Wedding Planning List: 100 Days Before Your Wedding in Sri Lanka

Reaching the 100-day mark before your wedding is an exciting milestone. You've moved past the big decisions. Your venue is booked, vendors are secured, and now it's time to refine the details that will make your Sri Lankan celebration truly unforgettable. These final 14 weeks are when your vision transforms into reality, blending modern elegance with rich cultural traditions that make Sri Lankan weddings so special.

Whether you're planning an intimate poruwa ceremony in Colombo, a grand celebration in Kandy, or a destination wedding along the coast, this timeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Let's walk through exactly what needs your attention and when.

Why the 100-Day Wedding Planning Mark Matters in Sri Lanka

The 100-day countdown is crucial for Sri Lankan weddings because local vendors typically require final confirmations two to three months before your date. Traditional performers like Kandyan dancers and drummers book their schedules 90 to 100 days ahead, especially during peak wedding season from December through March. Premium venues and decorators in Colombo, Galle, and Kandy operate on tight schedules during festive periods, making this the perfect time to lock in those final details.

What should already be complete? Your venue should be booked. Core vendors like your photographer, videographer, caterer, and decorator should be secured with deposits paid. Your guest list should be approximately 80 percent finalized. Wedding attire should be ordered. If you're following traditional customs, you should have consulted with an astrologer for auspicious timing.

Days 100-85: Legal Requirements and Guest Finalization

How Do We Handle Marriage Registration in Sri Lanka?

Start your legal documentation immediately at the 100-day mark. Sri Lankan marriage registration involves specific requirements that take several weeks to complete. If either partner is a foreign national, you'll need to fulfill a four-day residency requirement before the marriage can be registered.

Gather essential documents now. You'll need valid passports, birth certificates, and single status certificates. These documents often need notarization and authentication, which takes time if you're obtaining them from abroad. Book an appointment with your local Divisional Registrar or District Registrar office. Government offices can have two to three-week waiting periods during wedding season. Documentation processing typically costs LKR 10,000 to 25,000 depending on expedited services needed.

What's the Best Way to Finalize Our Guest Count?

Your final headcount affects everything from seating to catering quantities and gift bags. Sri Lankan weddings traditionally include extended family and community members, creating larger, more fluid guest lists than Western-style celebrations. While digital RSVP tools help track responses, many Sri Lankan guests prefer confirming through phone calls. This is especially true for older relatives who may not be comfortable with online forms.

Here's a practical tip. Plan for 10 to 15 percent more guests than your confirmed RSVP count. Last-minute additions are common in Sri Lankan celebrations where refusing family requests would be considered impolite. This buffer prevents scrambling for extra seating or food at the last minute. Start your seating arrangements now, grouping guests by family connections, but remain flexible as confirmations arrive.

Days 85-70: Vendor Confirmations and Cultural Elements

Which Vendors Need Final Details Now?

This two-week period is critical for confirming specifics with all your vendors.

Your caterer needs your final menu. Include traditional dishes like lamprais, pittu, and hoppers alongside any fusion options. Confirm dietary requirements and provide your latest guest count. Quality catering in Colombo ranges from LKR 3,500 to 8,000 per person. Schedule a final tasting if you haven't already.

Your florist needs your color palette confirmed. Finalize centerpieces and mandap or poruwa decorations. Sri Lanka's seasonal flowers like orchids, lotus, and araliya create stunning arrangements, though prices spike during festive seasons. Discuss backup options if preferred flowers become unavailable.

Your photographer and videographer need your shot list. Include traditional moments like the poruwa ceremony, jayamangala gatha recitation, oil lamp lighting, and betel leaf exchange. Provide your wedding timeline so they can plan coverage strategically.

Your decorator needs final theme confirmation. Discuss your setup schedule and rental items. Cover traditional elements like brass oil lamps, cloth draping, and coconut floral arrangements. Plan backup options for outdoor decorations if weather turns.

How Do We Arrange Traditional Performances?

Traditional Kandyan dancers and drummers add authentic cultural richness to your celebration. Professional performance groups cost between LKR 50,000 to 150,000 depending on the number of performers, duration, and reputation. Book them now. The best groups have limited availability during peak season.

If you're including a poruwa ceremony, confirm the platform will be provided by your venue or decorator. Ensure it matches your vision while respecting traditional design. You'll need someone knowledgeable to conduct the ceremony properly. This could be a family elder or professional ceremonial expert. Coordinate with your astrologer regarding the nekath, which is the auspicious time for your ceremony. Make sure all vendors know this specific timing for proper coordination.

Days 70-50: Attire and Beauty Preparations

When Should Dress Fittings Happen?

Schedule two to three fittings during this period. Traditional Kandyan bridal wear rentals range from LKR 75,000 to 300,000. If you're purchasing, costs can range from LKR 200,000 to over 1,500,000 depending on craftsmanship.

Your first fitting allows for major adjustments to fit and silhouette. The second fitting confirms those changes and identifies final tweaks. The final fitting about two weeks before your wedding ensures everything is perfect.

Don't forget your groom's outfit and wedding party attire. Coordinating multiple people requires time and patience, so start early rather than waiting until the last minute.

How Do We Plan Beauty Trials?

Book hair and makeup trials 60 to 70 days before your wedding. Choose beauticians experienced with Sri Lanka's humid climate. Weather conditions require specific makeup products and setting techniques. Waterproof formulas and tropical climate expertise ensure you look flawless through hours of celebration.

