Let’s be honest—you’re either madly in love and can’t wait another second, or life threw you a curveball and you need to make this happen fast.
Either way, you’re here because you need a wedding in three months, and I’m here to tell you it’s absolutely doable without losing your sanity or your savings.
The secret isn’t magic or miracles. It’s ruthless prioritization, smart shortcuts, and accepting that “perfect” is the enemy of “beautiful and done.”
Start with Your Non-Negotiables
Before you touch Pinterest or call a single vendor, sit down with your partner and hash out what truly matters. Not what your mother thinks matters, not what looks good on Instagram—what matters to you two.
Maybe it’s having your grandmother’s ring, dancing to live music, or serving your favorite Thai restaurant’s pad thai. Write down your top five must-haves and stick to them like glue.
Everything else becomes negotiable currency. This clarity will save you hours of decision paralysis and keep you focused when vendors start showing you seventeen different napkin fold options.
Venue First, Everything Else Second
Your venue drives every other decision, so this is where you sprint, not stroll. Available venues with your date are your only options—forget about that barn you pinned two years ago if they’re booked.
Call venues directly instead of emailing. Explain your timeline upfront and ask about last-minute cancellations or weekday availability. Friday and Sunday weddings often have better availability and lower prices than Saturdays.
Consider non-traditional spaces that might have more flexibility: restaurants with private dining rooms, community centers, parks with pavilions, or even someone’s backyard. These venues often have shorter booking lead times and built-in infrastructure.
The Vendor Speed Round
With three months, you can’t afford to interview fifteen photographers and debate the merits of each. Create a simple vendor evaluation system and stick to it.
Essential vendors to book immediately:
- Photographer (your memories matter more than matching linens)
- Officiant (no officiant, no wedding—it’s that simple)
- Catering or restaurant (people need to eat)
Nice-to-have vendors you can book later or skip:
- Florist (grocery store flowers work fine)
- DJ (a good playlist and speaker rental)
- Wedding planner (you’re doing this yourself, remember?)
Ask for package deals and be upfront about your timeline. Many vendors prefer a quick “yes” to months of back-and-forth emails.
Finding Vendors Fast
Check recently married friends’ social media for vendor tags. Their photographers and caterers are already proven and might have last-minute availability.
Wedding Facebook groups in your area are goldmines for vendor recommendations and sometimes even vendors offering last-minute deals. Don’t be shy about posting your needs—other brides love to help.
Vendor websites often list their availability calendars or booking timelines. If they say they need six months’ notice, keep scrolling.
Streamline Your Guest List
This isn’t the time for “we should probably invite…” thinking. Your three-month timeline is actually a gift—it forces you to invite only people who truly matter.
Start with immediate family and closest friends. If you have room and budget for more, expand from there. But don’t feel obligated to invite every cousin twice removed or your college roommate’s boyfriend.
Short notice works in your favor here. People will understand the intimate nature of a quick wedding, and you’ll avoid the guilt of not inviting acquaintances.
The Invitation Reality Check
Digital invitations aren’t just acceptable—they’re smart. Services like Paperless Post or even a well-designed email can look elegant and get information out fast.
If you must have paper invitations, choose a local printer or online service with rush delivery. Skip the save-the-dates entirely and put all information on the invitation.
Phone calls work too. Sometimes a personal call saying “We’re getting married in six weeks and would love you there” feels more special than any fancy invitation.
Smart Dress Shopping
Forget about the magical dress shopping experience with champagne and tears. You need a dress that fits, flatters, and can be altered quickly.
Sample sales, department stores, and online retailers with good return policies are your friends. Many bridal shops have “off the rack” sections with dresses available immediately.
Consider non-bridal options: white cocktail dresses, evening gowns, or even a beautiful sundress if your wedding is casual. The dress doesn’t make the bride—you do.
Alteration Timelines
Most alterations take two to four weeks, so factor this into your dress shopping timeline. Be upfront with seamstresses about your deadline—many can rush jobs for an additional fee.
Buying a dress that’s slightly too big is easier to alter than one that’s too small. Keep this in mind when choosing between sizes.
