How to Plan a Wedding in 90 Days or Less

Congratulations, you’re engaged!!! Now comes the fun part, planning your dream wedding day. The first question is: How long do you want to be engaged? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a long engagement, and sometimes they’re necessary when you’re planning a large extravagant bash. However, if you’re just wanting to get married right away, you still have several options for a beautiful wedding day! 

How to plan your wedding in 90 Days

A quick engagement goes by fast, so you’ll want to move with extra speed when planning a wedding in 90 days or less. I’ve personally done this twice (once a full wedding, and once an elopement), so believe me when I say it can be done! Below is my quick checklist for planning your wedding in 90 days, for those in a hurry! 

1. Announce your engagement
2. Make your guest list
3. Select potential dates
4. Shop for Vendors/Packages
5. Send your Invites
6. Buy your attire
7. Apply for your license
8. Snag all those other details not included in your package

The list seems pretty easy right? Read on for tips regarding each section to make your planning a breeze! 

Announce your engagement

Couples announce their engagement in a variety of ways. I highly recommend announcing your engagement to your families (and friends who are like family!) first, in person at a dinner party. Snag your family’s favorite foods, gather everyone and make the announcement! Then announce to your close friends and finally take to social media to tell the world! 

It’s important to announce in this order because it sets the stage for who’s most important when you’re planning your wedding. Doing it this way allows you to examine who gets an invite vs who doesn’t if you need to really limit your guest list. 

Make your guest list

Many venues will depend on the number of guests you expect to have in attendance, therefore making your guest list prior to searching for a wedding venue can be extremely helpful. To make things easier, you’ll want to make a 3-part guest list: VIPs, LTHs and the “Meh” list. [A full blog post is coming soon]

VIPs – Those you CAN’T get married without. Usually parents, siblings and your bestie since 3rd grade.  

LTHs – Those you’d love to have at your wedding, but it won’t be the end of the world if they’re not there. This is likely the biggest chunk of people on your guest list. 

The “Meh” list – These are the ones you feel obligated to invite but it doesn’t make a difference one way or another. 

Once you’ve put together your 3 part guest list (this shouldn’t take too much thought to be honest!), you’ll have a decent idea of which venues will suit your wedding and can make quick work of the next 3 items on your list. 

Select Potential Dates

When you’re moving quick and only have 90 days to plan and execute your wedding, you may not have the biggest selection of dates (especially if you’re looking at dates during May through October which is prime wedding season). Knowing this, it’s wise to consider dates that are on weekdays/nights, or select 2-3 potential dates you’re open to having as your anniversary. 

If your anniversary date doesn’t really make a difference to you (ex. You’re not set on having the anniversary of your first date as your wedding day), you can fly by the seat of your pants and take whatever is available when you fall in love with your venue. 

Shop for Vendors/Elopement Packages

In the past couple years, elopement and premade wedding packages have become increasingly popular. At Markie Jones Photography LLC, we offer an elopement package that includes your photographers, officiant and florals from an amazing florist. This is perfect if you’re hoping to elope on a mountain side, or your own backyard. 

Some of the micro venues will also allow you to bring your own vendors, while others require you to use their pre-made packages. Even a few larger venues host micro weddings on days they aren’t booked for larger ones. TheBrix on Main (Buckley) and Altimeter Cabin (Ashford) are two of my favorite micro wedding locations, both boasting completely different vibes. 

Send your invites

This piece right here may feel like it’s out of place, but by this point, you’re likely down to 8-10 weeks before your wedding day! While I’m a sucker for beautiful custom stationary, consider ordering your invitations through Minted or Artifact Uprising to make sure you get them back quickly. Both companies offer beautiful pre-made invitation suite templates, and I’ve personally photographed several suites from both companies. I can assure you they will photograph beautifully. 

Select your Attire

My number one advice here: Avoid the big bridal shops. You’re in a crunch here and need your dream dress soon! There’s nothing worse than falling in love with your dream dress, only to find out that it won’t arrive in time. You need a shop that will get you a dress quickly, or allow you to buy off the rack. Don’t fret, they exist! 

For the bride who MUST get the couture bridal gown experience: Make an appointment at LD Couture in Buckley for the best local experience possible. She carries over a hundred dresses in her local shop (Plus sizes too!) and has something for every budget and taste. Want a black dress? She’s got several and the ability to order others. Patterns? Yep. Classic white gowns? Those too! 

If you’re a bit more laid back and just want something pretty, Amazon is an excellent option. I’ve had brides who’ve ordered 5-10 dresses from Amazon, tried them all on at home and just kept the one they loved! 

Grooms are always the easiest to buy for. Snag a nice jacket and some slacks, maybe some suspenders. Add a bowtie and voila! Groom done. 

Apply for your marriage license

Add a reminder to your phone now: 2-4 weeks in advance of your wedding day, take the day off work and head down to your local auditor’s office with your pre-filled license application. This is the fastest way to get the license in your hands. (You can apply online, but waiting for approval can take weeks. When we applied in person for ours, it took us an hour or so and then we were on our way with the license in hand.)

Once you have your license, there’s a 3 day waiting period in Washington, then you have 60 days to have your ceremony performed. 

Secure the other details

Now’s the time to secure those last details, whether it’s florals, food or just a dinner reservation after your ceremony. Be sure to consider where you’ll spend the night after your wedding and if you have any out of town guests that need accommodations. Depending on the size of your wedding, you may need signage, programs or other stationary. However, if you’re keeping it simple, you can possibly skip this section all together! 

For a list of our favorite wedding vendors (many of whom offer small packages) visit our Recommended Vendors Page. And if you’re needing help planning your honeymoon, Markie’s also a travel advisor and can help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams! 

Enjoy your wedding day

Whether you’re hosting a full wedding or eloping, you just planned one of the biggest days of your life in 90 days or less. I’m proud of you! Now sit back, relax and enjoy your wedding day then head off into the sunset for your honeymoon.