How To Plan A Last Minute Wedding

You might have frantically organized a wedding at the last minute because life can sometimes move quickly. First of all, congrats! Enjoy the roller coaster of emotions, regardless of why you hurriedly planned your special day. However, once the initial thrill disappears, you might feel overburdened by the last-minute wedding planning to-do lists, choices, and costs.

The good news is that planning a wedding on short notice is very feasible, and we are here to assist you in making the day seem unique and remarkable. Please keep reading for our cheat codes, advice, and wedding planning suggestions to help you realize your ideal wedding soon!

What is a last-minute wedding?

Although everyone has a different preferred timetable for wedding planning, most people begin the process at least a year in advance. Your wedding will be regarded as a last-minute wedding if it is scheduled for a few months in advance or less.

Even while planning a wedding on a tight schedule is entirely feasible, there can be specific challenges to consider. These last-minute wedding suggestions will help to streamline the planning process.

Last-minute wedding planning: get organized

The secret to organizing a last-minute wedding is to get started as soon as possible after the initial festivities with your new fiancé and family. Since you have a lot to do, dividing the event into manageable portions is beneficial to help you stay focused and composed. To compensate for lost planning time, it is essential to have a last-minute wedding checklist.

Here is our suggested method for organizing your last-minute wedding preparation if you're prepared to get started.

Set a realistic timeline and budget.

You probably already know when you want to tie the knot if you're organizing a last-minute wedding. Examine the calendar to begin creating your timeline, regardless of whether you have a precise date in mind, a date you'd like to get married by, or simply an approximate notion of the big day's arrival. Of course, you will have more time to plan if you are getting married far away, but with the correct mindset and preparation, a wedding can be organized in just a few weeks!

It's time to think about your finances after you've decided on a wedding date and schedule. You can reduce your alternatives and avoid wasting time at every stage if you know exactly how much you must spend. You may arrange a wedding for as little as $1000, so don't worry, even if a last-minute wedding can feel like a financial shock!

PRIORITIZE WHAT MATTERS MOST

You will realize that you might only be able to have some things at your last-minute wedding if you have the luxury of endless time to organize it. Your favourite photographer is booked a year in advance, or creating your ideal wedding gown will take months. Setting priorities is vital when arranging a last-minute wedding, even though having fewer alternatives can be discouraging.

This is a day to commemorate the beginning of the rest of your life, after all! Consider your last-minute wedding planning an adventure with a lifetime of bliss waiting on the other side, even if your budget or schedule causes problems.

Find your wedding venue.

Finding and securing a location is a crucial first step in wedding planning since it will guarantee your date. It's a good idea to pick an area to host your wedding ceremony and reception to save on the additional trouble of guest transportation.

It's always worth phoning around because dates can still be available due to cancellations, even though many well-known venues fill up in advance. Consider scheduling your last-minute wedding during a weekday to improve your chances of finding a location.

Consider non-traditional wedding venues.

If your first picks for a wedding location aren't available or don't fit into your last-minute budget, keep going. Even the most hurried wedding can benefit from one of the numerous imaginative and fashionable wedding location alternatives available today.

Here are a few unconventional wedding locations to think about:

  • A comfortable eatery
  • A beautiful park
  • Your home or backyard
  • A nearby beach

Many of them may be considerably more affordable or even accessible, even though the wedding venue is frequently the most costly aspect of a wedding!

Lock in vendors

It's crucial to reserve your vendors as soon as possible, even though you don't have to outsource every aspect of your wedding. You could be thinking about the following vendors:

  • Photographer and videographer
  • Wedding baker and caterer
  • Hairstylist and makeup artist
  • DJ or band officiant

Keep going if your top picks are available. Think about doing some of your services, such as creating your wedding music mix, or look for alternatives, such as getting your hair done at a nearby blowout bar. Try to enjoy the planning process and have faith that your wedding day will be ideal!

Create your guest list and send invitations.

Your guests must put you on their calendars, just like suppliers do. Sending out invitations as soon as possible is essential, regardless of whether you're hosting a big party or a small wedding.

The size of a last-minute wedding is unlimited. However, it might be simpler to organize a smaller guest list. If you want snail mail to take up only some of your valuable preparation time, send electronic invitations and establish a wedding website.

Decide on a wedding theme.

It's time to begin organizing the wedding's design aspects after the fundamentals of where and when have been determined. Although you have complete control over the design and scope of your wedding, choosing a theme early on can be beneficial. This implies that your theme can guide your choice regarding flowers, décor, gowns, and signage.

The season, the atmosphere of the location, and your general distinct style as a couple are some factors that will assist you in choosing your wedding theme. They will all influence your colour scheme, floral mood board, clothing code, and design inspiration. To store all your ideas in one location, now is also an excellent time to start making a Pinterest board!

Here are some wedding colour scheme suggestions from Flowersarch to spark your creativity.

Sunset Terracotta

The warm tones of the Terracotta wedding collection are lively and passionate, making them ideal for a rustic fall wedding.

Garden Blush

Garden Blush's fresh, pink energy will help you embrace the elegance of a garden party. It's a fun yet classic option for your wedding in the spring or summer.

Christmas Red & Sparkle

The holidays are the most romantic time of year, so think about having a last-minute Christmas wedding! This festive colour scheme will enhance your winter party and match your seasonal décor.

Find your wedding party outfits.

One of the first (and most exciting!) stages of wedding planning for many brides is shopping for their wedding gowns. However, you might have fewer possibilities to find your wedding dress, tux, or wedding party attire in the time allotted if your wedding is late minute.

