For whatever reason, you’ve found yourself in the midst of planning a last minute wedding. Sometimes, when looking at the entire picture, you become overwhelmed and begin to panic. It’s very possible to put together a beautiful wedding in a short amount of time.
The best thing to do, before you begin actual planning is to mentally prepare yourself. Accept that you will need to make quick decisions. Have your finances in order and readily available to dispense. Resolve yourself not to get caught up in small details. Time just doesn’t allow for it. Don’t set your heart on exact details or things that you must do because given time constraints, it just might be feasible. Keep an open mind and be flexible. This will save a lot of stress, time and energy. Now, take a deep breath, exhale, and dig in.
Having a checklist will prove to be a lifesaver. Start with this checklist. First, go through it and eliminate every single thing you can do without. Even if you want it, try to let it go. The most important thing in planning a last minute wedding is to keep it as simple as possible. After you’ve eliminated what you can live without, go through it section by section according to your ceremony date. Adjust the timeline of events in accordance with your date.
This will likely happen. If possible, hire a wedding coordinator just for the location and reception. If this isn’t possible, try and delegate this task to someone you really trust. This will save you from panic and stress. Try and think outside the box in selecting a location. Consider party halls, restaurants with separate banquet rooms, parks with covered picnic areas, church halls, civic auditoriums, hotel banquet rooms, the grounds or courtyards of museums and/or historical landmarks. Since it is a last minute wedding, try and arrange the ceremony and the reception in one place.
For food, if your location doesn’t provide it, you can usually find restaurants that will prepare platters of food in case you can’t book an outside caterer. Or, if you have family and friends with chef experience, ask them to take this responsibility.
At this point, you can refer to your checklist and go in chronological order. Remember, the most important thing at this point is to delegate where ever it’s possible.
Invitations
You may have difficulty finding a printer who can prepare invitations quickly. Consider printing or hand writing your own. You may also go to ewedding and set up your own wedding website that allows you to share a relationship timeline, lets people RSVP on your site and sends you a message via text when they do. Since this is a last minute wedding, this site could come in handy for expediting the communication process between you and guests.
Let There Be Cake
If professional bakeries are booked, try large grocery store chains or consider finding someone to bake and decorate your cake for you. If you don’t know anyone, check the local papers, churches and Craigslist for independent cake decorators.
Flowers
Check local super centers and farmers markets. Also, try and choose flowers that are in season because usually they are reasonable in price.
Say Cheese (Pictures)
The easiest way to book a photographer is to find a family member or friend who will take pictures. With the advanced technology in digital cameras, many of them take beautiful pictures that look as good as when professionals take photos.
This is exactly what bridal retail outlets specialize in. Try to look for David’s Bridal, or look them up online, if you have enough time. You can easily find a wedding dress as well as bridesmaid’s dresses and these outlets are usually budget conscious. Also, for bridesmaids, you may consider going to a department store and finding dresses there or simply telling them to choose a dress in a specific color and not hassle with trying to have matching dresses.
For the men, consider dress uniforms if enlisted in the military, an active member of a police or fire department or any other organization that has dress uniforms. You may also consider having them wear suits with a specific color tie or shirt.
If you keep it simple, remain flexible and remember to delegate, your last minute wedding can be just as amazing as one that’s been planned for months. We are the wedding experts and we’re here to help. Contact us today so we can assist you in making your wedding the most beautiful day of your life.
