In the most perfect of worlds, it is ideal to have a year or more to plan for your wedding so that you can get the date that you want, to ensure that you get the vendors that you want and to have plenty of time to finalize all of the plans and details. But as we know, life happens on its very own schedule and we have to just go with whatever is given to us. Perhaps your fiance is in the military and is being deployed. Or maybe you just can’t wait to be married and found a date that is on the sooner side, so you are just deciding to go for it. Regardless of your reasoning for having a shorter window to pull all of the details together for your wedding, we are here for it! It is more than possible to create the wedding day that you have dreamed of in a short period of time. I am going to share some key steps and upon request, I will provide you with a checklist so that you can plan a wedding in 90 days or less.
10-12 Weeks Out…
Begin with the big things to get started off on the right foot. You can do a lot of really important things right from the get go to streamline your process.
- ESTABLISH A BUDGET AND HONOR IT. Quickly determine how and where you would like to place your financial priorities so that it can guide your decisions.
- TOUR VENUES AND RESERVE YOUR WEDDING DATE. Many venues book far in advance so be open to selecting a date that you may otherwise not have considered. Here at Lavender on the Lake, we offer midweek pricing-as do most venues!- which is an excellent way to save money as well as to pull together a wedding on short notice. Midweek dates don’t get scooped up like weekends and high season dates often do.
- CREATE A GUEST LIST WHILE KEEPING YOUR BUDGET IN MIND. Many people are planners and may not be able to make it with short notice, so feel free to add a few extras. If you need help with creating a guest list check out my recent blog for some tips!
- CHOOSE YOUR STYLE AND SEND OUT SAVE THE DATES. Finding a color scheme or theme can help you nail down other details and you can create your save the dates based on your theme. If you are worried about the timing of snail mail, consider sending digital save the dates to give your guests adequate time for planning.
- SELECT YOUR WEDDING PLANNER/DAY OF COORDINATOR. **Note: this is NOT an option. Here at Lavender we do expect our couples to have a planner to ensure that all of the details come together. For a quick turnaround, your planner will literally become your best friend as they are able to take all of the loose ends and tie them together in a beautiful bow and streamline the process. Check out my blog for some good planners.
- SELECT YOUR ATTIRE. Find your dress or pants, and have your fiance find theirs as well. Keep in mind that you may need 8 or more weeks for alterations.
- DETERMINE IF YOU ARE HAVING A WEDDING PARTY. If you are planning to do so, ask your people and share with them what attire is expected of them.
- TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Be sure to put self care on your check list. Take your walks if that is your time for grounding and/or yoga, Cross Fit, etc. It is essential to make your health and well being a priority to relieve stress during this time.
8-10 Weeks Out…
You might be feeling really overwhelmed so continue focusing on the big rather than the smaller details in order to continue to crossing things off of your list.
- ORDER YOUR INVITATIONS. Your guests may have made their travel plans once you sent the save the dates out, but there is nothing like an invitation to get people to really make their plans.
- SELECT YOUR KEY VENDORS. Prioritize booking your key vendors such as caterers, DJ/Band, photographer, videographer, florist, cake etc. Here at Lavender on the Lake we have an excellent approved vendor list who have worked here and whom we can verify that they show up and do an excellent job. Be open as some vendors may be unavailable with such short notice.
- FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN REASONABLE TACKLE YOURSELF. The people who love you, love to help you. Strategically decide on DIY projects and ask for the talents and help from your family and friends. Someone once said to me that allowing someone to help us is actually a gift to them. We all want to help and oftentimes, we just do not know how. Delegate, delegate, delegate!
- BOOK YOUR HOTEL IF NECESSARY AND ARRANGE FOR HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS FOR GUESTS. Enough said.
- BOOK ANY NECESSARY TRANSPORTATION FOR DAY-OF. Consider how you will be leaving from the venue and how your guests will get back to the hotel if you would like to offer transportation.
- BEGIN THINKING ABOUT YOUR HONEYMOON. Having something like this to not only look forward to, but to also do as a married couple is super fun. If it’s too quick of a turnaround, consider a staycation at the hotel you are staying at for a few nights and plan for a honeymoon trip later on.
6-8 Weeks to Go…
You still have time, and now that the major things are finished, you can focus on some of the details.
- BOOK THE REHEARSAL AND REHEARSAL DINNER SPOT. Check with your venue to see when you can come for a rehearsal. Here at Lavender we allow an hour for our couples to rehearse. Invite your immediate family, wedding party and Officiant. (Your venue and planner will help with this!)
- GET THOSE INVITATIONS OUT IN THE MAIL!
- MAKE FINALIZATIONS WITH YOUR VENDOR TEAM. Again, thank goodness for that planner. They will help with this. Be sure you have your team set. (Don’t forget the CAKE!)
- BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF THE RENTALS AND LINENS LIINED UP. Double check with your venue to see if they provide any linens and/or if you need any linens from your caterer or a rental company. Perhaps you are interested in having a Champagne wall, a personalized seating chart, or specific chairs for ceremony. Reach out to your rental companies to see what they have on hand.
