There’s no one way to plan a wedding, and at Magheramorne we welcome couples every day who have their own unique approach. Some love a long engagement where they can savour every detail, planning a year or more in advance. Others can’t wait to get to the altar and are keen to pull out all the stops to deliver their big day on a schedule.
Life, family, work, finances and timing all have a way of shaping the journey and, should you find yourself in the mindset of “Let’s do this now!”, we truly believe that you can have an exceptional wedding in as little as 100 days.
A shorter planning period can be focused, exciting and surprisingly freeing. With clear priorities, trusted suppliers and a venue with a team that knows how to guide the process, planning a wedding in 100 days is not only possible, it can be a genuinely enjoyable experience.
Budget
Boring as it is, the journey starts here. Sit down and work out what you are willing to spend.
Now prioritise! What matters most to you? The number of friends and family you can invite? A designer dress to make you feel amazing? Delicious food? Entertainment?
Keep this in mind as you move forward and keep a careful track of how your budget is faring along the way.
Guest List
Now you have an idea of how much you can spend, take time to consider who you want to be there. This needs to be locked in early to ensure your venue can accommodate your numbers and that accommodation is nearby,
A tighter planning window often means a more considered guest list, which can be a blessing. At Magheramorne we can host weddings up to 180 people, however we can also arrange weddings in our beautiful Drawing Room for more intimate celebrations.
Venue
Set up viewings of your preferred venues ASAP. Start by downloading brochures to get an idea of what is available. If possible, view a digital tour on your venue’s website to enable you to discount some options and save time before you start scheduling viewings.
Gary Hanna, Wedding & Events Sales Manager at Magheramorne says, “Look at the venue with your head and your heart. Make sure you choose a venue that regularly hosts weddings, has experienced coordinators and can recommend trusted suppliers who already know the space and will be ready to hit the ground running. But then take time to enjoy a coffee together in the space. Can you see your family dancing in our Ballroom? Your friends enjoying a cocktail tower in the gardens? Viewings can be an opportunity to make really lovely memories as a couple, and we always make sure it’s a special experience.”
What about availability? Ruth Nugent, our Senior Wedding & Events Planner has some helpful advice. “When it comes to booking a wedding at short notice, you may be able to secure a last minute date, or may need to be flexible and look at off-peak days or months. Either way, make sure that you choose a venue that regularly hosts weddings, has experienced coordinators and can recommend trusted suppliers who already know the space and will be ready to hit the ground running.”
Remember to consider accommodation for your guests. A last minute wedding can mean guests paying escalated hotel room rates for a nearby place to stay. Connor Duncan, Guest Experience Manager, says, “At Magheramorne we keep our room rates consistent across the year, even for last minute weddings, so there are no nasty surprises for your family and friends. It makes for a very convenient and relaxed wedding when people are just steps away from a great night’s sleep. And it’s great to catch up together at breakfast too!”
When your viewings are complete and your date is secured, everything else can move at pace. That was quick! You’re getting married!
Catering and Drinks
Choosing a venue with in-house catering is a huge advantage on a short timeline. This will save on time spent reviewing and comparing outside caterers.
If food is a priority to you, ensure that you choose a venue that is renowned for its dining, and has the reviews to back it up. With almost 40 years of experience, Jane’s Kitchen at Magheramorne Estate is well positioned to exceed all your expectations. From formal dining to casual barbecues, we cater to all tastes.
When you meet with your wedding planner you will need to make decisions on:
- The style of dining for your meal (formal, relaxed, sharing)
- Whether you want to offer guests afternoon drinks packages and refreshments, e.g. afternoon tea, grazing stations, canapes, tea and coffee or bubbles
- Whether you want to have evening food, whether light bites or something more substantial
At Magheramorne we will also be able to discuss additional options to add some “wow factor” to your experience, whether a cocktail tower, gin bar, our enormous cheese plank, a dessert bar, our now legendary giant desserts or our iconic Dessert Walk.
Photos by Treasure Box, Danny Morton and Colin Ross
If you are struggling to make a decision about menu choices, we offer private tasting experiences for couples. Booked by appointment with our team, these allow you to taste 2 starters, 2 main courses, recommended wines, and 2 desserts with tea and coffee, with multiple dessert options available for couples who wish to offer their guests a dessert bar or assiette of desserts on their wedding day.