Start pre-wedding beauty treatments now. Schedule facials, hair masks, and skin treatments to ensure glowing skin on your wedding day. Avoid trying completely new treatments within the final month. Stick with what works for your skin.

Bridal packages with top Colombo salons range from LKR 75,000 to 200,000. These packages typically include trials, wedding day services, and sometimes touch-ups throughout your celebration.

Days 50-30: Invitations and Accommodation

When Should Invitations Be Sent?

Mail invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding. This means sending them between 50 and 40 days before your celebration, accounting for postal delays. Many couples use digital invitations via WhatsApp or email for convenience, though traditional printed cards remain popular with older relatives. Printed invitations cost LKR 150 to 800 per card depending on quality and design.

Honor the Sri Lankan custom of hand-delivering invitations to close family members and respected elders. This personal touch shows respect and allows meaningful conversations about your celebration.

Your invitations should include accommodation information for destination guests. Add clear venue directions since GPS isn't always reliable in all parts of Sri Lanka. Include dress code details, especially if you're incorporating traditional elements.

How Do We Arrange Guest Accommodations?

Block hotel rooms 50 to 60 days before your wedding, especially during tourist season. Many hotels offer 10 to 15 percent discounts for blocks of 10 or more rooms. Choose hotels at various price points to accommodate different budgets, and prioritize proximity to your venue.

Arrange transportation from the airport to hotels and from hotels to your venue. Shared shuttles or organized transportation helps guests feel welcomed and cared for.

Create welcome packages for out-of-town guests. Include local snacks, bottled water, detailed itineraries, local attraction information, and contact details for designated helpers who can answer questions. These thoughtful touches significantly improve the guest experience.

Days 30-14: Timeline and Weather Planning

What Goes Into the Wedding Day Timeline?

Create an hour-by-hour schedule starting with your nekath, the auspicious time for your ceremony. Work backward to plan preparation times, then forward for reception events. Traditional Sri Lankan weddings span four to six hours.

Include specific vendor details in your timeline. Note when decorators can access the venue for setup, when caterers should begin final preparations, sound check schedules, and when traditional performers should be ready.

Distribute this comprehensive timeline to all vendors, your wedding party, and key family members two weeks before your celebration. Assign one trusted person to coordinate on the day, allowing you to enjoy each moment.

Build 30 to 45-minute buffers for travel between locations. Traffic in Colombo and major cities can be unpredictable, especially during festivals or rush hours.

How Do We Prepare for Weather?

Check extended forecasts starting 30 days before your wedding. Understand monsoon patterns in Sri Lanka. The southwest monsoon affects western and southern coasts from May through September. The northeast monsoon impacts eastern and northern regions from October through January. Even outside monsoon season, afternoon showers are common in Sri Lanka's tropical climate.

Ensure your venue has covered alternatives for outdoor elements or can deploy tents quickly if needed. Prepare guest comfort items for the day. Have hand fans available for ceremonies, set up water stations throughout the venue, and ensure adequate shade. Daytime weddings can reach 30 to 33 degrees Celsius with high humidity, so guest comfort should be a priority.

Days 7-1: Final Preparations

What Last-Minute Tasks Need Attention?

Confirm all vendors three to five days before your wedding. Make phone calls to ensure everyone remembers their commitments and has the correct timing.

Collect your marriage license from the Registrar's office if you haven't already. Hold your rehearsal one to two days before. Walk through ceremony entrances, poruwa positions, and exits with your wedding party. This rehearsal helps everyone feel confident about their roles.

Prepare your emergency kit now. Include safety pins, stain remover, pain medication, tissues, touch-up makeup, and bobby pins. Assign someone in your wedding party to keep this accessible throughout your celebration.

Prepare vendor tip envelopes if tipping is part of your budget. Ensure final pressing and steaming of wedding attire two to three days before. Schedule the groom's haircut five to seven days before your wedding, never the day before. This allows time for adjustment if the cut isn't quite right.

How Do We Stay Calm?

Delegate responsibilities to trusted wedding party members. You don't need to handle every small decision personally. Empower others to make minor choices on your behalf.

Schedule self-care during this final week. Book a couples massage, enjoy a quiet dinner without discussing wedding planning, or spend an evening doing something completely unrelated to your celebration. These moments help you maintain perspective and reconnect with why you're celebrating in the first place.

Trust your planning and your vendors. Minor details won't matter in your memories. What you'll remember are the emotions, the joy of being surrounded by loved ones, and the significance of your commitment.

Stay hydrated and maintain regular sleep. Eat nutritious meals and get adequate rest. Your health and energy directly impact how you'll feel on your wedding day.

Your Sri Lankan Wedding Journey

Your 100-day countdown is an exciting journey toward celebrating your love story in paradise. Sri Lankan weddings uniquely blend timeless traditions with contemporary elegance. From sacred poruwa ceremony moments to joyful reception celebrations, every element comes together to create lasting memories.

This checklist guides you through essential tasks, but remember that your wedding ultimately reflects your unique relationship and values. Personalize these recommendations based on what matters most to you, whether that's honoring every traditional custom or creating a fusion celebration that blends cultures and styles.

At Cherish Luxury, we understand the intricate details and cultural significance of Sri Lankan celebrations.

We know that planning here involves balancing modern logistics with traditional customs. It requires coordinating diverse vendors and creating experiences that honor both families while reflecting your personal vision. With careful planning and attention to Sri Lankan traditions and practical details, your wedding day will be everything you've dreamed of and more. It's a beautiful beginning to your married life together.

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