How to Plan a Wedding in 24 Hours

You can plan a beautiful wedding in just 24 hours, but some of the glamour and attention to detail may have to be sacrificed.

Planning a wedding in 24 hours can be done, but it requires a clear mind and intense focus for that 24-hour period. Furthermore, if you know that you cannot be happy with a wedding that does not meet every single aspect that you have been dreaming up since you were a little girl, then do not plan a wedding in 24 hours. The time constraints will force you to make compromises, and if those compromises will ruin your special day then they are not worth it. However, if you are just happy to be married and a little more laid-back about your wedding than a typical "bridezilla," then go ahead and take the plunge. In this article, we will discuss the basics of wedding planning that can be accomplished in 24 hours. You will need a team to help you get it all done, so call up the bridesmaids, relatives and in-laws to help you put your wedding plan into action.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wedding team
• Phone numbers for guests
• Phone book
• Car

1. Make the guest list. This list should be relatively short as you will have to contact all of them personally. You need the list so that you know a rough number to give the church and the venue for the reception.

2. Do not forget the cake! You can often buy the wedding cake last-minute from a local grocery deli or allow a relative to take this on too.

   Make a food list. These should be simple reception foods like cookies, sandwiches and hors d'oeuvres. You probably will not be able to get a caterer on this short notice, so as soon as you have a food list and your approximate number of guests, assign food preparation to a member of your team. Generally this will be a mother, mother-in-law or grandmother. Once you have handed over a task, do not bother the person who has taken it on. They need every minute and you do not have time to call and ask them how it is going.

3. Reserve a venue. This will almost certainly need to be either a church or an outdoor facility. A church will usually also rent you their fellowship area and have other areas for you to get ready. Furthermore, they often will allow you to hire their minister as well if you do not have one of your own. An outdoor facility will need to have areas for you to get ready and to keep the food during the ceremony. If you have your wedding outside, then you will need to arrange for seating for elderly guests during the ceremony and reception.

4. Start calling guests. As soon as you have a set venue and time of the wedding, start calling your guests. Tell them the time, place and type of wedding that it will be. You should also assign this task to a member of your wedding team so that you can keep moving on other things.

5. Remember that an amateur may not get the pictures you have dreamed of. They will usually be more informal and action-packed. If your wedding album is one of your highest priorities, then you may need to either direct photography yourself or wait until you can get a professional photographer.

   Hire a photographer. Wedding photographers are almost never available on this short notice, so you may need to invest in a good digital camera and pay a teenage friend or relative to take pictures. Pay them enough to make sure they take the job seriously, but you do not need to pay as much as you would have paid a professional. Make them a list of the shots that you want since they will not have the experience to help them know to set up all the required posed pictures. At the wedding be sure to listen to their requests and your guests will do likewise.

6. Plan the music. If you cannot get a live band, you may need to hire a DJ. If all else fails, bring in a stereo system and hire a personable relative to run the show. You will need to make sure that they know of anything in particular that you want them to announce, such as a father-daughter dance, first dance, bouquet and garter tosses or the limbo. Pay them enough to make them take the job seriously, but you do not need to pay as much as you would for a professional.

7. Buy your dress, shoes, jewelry and underwear. You need to buy a dress that fits you right now and does not need alterations. You will not have time to get it cleaned, so make sure that it does not have makeup stains or other discolorations that will be visible when you wear it. Make sure that you have underwear that is appropriate for that type of dress as well as any shoes, jewelry or other accessories. If you are going to have bridesmaids, bring them along on this trip as well to get their clothing and accessories.

8. You may even be able to design your own wedding bouquets at a craft store if you are willing to use fake flowers. This will also be much less expensive.

   Visit the florist. You will probably need to pick from bouquets and other decorations that are already made. Limit the number of flowers that you have in the ceremony and at the reception as last-minute flowers are often astronomically more expensive.

9. Decorate the venue. Craft and hobby stores sell wedding decoration kits in their entirety or you can use ready-made white or colored ribbon bows to dress up the space. If you have rented a church for the occasion, they may have banners or flower arrangements that you can use.

10. Review your work. Make sure that everything is going on schedule and that you do not have some special requirement that you have overlooked. Then, help out your team and stay positive and cheerful. Your wedding will be wonderful and you will all have the time of your lives.