How to Plan a Wedding in 3 Months: Your Timeline & Checklist
Planning a wedding in 3 months (or even less!) is doable. Short timelines are having a moment—here's how to make a last-minute wedding happen. Planning a wedding in 3 months may sound stressful, but there are actually quite a few benefits to a short engagement. There's no time to agonize over decisions, and, perhaps best of all, you won't have to wait to start married life.
Can You Plan a Wedding in 3 Months?
In short, yes! You can absolutely plan a wedding in 3 months—or even much less than that. In fact, according to The Knot Real Wedding Study, 5% of marriers plan their wedding in 3 months or less. Couples plan last-minute weddings for a variety of reasons, whether it's because of work or family issues, military deployments or they just want to do the thing ASAP!
If you're considering planning a wedding in 90 days or less, know that it's absolutely possible—as long as you're flexible and able to make quick choices. "You won't have time to go back and forth with details," says wedding planner Lindsay Parrott-Masiewicz. "You're going to have to book vendors and make deposits quickly, but deal with the smaller details later."
Expert-Approved Secrets to a Short Timeline
There are a few expert-approved secrets to planning a wedding with such a short timeline:
- Be strict with your guest list: It's easier to plan a last-minute wedding with a smaller guest list—you'll have a wider range of venues available to you.
- Hire a planner: Wedding planners will not only ensure that everything goes smoothly, they can use their connections to find you the perfect vendors. "You won't have to do all that vetting," Parrott-Masiewicz says.
- Consider weekday weddings: Parrott-Masiewicz says that Tuesdays through Thursdays are increasingly popular for last-minute weddings.
- Prioritize venue and photographer: These two vendors should be the first you hire, says Parrott-Masiewicz. If you generally like the vendor and they're within budget, book them right away.
- Don't wait too long for initial responses: If a vendor doesn't get back to you in 36 hours or less, it's time to move on.
3-Month Wedding Checklist
If you're not sure where to begin, we've got you covered. This step-by-step checklist will ensure you get everything done. Note that we're only focusing on the most important to-dos—you only need to do what's essential and not stress about the rest!
3 Months Out
- Find a Wedding Venue: Securing a wedding venue may be the most important step you'll take during the planning process—especially if you're planning a wedding in 3 months or less! Once you've booked your venue, you've officially set a date and can hire your other vendors.
- Set a Date: Parrott-Masiewicz recommends being flexible. The availability of your wedding venue affects what date you can select for the wedding.
List of Wedding Vendors You Need
While you might not need every single pro on this wedding vendor checklist, it's helpful to know what's available to you before you start deciding on wedding vendors and contacting wedding businesses. Consider this your ultimate wedding vendor list template:
| Vendor Category | Role & Importance |
|---|---|
| Venue | A place to host the celebration is critical and affects what date you can select. |
| Planner | The conductors who bring carefully orchestrated nuptials to life and the glue that holds everything together. |
| Photographer | The images they capture will become cherished keepsakes that will last long after the wedding concludes. |
| Floral Designer | Artists who use flowers as their medium for creating beauty for a couple. |
| DJ | Music and entertainment are a staple at most weddings. |