Consider online, ready-to-wear, or rental options to expedite the procedure. Consider getting a variety of styles, putting them on at home, and returning any that don't fit properly. Additionally, pay attention to the ability of a nearby seamstress or tailor to perfect your wedding day outfit at the last minute! However, you might have to pay a high cost.

Alternatively, think of breaking the wedding conventions completely! It's your day to express yourself in any way you wish, whether dressing more casually for your guests, dressing up in a fun suit for the bride, or dressing up in a fantastic secondhand discovery for the groom.

Gather your wedding decor and flowers.

It's time to start gathering all the items you'll need for the wedding once you've chosen a theme. Although some locations provide all-inclusive packages, you might decide to do the décor design yourself if it's the last minute.

Faux florals: the best solution for a last-minute wedding

Using fake flowers is unquestionably our best wedding planning advice for last-minute weddings. Artificial arrangements from Flowersarch are far less expensive than real flowers and make a quick and simple addition to any wedding day.

Faux flowers are a practical and affordable choice for anything from your wedding bouquet to your ceremony flowers to your reception centrepieces. They can be set up beforehand, won't wilt, and aren't hampered by seasonal availability. You can also acquire them quickly! Your gorgeous Flowersarch flowers will arrive within seven business days if you include your wedding day with your order.

Hassle-free, prearranged wedding flower packages

Flowersarch also provides prearranged wedding flower packages to simplify your last-minute wedding preparations further. After selecting your colour scheme, you can choose from our premium wedding flower option, a venue flower package, or a bridal flower package. Even the most last-minute wedding may be more elegant with this easy, high-quality bundle that includes everything from table garlands to boutonnieres.

Ask your family or friends to help.

Utilizing your community's support is one of the best—yet frequently overlooked—tips for last-minute weddings. You may reduce some of the stress and create a priceless memory for the future by asking your friends and family to assist in making your wedding day a reality. Now is the Moment to rely on your loved ones for everything from making calls to venues and vendors to researching clothes or even creating the wedding cake.

Can you have a last-minute wedding?

All right, so you know how to organize a last-minute wedding in general. However, is it feasible for you and your schedule? It's common to want to avoid a hurried and anxious start to your wedding day because it's a significant life event.

Remember that it's only a day to celebrate your love, even though it could feel overwhelming. The fact that you and your fiancé are committing to one another is more significant than the extras and comforts. The remainder is merely a bonus!

Can we plan a wedding in a month?

Indeed! Use the last-minute wedding checklist above to make your wedding day a reality within a month, even if it is a blur. Given the short schedule, keep the following points in mind:

Manage your expectations

This does not necessarily have to be a bad thing! The best thing you can do for yourself is to avoid comparing your path to anyone else's because a month is a short period for wedding planning. What a fantastic moment of your life! Get thrilled, enjoy the process, and wallow in the craziness!

Embrace DIY

Being ready to handle some tasks will position you for success because you can become frustrated when some of your vendors cannot cooperate with you on such short notice. Taking charge of aspects of your wedding day, such as food and décor design, can seem thrilling and empowering.

How do you plan a wedding in a hurry? As in… 2 weeks?

Hey, there are instances when marriages take place in a matter of weeks! You may be aware there will be a rush if this is you. Even though you only have a few weeks to plan your wedding, it will still be the most memorable day of your life! The following advice can help you organize an incredibly last-minute wedding:

Keep it small

Our main advice is to keep your wedding small if you have a few weeks to arrange it. A pop-up or micro-wedding will remove much of the decision-making that comes with a larger wedding and is a fun, unplanned way to honour your love. Elopements are extremely common for a reason!

Have a surprise wedding.

Unbeknownst to the attendees, some of the most memorable weddings are those that take place. A fantastic last-minute wedding idea is to throw a party for your loved ones and then surprise them by holding the ceremony there! This structure will create a genuinely great story while relieving many of the stresses associated with traditional wedding planning.

Getting ready the week before your wedding

Even though last-minute wedding planning can seem hectic, focusing on the days and weeks before the wedding is crucial. This is a quick list of items you might have overlooked.

Make any self-care appointments.

Remember to schedule a time to have your nails, hair, or tan done. You may feel your best on your wedding day by scheduling these easy appointments. However, this is certainly not the ideal Moment to try a new hairstyle!

Write your vows

Only put off drafting your wedding vows at the last minute if you choose to do so. If you start writing the week before, you'll have ample time to edit and practice your unique words.

GATHER ANY SPECIAL GIFTS

Make sure to order them, whether a watch for your fiancé or a corsage for your grandmother, as a sentimental gift. Even the most last-minute wedding can seem incredibly unique thanks to these small elements!

Create a playlist of your favourite songs.

Spend time picking your favourite songs, whether hosting a band, a DJ, or a music event. You should gather various musical selections for your first dance, cocktail hour, after-dinner dancing, and the walk down the aisle. This will help you get in the mood and is a fun task!

Even while last-minute wedding planning can seem overwhelming or stressful, your ideal wedding can be assembled in weeks or months. You might be amazed at how much you can plan quickly if you get organized, go over our wedding planning checklist, and decide what's truly vital for your special day.

Additionally, Flowersarch is available at every stage to help you turn your last-minute wedding ideas into a reality. Our high-quality artificial flowers may help you design the wedding of your dreams while reducing the expense and stress of wedding décor preparation. Learn about DIY choices, wedding flower packages, ceremony and reception décor, and bridal flowers that add flair to even the most impromptu wedding day.

Please let us know if you're organizing your last-minute wedding! Please tag us on Instagram at @flowersarch so we can see how you style our classic floral arrangements. Happy planning, and congratulations!