Weddings in a Short Time

There’s a lot more to getting married than just planning the wedding and wedding reception. This is supposed to be a time to celebrate your love and your wedding vows. Don’t let it drive you crazy!

If you have to, you can plan and execute a complete, elegant and fully organized wedding – ceremony and wedding reception, honeymoon and everything in-between - in 3 months.You heard me. Three months. I’ve seen it done. It’s a matter of organization and flexibility.

Three Months
Pick a date and day! If you are getting married in the height of June or September (the wedding months) don’t expect your ceremony location to be completely available on Saturday or Sunday. Have a Friday wedding instead. It will save you money and you are more likely to find your ceremony venue available.

Once you’ve got the day, and the ceremony location, find your wedding reception venue. Again, a Friday or other weekday gives you greater options.

Set Your Budget and Start Booking Your Vendors

You know how much the ceremony site and wedding reception locale will cost. Set your wedding budget accordingly. What you have left is for flowers, gown, tux, rehearsal, dinner, band/DJ and photographer.

Book your photographers (and videographers) as soon as your can. Also have a back-up plan (like a friend who is semi-pro and disposable cameras on each table). Many photographers have conflicts and the sooner you get them, the better.

Determine the Dresses and the Attendants

Wedding party: ask and secure bridesmaids and groomsmen for the wedding. Provide bridesmaids with their bridesmaid dresses and styles to order and arrange for tuxedoes for male attendants.

Buy or order your wedding gown. DON’T wait. You may need alterations and other accessories and you don’t want this to be last minute.

Two Months
Start making honeymoon plans. Select wedding invitations.

Complete guest list – set the number of guests you want and try to stick to it. You will have to tell both sets of parents and expect them to follow your wishes. Select your caterer and especially the wedding reception menu.

Book your music – hire a band or a DJ.

Select your florist and coordinate your wedding colors to the flowers.

Select other wedding decorations, wedding favors and the wedding cake. Order these as soon as you can.

Six weeks
Address invitations and mail them! You want your guests to have time to respond, make travel arrangements, if necessary and be ready to celebrate your wedding.

One month Register for gifts.Buy wedding rings.Make sure if you need any sort of equipment such as chocolate fountains, cameras, etc for the ceremony or wedding reception, that they are available and rent them for the date.

Three weeks
Get marriage licenses.

Plan rehearsal dinner, reserve location and send invitations.

One week
Call ALL vendors; confirm the wedding reception date, time and location.

Arrange for any name changes (you can do this after).

Pack for your honeymoon.

Wedding day

Relax – get dressed, have hair done and enjoy. There’s nothing left to do.

See? If you are flexible and can stand the stress, you can get it done in 3 months or less!