Planning Your Wedding | 3 Month Checklist

 

You might be thinking “Who plans a wedding in three months?” (Hand raised) This girl right here!! Yes, you read that right, My husband and I had 3 1/2 months between the date of our engagement to our wedding day. It was a little crazy at first but my type A personality made a really good 3 month checklist which really helped me take control of the situation and not feel frazzled.

Most couples have fairly long engagements, at least 12-18 months. That lovely scenario was simply not possible for my husband and I. We we engaged the last day of January 2009. The economy was still a mess. My parents owed a beautiful wedding facility and vineyard but were slowly succumbing to the financial crisis that started in 2008. I really wanted to be married on our estate, but we knew there probably wasn’t much time left for that to be possible. We decided the best option to make my dream of having a wedding on our property with all our family and friends a reality was to have a very very short engagement.

I quickly realized there were not many resources online for brides planning a wedding in less then 3 months. So I got creative and made my own. I just took a 12 month plan and shortened it to 12 weeks. What would normally take 1-2 months, I had to get done in a week. I won’t lie those first 3 weeks were a little nuts. But with the enlisted help of family and friends I was able to tick off those tasks very quickly. Hopefully this checklist is helpful for anyone else that’s trying to plan a wedding quickly.

 

Checklist:

12 Weeks Before

• Announce Engagement
• Set Wedding Date
• Determine Budget
• Create Guest List
• Choose Bridal Party
• Decide on Theme
• Hire Wedding Planner
• Book Venue
• Select Photographer & Schedule Engagement Photos
• Collect Guest Addresses

11 Weeks Before

• Book Stationer & Order Invitations
• Send Save the Dates
• Order Dress
• Choose Vendors (Planner, Caterer, Florist, DJ/Band, Videographer, H&MU Artist etc.)
• Renew or Order Passports (If needed for honeymoon)

10 Weeks Before

• Order Wedding Bands
• Cake Tasting & Order Cake
• Order Bridesmaids & Flower Girl Dresses
• Determine Rentals & Purchase Decor
• Book an Officiant

9 Weeks Before

• Select Groom & Groomsmen Attire
• Register for Gifts
• Confirm day of Hotels & Transportation

8 Weeks Before

• Mail Wedding Invitations
• Book Honeymoon
• Start Any DIY Projects

7 Weeks Before

• Purchase day of Bridal Accessories
• Purchase Wedding Favors

6 Weeks Before

• Write or Decide Vows
• Plan Rehearsal Dinner

5 Weeks Before

• Calligrapher/Stationer Make/Print Signs and/or Paper Goods
• Purchase Cake Knife, Flutes, and any other Wedding day extras

4 Weeks Before

• Bridal Shower
• Apply for Marriage License
• Confirm Wedding Timeline Send to Vendors

3 Weeks Before

• Review Music with DJ/Band
• Confirm Final Payments for Vendors
• Call Non-RSVP’s

2 Weeks Before

• Final Dress Fitting
• Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties

1 Week Before

• Final Head Count
• Finalize Seating Chart
• Pack for Wedding Day & Honeymoon
• Rehearsal & Dinner

Wedding Day!

 

Need help with how to choose the right wedding photographer? Read this blog post (HERE) I wrote to help make this decision easier.