How to plan a wedding: Tie up loose ends with three months to go

Ceremony details

If you put off finding an officiant, ask a friend or family member to do it. “If a friend is writing a ceremony for you, it can get lost in the shuffle, so remind them to do it now,” said Allison Davis, a New York-based wedding planner.

Vows

The same goes for handwritten vows. “Some people know they can’t write until it’s the night before, but if you need time to reflect and prepare, give yourself three months. The more time you give yourself to work on the ceremony and vows, the better.”

Speeches and toasts 

Now’s the perfect time to decide who (if anyone) will give speeches and toasts. Tradition dictates that, aside from the couple, only the father of the bride, maid of honor and best man give toasts at the reception. But you can opt out of all three or swap in anyone you like. You could also ask people to give speeches at the rehearsal dinner to cut down on the toasting during the reception. Either way, it’s nice to give them a few months to think about what to say.

Alterations

Fixes to a wedding dress should happen eight to 12 weeks before your wedding, according to alterations specialist and The Wedding Dresser owner Susan Ruddie. “Most fitters do three fittings for a wedding dress,” she says. That way, it’ll be ready a comfortable 30 days out. Suits, bridesmaid dresses and any other wedding outfits only require about two to three weeks for alterations, but . . . if you can do it earlier, why not?

Finish the look

Hair and makeup trials generally happen two to three months before a wedding for anyone who desires an elaborate beauty look. (Male-identifying individuals and any friends or family getting the royal treatment don’t need a trial.)

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