Cross off these tasks & you’ll comfortably plan a wedding in 3 months

Planning a wedding requires couples to juggle many tasks all at once, and in-between visits to florists, wedding dress shop appointments, and negotiating with multiple suppliers, it's easy to forget what has to be done by when. Now, if you’re trying to do all of that within 3 months, suddenly it becomes a lot more challenging.

Planning a wedding in a matter of weeks is challenging, but certainly possible! You just need to be willing to make quick decisions and maybe some compromises…

To help you get up to speed quickly, we've put together the essential things you need when trying to plan a wedding in three months. Along with a wedding planning timeline that accounts for a 12-week lead up to your big day, but you could adapt this checklist for use for a shorter or longer timeline too.


Three-Month Wedding Planning Timeline

To accomplish a 3-month wedding planning timeline, we’ve taken a regular year-long plan and condensed it down. Many of the tasks on this list link to our very own Kent Wedding Centre suppliers, so please feel free to click through as you go and check them out.

And remember, you don't need to do everything on this list - tailor it to your big day, and the kind of celebration you're having!

3 Months Before Your Wedding

  • Arrange the legalities - this one is essential to do first!

  • Create a guest list

  • Decide on a date

  • Book your venue

  • Text/email a save the date to your guests and gather guests' addresses

  • Book a celebrant

  • Hire a planner or stylist (if required)

  • Book a caterer

  • Book a photographer and/or videographer

  • Book a band and/or DJ

  • Book a florist

  • Go wedding dress/suit shopping - ordering a wedding dress with less than 3 months until the wedding is considered a rush order, and will be very tight, delivery and alterations-wise.

  • ‘Propose’ to your wedding party (if you're having one) and start arranging their outfits

  • Get in touch with hire, decor, or lighting companies

  • Order your wedding cake

  • Research stationery

  • Book wedding accommodation

Just Peachy Florist at The Kent Wedding Centre


2 Months Before Your Wedding

  • Book your honeymoon (check your passports and arrange vaccinations if required)

  • Send your wedding invitations and gather RSVPs

  • Plan your ceremony

  • Book your ceremony musicians

  • Choose a date for your hen or stag parties (a joint one is a good idea if you're really tight for time)

  • Arrange a hair and makeup trial and make bookings

  • Book wedding transport

  • Buy wedding rings

1 Month Before Your Wedding

  • Finalise your outfit; lingerie, shoes, accessories

  • Make final wedding dress alterations

  • Finalise your wedding party outfits

  • Confirm details on flowers and decor

  • Create a plan for setting up and taking down your wedding reception/ceremony

  • Make an on-the-day timeline

  • Book last-minute beauty; nails, waxing, tan, haircut, etc

  • Go for a menu tasting and finalise the reception menu

  • Organise gifts for family, wedding party or any helpers

  • Complete any DIY or craft projects

  • Review final RSVP list and call any guests who have not yet responded

Two Weeks Before Your Wedding

  • Book a restaurant for the night before/lunch the day after big day

  • Call all wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements

  • Confirm numbers with your venue and caterer

  • Make the table plan

  • Supply venue or planner with any supplier requests or updates

  • Finalise ceremony booklets and on-the-day stationery

The Week of Your Wedding

  • Confirm on-the-day timeline for the couple, wedding party and suppliers

  • Give the venue coordinator, planner, or wedding party your timeline and contact info for all suppliers

  • Do last-minute pampering and beauty prep

  • Do full wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil

  • Collect suits; check you have all the ties/socks/cufflinks

  • Pack an overnight bag for the reception

  • Pack for the honeymoon

  • Make any last-minute confirmations/changes with suppliers

  • Make bank transfers or organise cash for any final balances to be paid on the day

The Day Before Your Wedding

  • Drop off place cards, table cards, menus, gifts, table plan, and décor to reception coordinator

  • Provide all wedding professionals with an emergency phone number to call on the day of the wedding

  • Ensure the cake is on track to be delivered to the reception venue - have someone else look after this one!

  • Iron out any ceremony details

  • Chill out and have a nice dinner

  • Get a good night’s rest!