- SELECT YOUR WEDDING BANDS. These do not need to be crazy expensive or your “forever” band if you feel pressed to find “the one.”
4-5 Weeks…getting closer now!
At this time, you should have all of the essentials finalized. So use this time to slow down a little bit, check in with yourself and your fiance, and to hone in on a few details. Check out my blog on details for some inspiration! (INSERT LINK)
- MAKE PLANS TO OBTAIN YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE. You will want to check to find out what your state requires regarding obtaining the marriage license. Some states have a few days waiting period so be sure you look into this.
- REACH OUT TO YOUR WEDDING PARTY. If you have a wedding party, take a moment to reach out to be sure that they have their attire ordered or in possession. You might also want to think about purchasing gifts for them for the rehearsal and/or day of.
- SELECT AND PURCHASE THE DETAILS. If you would like to have a favor for your guests, this is the time to purchase it. The details also include things like a guestbook, card holder, cake servers, special champagne flutes…anything goes! Ideas for details are here.
2-3 Weeks…Eee!
It’s almost time to say- “I do!” You’ve got this! You should only have a few things to nail down at this point.
- ENSURE THAT YOUR VENDORS HAVE THEIR NECESSARY INFO. Your caterer needs to know the final headcount. Send your shot list to your photographer/ videographer. Your DJ/ band will want a song list for ceremony, cocktail hours, and reception. It’s important to be sure that the details of the ceremony are given to your Officiant.
- BE SURE THAT YOUR PLANNER/VENUE HAVE TIMELINES AND FLOORPLANS. You will need to make time to work with your planner to be sure that the timing for the day is all set. Your planner will be sure that your venue has this info. (As a venue owner, I love getting this early in the wedding week so that I can move the tables and chairs into position as early as possible.) Your planner will also work with you to determine who is giving toasts- all of the details will come together!
- GO FOR YOUR FINAL FITTING. Sometimes the stress can cause changes in our bodies, so be sure that you go for your fitting. Don’t forget to take any accessories that will impact the fitting- shoes! Shoes are important here.
- REACH OUT TO ANY UNANSWERED INVITES.
- BEGIN WORKING ON SEATING CHART. Keep in mind that there may be some last minute adjustments.
1 Week…and you will be MARRIED!
Here we go! Breathe…the details will all come together.
- CHECK IN With CATERING FOR FINAL HEADCOUNT.
- FINALIZE THE SEATING CHART AND CREATE THE PLACE CARDS IF NECESSARY.
- CONFIRM DETAILS OF TIMELINE WITH PLANNER. It is helpful to ask your planner if there are things that need to be relayed to vendors or the wedding party. Here at Lavender, we provide our vendors with a vendor map to assist with where to enter the property. Likely you will ask your planner if there are things to be relayed to vendors and they will say-“Nope! We are all set!”- which in turn can set your mind at ease.
- GET YOUR WEDDING ATTIRE. If you haven’t already picked this up, this is a great time to do so. This is a great thing to delegate by the way!
- ORGANIZE AN EMERGENCY WEDDING KIT. Most venues and planners will have an emergency kit. Here at Lavender, we have bandaids, sewing kits, safety pins…but you might be the type of person who feels better just having your own set of emergency items on hand. If it will help you to feel better- just make your own.
- PACK YOUR NIGHT OF BAG AND HONEYMOON. Having your bags ready and set aside just adds to the excitement. If you are taking a honeymoon, my mom always calls the collection of personal items your trousseau which is French- I love this! It also will get you excited for your trip!
Last Minute Things…
- DELEGATE SOME TASKS. Ensure that you have someone who will pack up the gifts/cards at the end of the night and things at the end of the night. If you want to keep the top of your cake, be sure that someone is in charge of getting it. Enlist someone to be in charge of returning any rental items such as suits, tuxedos or anything that needs to be returned.
- BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR NIGHT BAG, WEDDING RINGS, UNDERGARMENTS, AND MARRIAGE LICENSE. Yes, I said undergarments. My mom forgot her bra on my wedding day. Be sure you have all the things!
Your wedding can be all that you want it to be within 90 days if you follow this checklist to keep you on track. Don’t forget to BREATHE. Stop. Take it all in while letting go of perfection; your reason for your wedding is LOVE. Read here on ideas for stopping to be grateful throughout your planning. Reach out to us here at Lavender on the Lake to help. Hugs!
Thank you SO much for taking time to read this blog. If you are new, thank you so much for reading along and if you have been following our journey, you will know by now that we support locally owned small businesses because we believe whole heartedly that locally owned businesses provide a special type of care for the experiences overall. In all of my blogs, I link locally owned venues from across the country. You can find locally owned wedding venues on this Venue Map.
Featured Vendors from this Post:
Venue | Lavender on the Lake
Photography | Concept Photography || Snapshots by Gabriela || 28 North Photography || Kirnos Photography
Rentals | Ocean Hawks Rentals ||
Cake | The Naked Cupcake
Floral | Blue Grass Chic || Sarandipity Floral
XO
Shelley