Catering Without the Chaos
Restaurant catering or family-style service eliminates the need for elaborate place settings and complicated logistics. Many restaurants offer party packages that include setup and cleanup.
Food trucks are another brilliant option for casual weddings. They’re self-contained, offer crowd-pleasing food, and create a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Don’t overlook grocery store catering departments. Many offer surprisingly sophisticated options at fraction of traditional catering costs, and they’re used to quick turnarounds.
Budget-Friendly Food Solutions
| Option | Pros | Cons | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant buyout | Professional service, established menu | Limited customization | 2-4 weeks |
| Food truck | Fun, self-contained, unique | Weather dependent | 3-6 weeks |
| Grocery catering | Affordable, quick turnaround | Limited service | 1-2 weeks |
| Potluck style | Very affordable, personal touch | Coordination required | 2-3 weeks |
Flowers and Decor: Less is More
Grocery store flowers arranged in simple vases look beautiful and cost a fraction of florist prices. Buy them the day before and enlist a crafty friend to help arrange them.
Seasonal flowers and greenery from your yard or local farmer’s market add natural beauty without the markup. Mason jars, wine bottles, or even coffee cans wrapped in burlap make charming vases.
Focus your flower budget on your bouquet and maybe some centerpieces. Skip the elaborate ceremony arch and bridesmaids’ bouquets if budget is tight.
Quick Decor Wins
String lights transform any space and are available at every hardware store. They’re foolproof, romantic, and photograph beautifully.
Candles create instant ambiance and cost almost nothing. Battery-operated candles work if your venue has fire restrictions.
Photography Priorities
A good photographer matters more than perfect linens or elaborate centerpieces. Your photos are what you’ll have forever, long after the flowers have wilted.
Look for photographers who specialize in elopements or small weddings—they’re used to quick timelines and intimate celebrations. Many offer smaller packages for shorter coverage periods.
Consider hiring a photographer for just the ceremony and family photos, then letting guests capture the reception with their phones. Create a wedding hashtag so you can collect all their photos later.
The Three-Month Timeline
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Book venue and officiant
- Set guest list and send invitations
- Order dress and schedule alterations
Weeks 3-6: Vendors and Details
- Book photographer and catering
- Plan flowers and decor
- Finalize music and transportation
Weeks 7-10: Final Touches
- Confirm all vendors and details
- Get marriage license
- Final dress fitting
Weeks 11-12: Last-Minute Prep
- Pick up flowers and decorations
- Confirm headcount with caterer
- Pack for honeymoon
Managing the Stress
Planning a wedding in three months is intense, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The compressed timeline actually prevents overthinking and second-guessing every decision.
Delegate what you can and let go of what doesn’t matter. Your wedding will be beautiful because it’s yours, not because every detail is Pinterest-perfect.
Quick stress-busters:
- Set a daily planning time limit (one hour max)
- Ask friends and family for specific help
- Remember why you’re doing this—to marry your person
When Things Go Wrong
Something will go wrong, and that’s okay. The flowers might not be exactly what you pictured, or it might rain on your outdoor ceremony. These moments often become the stories you laugh about for years.
Have a backup plan for weather, but don’t stress about backup plans for every possible scenario. You can’t control everything, and trying to will make you crazy.
Focus on what you can control: showing up, saying your vows, and celebrating with people you love. Everything else is just details.
Making It Memorable
Your three-month wedding will be special because it’s authentic and focused on what matters. Without months of planning stress, you’ll actually enjoy your engagement and arrive at your wedding day excited instead of exhausted.
The intimacy forced by your timeline creates a different kind of magic—one where every person present truly wants to be there, and every detail serves a purpose.
Your Wedding, Your Way
Three months is plenty of time to create a beautiful, meaningful wedding that reflects who you are as a couple. The key is staying focused on your vision and not getting distracted by what everyone else thinks a wedding should be.
Trust your instincts, make decisions quickly, and remember that the best weddings aren’t the most expensive or elaborate—they’re the ones where love is the main event.