Remember to capture dietary requirements for your guests – the sooner the better. We would recommend that this is done when you are sending out your invitations.
Celebrant, Registrar, Church or Chapel?
Consider whether you want a religious ceremony, humanist ceremony, or a civil ceremony. Celebrants, registrars and churches book up fast, so this is one of the first calls to make after your venue is secured.
If flexibility is needed, celebrants can often offer more flexibility than registrars at short notice, and can carry out your ceremony at a licensed venue like Magheramorne Estate, cutting down on decision making before the wedding and logistical demands on the day itself.
If you decide to go down the route of using a celebrant, they will take time to get to know you as a couple before writing your ceremony. Ensure that they have availability to meet a tighter than usual deadline. We have it on good authority that this is possible!
But what about the legal side of an on-site ceremony? Humanist celebrant Jean Barrett Quinn says, “If a couple has a celebrant chosen, their venue chosen and their Notice of Marriage forms signed by their celebrant (along with the supporting ID) and ready to submit, they could be married 28 days from now. The absolute minimum timeframe the council will accept for the legal forms to be submitted is 28 days. Although I would recommend trying to give yourself a bit more time if possible!”
Looking for a religious service at the estate? Pastor J.T. Clarke says, “For the past 10 years I’ve been extremely blessed to be involved in the wedding industry, and as a local church Pastor who has seen the change in wedding ceremony venues, should a couple decide not to have their ceremony within their own church building (for whatever reason) I see it as a big part of my ministry to bring a little bit of church with me to the likes of Magheramore Estate.”
Invitations
This needs to be locked in early to ensure your loved ones can attend, so get your invites underway ASAP.
You will need to include all the key information about the day, but also additional elements such as dietary requirements and accommodation booking details. Make sure the invite is clear and sent early so people can make plans.
Mark from Perfect Day Print says, “People really need to be coming to us no later than the 100 days for invites. It’s then about 1 month before if they require any on the day stationery – we are flexible in terms of creations and print in house.” Mark lists some of the essentials as being orders of service, welcome signs, table plans, menus, and place cards
If printed invites aren’t an option, a digital mechanism for collecting responses can really help. Simply export the responses and you’ve saved on a lot of manual admin!
Get Dressed To Impress
This is often a major worry with short deadlines, particularly when it comes to wedding dresses.
“The majority of our gowns are available as take-home samples, which means you can try on your favourite styles and leave the boutique with your dress the very same day. This is perfect for brides working to a tighter timeline – all you need to do is book a Take Home Appointment,” says Charis at Verona Bridal. “Veils usually take around four weeks to arrive, so they can easily be ordered new and still be ready for your big day.”
Rebecca at Curvy Chic Bridal agrees, “A tight deadline doesn’t mean settling; between off-the-rail gowns, rental bridal gowns, designer stock and rush services, there’s usually a great solution that leaves the bride with a dress they love.”
Many high street brands offer ready-to-wear bridal collections and non-traditional bridal looks may also be an option for the modern bride in a hurry.
With suits, bridesmaids and groomswear, the same rules apply! Speak to bridal and suit retailers who offer rush orders or off the peg, or avoid long lead times by looking at high street or hire options.
Entertainment
Depending on your tastes and budget you may decide to have entertainment at various points across your day. Some popular options at the estate are:
- Acoustic performer, musician or singer for the ceremony
- Acoustic act or classical performers for the drinks reception
- A band or DJ to get the party started in the evening
- A ceilidh for a traditional touch
Emily Rose, who provides live acoustic music for weddings, has some wise words for the last-minute wedding – and she should know! She planned her own wedding in 28 days! “Whether you’re planning your wedding in less than 100 days or 1000 days, your wedding music will still be one of the most emotionally defining elements of your day, carrying feeling and atmosphere through every moment. Time doesn’t create meaning; thoughtful choices and experienced hands do.”
“One of the biggest misconceptions around shorter engagements is availability. In reality, if you don’t ask, you don’t get, and couples are often surprised by who can be available at shorter notice, particularly in the quieter seasons of the year.”
