Planning A Wedding In 3 Months: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding in 90 days may seem overwhelming, but it's not impossible. With the right approach, you can plan your dream wedding in just three months. From sending invitations to managing your guest list and registry, there's a lot to think about. This guide will take you through everything you need to know, from budgeting and food planning to music and reception planning. We'll also share some cost-saving ideas and secrets from experienced wedding planners to help you create your perfect day.

Focus on the big-ticket items

Planning a wedding in 90 days can seem overwhelming, but the best approach is to focus on the big-ticket items and cut out most of the "extras". Decide what you can reasonably do yourself and where you might need help. For example, you might be fine with putting together your own bridal bouquet, but you may want to enlist the help of a professional for your wedding signage.

Think carefully about what's worth your time and effort, and forget the rest. This might include arranging and booking any necessary day-of transportation, as well as hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests. You should also book your own suite for the wedding night and start thinking about your honeymoon. Remember, there's no rule that says you need to go on a honeymoon right after your wedding. A "mini-moon" for the weekend at a cute bed and breakfast could be a more practical option, and you can always save the big trip for a few months or even a year down the road.

At the six-week mark, you'll want to make sure you have all necessary vendors locked in. This includes your caterer, photographer, DJ or band, and officiant. Your wedding invitations should also go out around this time, and you'll want to have all "big-ticket" items in order. This might include your wedding dress or outfit, the venue, and any necessary rentals such as tables, chairs, or a dance floor.

To stay organised, consider using a wedding planning checklist, budget, and planning tools for food, alcohol, music, and reception details. By focusing on the big-ticket items and staying organised, you can plan your dream wedding in 90 days without feeling overwhelmed.

Cut out the extras

Planning a wedding in 90 days can seem overwhelming, but it's important to focus on the big-ticket items and cut out the extras. This means deciding what you can reasonably do yourself and where you might need help. For example, you might be happy to put together your own bridal bouquet, but a hand-lettered sign could be beyond your skill set.

Think carefully about what's worth your time and effort, and forget the rest. You don't need that chocolate fondue tower! Focus on the essentials, like arranging transportation and booking hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests. If you're thinking about a honeymoon, consider a "mini-moon" for the weekend at a bed and breakfast, and save the big trip for later.

At the six-week mark, make sure you have all your necessary vendors lined up and your wedding invitations sent out. This is also the time to ensure all the "big-ticket" items are in order. Remember, it's okay to ask for help. Delegate tasks to friends or family members, or consider hiring a wedding planner to take some of the burdens off your shoulders.

To stay organised, create a comprehensive checklist that includes everything from budgeting to food and alcohol planning, DJ and music selection, and reception details. There are also cost-saving ideas to keep expenses down, such as opting for a simple get-together instead of an extravagant affair.

Send invitations and manage your guest list

Planning a wedding in 90 days can be overwhelming, but it's important to focus on the big-ticket items and cut out the extras. One of these big-ticket items is sending out your invitations and managing your guest list.

It is customary to send out your invitations eight to ten weeks in advance, especially if your ceremony is out of town and guests will need to travel. This will give your guests enough time to RSVP and make any necessary arrangements. When sending out your invitations, it is a good idea to include a "save the date" option for your guests to add to their digital calendars. You can also send out more formal invitations closer to the date, especially if you are having a destination wedding.

To manage your guest list, it is important to keep track of RSVPs and work with your partner to fill any spots that become available. You can also assign plus ones, group families and dates together, and organise guests with tags. It is a good idea to import your guest list into a spreadsheet to share with vendors and keep track of responses.

Book transportation and accommodation

When planning a wedding in 90 days, it's important to focus on the big-ticket items and cut out any unnecessary extras.

Arrange and book any necessary transportation for the day of the wedding. This could include transport for the wedding party, as well as guests, especially if the ceremony and reception are in different locations.

Next, arrange hotel room blocks for out-of-town guests and book your own suite for the wedding night. If you're planning a honeymoon, now is a good time to start thinking about it. However, remember that there's no rule saying you need to go on a honeymoon right after the wedding. You could plan a mini-moon for the weekend and save the big trip for a few months or even a year later.

Plan your honeymoon

Planning a honeymoon in 90 days is entirely possible, but it does require some careful consideration and planning. Firstly, it's important to focus on the big-ticket items and cut out any unnecessary extras. This might mean opting for a more affordable honeymoon destination or activities, or it could mean shortening the length of your trip.

Decide what you can realistically accomplish yourself and where you might need help. For example, you could handle the research and booking of flights and accommodation, but enlist the help of a travel agent to create a customised itinerary.

If you're set on a destination honeymoon, it's important to book any necessary transportation and accommodation as soon as possible. This is especially crucial if you're planning to travel during peak season or to a popular location. You should also consider arranging hotel room blocks for any guests who will be attending your wedding and staying overnight.

Remember, there's no rule that says you have to go on your honeymoon immediately after your wedding. A mini-moon for the weekend or a few days at a bed and breakfast or nearby resort can be a more practical and affordable option. You can always save the big trip for a few months or even a year down the road. This gives you more time to plan and save, ensuring you can have the honeymoon of your dreams without the stress of trying to do it all in 90 days.

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