Last-Minute Wedding Planning: Things to Know

There are many reasons why some people decide to have a last-minute wedding. It might be that you are forced into it through unforeseen circumstances, it might be that you have chosen not to have a long and stressful build-up to the big day, or maybe you just want to be married as quickly as possible.

If you are looking for an extravagant affair with every intricate detail planned down to a tee, a last-minute wedding might not be for you. However, if you are looking for a relatively simple, honest celebration with the two of you being the main focus, there’s no reason why you can’t have a last-minute wedding.

If you are planning a wedding and have decided that you just can’t wait for a long engagement, here are some things that you should know when it comes to a last-minute wedding:

Make a List

The first thing that you should think about if you are organising a wedding in a short amount of time is to make a check-list. It can be easy to forget things and the pressure of potentially forgetting something can make stress levels rocket up.

There are plenty of wedding check-lists available where you can cross things off as you organise them and to keep you safe in the knowledge that nothing has been forgotten.

Outfits

Gone are the days of the bridesmaids all wearing the same (often unflattering) bridesmaid dresses. Today’s more modern approach means that treasured loved ones and friends can choose styles that suit them individually, meaning that everyone looks great in the wedding photos. Stick to a particular colour or detail which will tie them (and you) together, and they will glow almost as much as the bride.

As long as you have the correct measurements for the groom, suits can be hired quickly and easily online or in the high street – often with next day delivery. That doesn’t mean that you should leave it until the day before to get suits, but don’t stress about not having much time to organise them.

Save the Date

With any last-minute wedding, the idea of sending out a save the date card is slightly redundant. However, you still might want to advise people of your wedding date before you have managed to sort out invitations. To save you time on this (you don’t want to have to be waiting for wedding stationery to arrive) a nice email will suffice – or if you and your lot are into social media, how about you set it up as a Facebook event? This will not only allow people to chat about the big day and share photos afterwards but will also help people to keep in touch.

Flowers

Flowers are not only lovely to look at, but they can also offer a wealth of solutions to last-minute issues. You can use flowers for the decoration of your venue, on tables and even as favours. Don’t worry about creating big arrangements, sometimes fewer flowers in a simple arrangement can look better anyway – or maybe you could go for a shabby chic look.

If you are looking to save time and money on a wedding cake, why not make your own and decorate it with some beautiful fresh flowers? An added bonus to this is that you can choose your favourite kind of cake and flavours.

Don’t Forget the Paperwork

As much as we can all get caught up in the fluff and excitement around a wedding, the main point of getting married is to have that piece of paper that links you together forever. It is important to make sure that you get the paperwork done before the wedding. You can find out more about the legal process of getting married here.

Wedding Planners

If you think that the last minute-ness of a last-minute wedding might be too much for you, think about getting a wedding planner to help you out. If you can articulate to them about all of your wedding ideas, they will endeavour to make your dreams come true – whilst ensuring that it is kept within budget.

A wedding planner can take the strain off you – allowing you to enjoy the build-up to the big day and can often get great deals through their contacts.

Planning a last-minute wedding can be stressful if you’re not prepared. However, there are ways that you can make it easier without compromising on the experience of your wedding. If you remember the bigger picture and the reason why you’re getting married you can be sure that it’ll go off without a hitch.

By Ella Hendrix