager and vendors.
3. Pack for your honeymoon. Now is not the time for last-minute packing, folks!
4. Rehearse ceremony at the venue. Even if you aren't doing a rehearsal dinner, you want to have the wedding party positions and order down the aisle figured out and practiced.
5. Pick up or prep your wedding wear. Whether you're picking up a rental tux or getting your gown out for a steam, now's the time to make sure it's all ready to go.
6. Give your marriage license to the officiant. Just to make sure they have it ready to go!
7. Select emergency contact. Always important, especially on a day with as many moving parts as a wedding day!
8. Start putting together your post wedding checklist.

Tips on how to plan a wedding in 3 months with a small budget

1. Opt for off-peak dates and times: Consider a weekday wedding or brunch reception to save on venue costs.
2. Remove complexity from your menu: Choose a buffet or family-style meal instead of a plated dinner.
3. DIY decorations: Get crafty with centerpieces and favors to add a personal touch while saving money.
4. Limit the guest list: A smaller, more intimate gathering can be just as meaningful and much more budget-friendly.
5. Rent or buy secondhand: Consider renting decor items or purchasing gently used wedding attire to cut costs.
6. Think outside the (vendor) box: You probably won't be able to book your city's top vendors so close to your wedding date, but that doesn't mean you can't put together a totally gorgeous celebration. Here are some ways to get creative:
7. Find out if your favorite restaurant caters and serves the foods you love most buffet-style.
8. If you're having a small, at-home wedding, you could go really DIY and ask your friends and family members to each contribute a potluck dish.
9. Instead of having an open bar, buy beer and wine in bulk from a vineyard or brewery and hire a bartending student to serve for the night.
10. Skip the band or wedding DJ and put your favorite playlists on an mp3 player—just be sure you mix it up and include songs all of your guests will enjoy.
11. Call local florists and see if they can put together some uncomplicated arrangements using in-season flowers. If they don't have to order anything out of the ordinary, they just might be able to help you.
12. Get a standard cake from a bakery (i.e., not a custom order) and add a unique cake topper (Etsy has a great selection!) Or you could pick up a sheet cake from the grocery store and call it a day because you know deep down everyone loves that grocery store frosting.
13. Be flexible with your wedding attire: If you're open to a non-traditional bridal look, purchase a white bridesmaid dress. (Bonus: we guarantee you'll save tons of money!) You can also check out vintage shops, upscale consignment stores, and scour the racks at department stores—you'll be surprised at what you find once you start looking. Anyone wearing a suit should be able to find a suit off the rack—and don't forget, vintage shops are your friends!
14. Don't be afraid to get crafty: Get your friends together for a night of cocktails and crafting—those centerpieces and place cards aren't going to make themselves! We know you've been pinning DIY wedding projects for months anyway, so pull out your favorite how-tos and get cracking. If you're short on time, pick a few that will give you the most bang for your buck, and don't worry about the rest.

3 month wedding checklist

• Set date and budget
• Create guest list
• Book venue
• Send invitations
• Choose wedding party
• Shop for attire
• Book vendors (catering, music, photography, etc.)
• Plan honeymoon
• Obtain marriage license
• Write vows and speeches
• Finalize seating arrangements
• Confirm all details with vendors
• Pack for honeymoon

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