Three-Month Micro Wedding Timeline at a Glance
Yes, you can plan a micro wedding in three months. With a smaller guest list, fewer moving parts and the right team, a DC micro wedding or Chicago micro wedding comes together beautifully on a short timeline.
We hear it all the time: "Is it too late to plan a wedding this year?" Usually, the answer is no. Traditional weddings often take 12 to 18 months to plan, but micro weddings are a different story. Fewer guests means more venue options, faster decisions and far less to manage.
Whether you just got engaged, want to beat a big life milestone, or simply don't want a long engagement, here's exactly what planning a micro wedding in three months looks like with Tiny Wedding Collective.
Step 1: Booking Your Micro Wedding Planner
After your inquiry call, we'll send a proposal with a short questionnaire (names, wedding date and so on.) Your answers populate your contract. To move forward, you'll sign the contract with your first and last names and pay the retainer. Once we have both, you're officially booked and we'll save your date.
Have questions about the proposal or want to request changes? Just ask. We're happy to customize whatever we can.
Step 2: Onboarding and Finding Your Micro Wedding Venue
As soon as you book, you'll get an onboarding email with our preferred venue and vendor lists, access to your personalized wedding day playbook, next steps and a link to schedule your first planning call.
On that call, we'll walk through what the next three months will look like. If you haven't found a venue, caterer or restaurant yet, we'll dig into your guest count, budget and vision for the day.
From there, our team builds a shortlist of DC or Chicago venues and restaurants that fit your brief. We'll connect you with your favorites so you can schedule tours. Once you choose, we'll review the venue contract for you and you'll book.
Step 3: Three Months Out
With your venue booked, it's time to round out your vendor team. If you booked an all-inclusive package, your day-of coordinator, photographer, officiant, florist and wedding cake are already taken care of.
At this point, some couples add a hair and makeup artist, transportation or live music. If that feels overwhelming, don't worry. We'll share a shortlist of our favorite local vendors so that you don’t have to spend hours and hours researching and vetting local vendors.
You'll also complete your 3 Month Out Questionnaire, where you'll decide on colors, florals and any additional coverage time. Our team then starts building your timeline, gathers input from your vendors and schedules a call to review it with you. You also get unlimited email access to us so we’ll be in touch in between these calls, as well!
If your package includes an officiant, we'll introduce you so you can meet and design a ceremony that's unique and personal to you.
Step 4: One Month Out
This is when your venue will ask for detailed logistics, like meal choices and floor plans. We'll help you with all of it so you’re not feeling overwhelmed with decision fatigue or stress.
You'll fill out your 1 Month Out Questionnaire, covering the fine details: processional order, song selections, decor, seating and everything in between. We'll talk it all through on a call and make sure your wedding day playbook is complete.
Then we take over vendor communication. We'll confirm with every vendor when and where to be and who their day-of point of contact is, so the two of you can simply enjoy the final weeks before the wedding.
Step 5: The Wedding Day
On your wedding day, you have one job: marry the love of your life.
Your day-of coordinator acts as the liaison between you, your venue and your vendors. They keep the timeline moving and cue the processional, music, dinner service and any toasts or dances during your celebration. Depending on how much time you've included with your coordinator, we'll also handle any setup and breakdown.
Step 6: After the Wedding
If your package includes a photographer, you'll receive an online gallery of edited, high-resolution photos 6 to 8 weeks after the wedding. You can download them, share the link with family and friends, and order prints or an album.
Three-Month Micro Wedding Planning FAQ
Can you plan a micro wedding in three months? Yes. Micro weddings have fewer guests and fewer moving parts, so three months is plenty of time to plan a DC or Chicago micro wedding with the right team.
How far in advance should you book a micro wedding venue? For a three-month timeline, book your venue within the first few weeks. Smaller guest counts open up more options, like restaurants, private dining rooms and smaller venues with last-minute availability.
What is the best season for a short-timeline wedding? January through March is off season in both DC and Chicago, so venues and vendors have more open dates. Weekday weddings are another great way to find availability quickly.
What vendors do I need for a micro wedding? Most micro weddings need a venue, an officiant, a photographer, florals and a coordinator, plus catering if you're hosting a meal. Tiny Wedding Collective's all-inclusive package covers the coordinator, photographer, officiant, florist and cake.
How much does a micro wedding with Tiny Wedding Collective cost? Our all-inclusive micro wedding packages start at $4,875 Monday through Thursday and $5,090 Friday through Sunday. Each includes three planning calls, day-of coordination, a legal ceremony with an officiant, a photographer, two floral designs and a small celebration cake.
You Don't Need a Long Engagement to Have a Beautiful Wedding
A long engagement isn't a requirement for a meaningful, beautiful wedding day. With a micro wedding, three months is enough time to find a venue you love, build a great vendor team and plan every detail without the stress.
That's exactly what we're here for. We handle the planning, the logistics and the vendor wrangling so you can focus on each other.
Ready to plan your DC or Chicago micro wedding in three months or less?