Harpist Les Magee echoes this sentiment. “I’ve taken bookings 1-2 weeks in advance of weddings! If it’s a key date there may be less choice but if you’ve a professional musician at the helm this is doable, even with specially requested music too!”
Our Ballroom has its own PA system so you can save on the hassle and cost of organising a “back line” for your entertainment in the evening. We also have a wide range of contacts in the entertainment sector who we are happy to recommend.
Photography and Videography
When it comes to capturing your day, social media is a great place to start. Peruse your venue’s Instagram and look for wedding photos or videos that appeal to you. Good venues will always credit the supplier in the captions, so you will be able to track them down! You can also ask the wedding planner at your venue, who should have a list of recommended suppliers.
Popular suppliers book far in advance, but flexibility helps. If you have gone with an off-season wedding or off-peak day, you should be able to secure one of your favourites.
When it comes to lead time, photographer Kalie Reid is raring to go, despite her busy schedule. “If I have the date free I could shoot a wedding with a few days’ notice if necessary!”
This is exactly the kind of positivity we need!
Flowers
Flowers can really help bring the rooms of your venue and key moments of your day to life. Seasonal blooms are your friend and will help keep the look fresh and costs down.
When it comes to choosing a florist, take a look at social media to find someone whose work you love. It is also useful to choose a supplier who has experience of your venue as this will give them a “map” in their head of how arrangements can be used across the day and the various spaces, from ceremony, to bouquets, to your tables.
Kim of Victoriana Floral says, “Most florists are booked up to two years in advance but certainly in our case we only design a limited number of weddings each year so can have last minute availability.”
She also emphasises a degree of “free reign” to help speed up the process. “Try not to micro manage your florist. Give them a loose brief, for example, a colour palette and style you love, then trust them to be creative and design something beautiful for you.”
Styling, Décor and Details
This is where people can lose time. For a shorter planning window, choose a venue who has existing resources such as furniture and lighting that you can work with, and has a strong relationship with suppliers that will help ease the burden.
An experienced venue like Magheramorne will be able to offer you guidance on table choices, linens, lighting and other details that will make your day look truly beautiful. We can show you images and videos of various room set-ups, such as long or round table, to help you make key decisions.
At Magheramorne, we have lots of little added extras which incur no extra costs, such as stunning house flowers, beautiful outdoor canopies and furniture, a grand piano, and mood lighting, all of which help to add detail without the added cost.
Hair & Make-up
When it comes to finding the perfect hair and make-up artist to help you feel your best, Olivia Muldoon, NI Bridal Makeup & Bridal Stylist of the Year 2025, reinforces that brides need to be decisive and trust their suppliers.
“When choosing a hair and makeup artist, look beyond just pretty photos. Check consistency in their work, read reviews and make sure their style and vibe aligns with how you want to feel on the day,” she says, “Availability can be tighter with short timelines, so be prepared to book quickly and secure your date with a deposit.”
Photos by Iain Irwin, make-up by Olivia Muldoon
What about trials to make sure the look is exactly what a bride wants? Olivia says that good artists will make this happen, even on a short timeline. “Trials can still absolutely happen – many artists will prioritise fitting you in midweek, and in some cases can even work via video call, using detailed consultations and inspiration photos if time is limited,” she says. “The key is choosing a professional who brings calm, organisation and confidence to the morning – that reassurance becomes even more valuable when planning on a shorter timeline.”
Catherine of Pro Hair By Catherine adds, “The best way to check my availability is via email. If however I am unavailable, I have a contact group with other bridal hairstylists to try and help brides with their hairstylist for their big day so they aren’t stuck.”
She also has some top tips for planning accessories for your look, whether you already have these or are planning what to buy; “If you’re considering hair accessories, flowers or a veil for your wedding look, chat with your stylist. If you can bring these to your trial even better! Choosing the right hair accessories or hair flowers can be hard so if you’re not sure ask your stylist when you have chosen your wedding hairstyle and they should be able to advise you what suits best and a few recommendations of where to get these.”
Ready to get hitched?
We truly hope that this information is helpful to you as you plan your big day, and perhaps offers some food for thought.
If a shorter wedding timeline appeals to you, we are here to help and bring your vision to life. Our expert team are just an email or phone call away, and a warm welcome awaits you at Magheramorne Estate.
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