DO PLAN YOUR WEDDING In UNDER a MONTH!

Re Blog by --Erinn Bucklan

Want to plan your wedding in under a month? Yes, you can.

Impatient lovers, cover your ears. This stat is not what you want to hear: the average length of engagement hovers somewhere around 14 months.  When romance has swept you off your feet and you just can’t bear to wait much longer to say your vows, why not plan an impromptu wedding in under a month? You won’t risk losing the thrill of a whirlwind, spontaneous wedding with a long engagement.

Of course, a last-minute wedding does have some minuses. For one, you’ll have to make some concessions due to the time constraint—with only a few weeks to shop for and book all your vendors, you may need to settle for what’s immediately available. Also, you’re likely to have to buy your wedding dress off the rack; most bridal salons need at least three weeks for an order.

But if these compromises seem like a small price to pay for a speedy engagement, read on for a guide to the can-do places to book in less than a month away.

VEGAS, BABY

Take a jaunt to the most famous place to tie the knot fast. Dubbed the marriage capital of the world with more than 122,000 weddings a year, Las Vegas makes it the easiest. There’s no waiting period to get a marriage license here and the county’s Marriage License Bureau is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, 365 days a year.

Do: Fill out an online application beforehand to expedite your trip.

Don’t: Miss The Chapel of The Bells as a venue possibility. It may not be as understated as, say, the Bellagio, but it is more iconic as seen in flicks like Indecent Proposal and Honeymoon in Vegas.

DECK THE HALLS

There’s also the option of staying local and marrying at your local city hall. Some cities like San Francisco and New York hold their marriages in gorgeous, stately buildings that rival many other venues.

Do: Book a post-nup celebratory meal at a festive nearby restaurant.

Don’t: Neglect the paperwork required to get a marriage license. You may need to get a jumpstart on your marriage license; some places like Texas or Washington, D.C. require a three to five day waiting period.

SEEK OUT A RESTAURANT

Many restaurants have private rooms or can accommodate larger parties (usually up to 60 guests) on shorter notice than wedding halls. So, consider a spot like Miami’s Red Fish Grill to host your last-minute affair.

Do: Work with the existing dinner menu. Requests for dishes that aren’t usual fare for the chefs may not be possible on such short notice.

Don’t: Expect everyone you invited to be able to attend. You may have fewer guests in attendance than you’d like; many may have already scheduled activities on your wedding date.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

A public venue, like a beach or a park, is another possibility with more flexible booking arrangements than a hotel or wedding hall. States like California have plenty of options from beaches to historic gazebos to redwood forests as a backdrop for your vows.

Do: Check with local authorities before sending out invites. Many require a permit for such a gathering even though the area is public.

Don’t: Anticipate a private, intimate affair. Often, passersby visiting the area will stop to ogle your ceremony.

HOLD THAT HOTEL

As long as you’re flexible with time and day of week, you may be able to book your wedding at one of the more traditional establishments like a hotel or wedding hall. Sure, Saturday night will be booked, but Wednesday may be wide open.

Do: Ask friends or family for help with addressing invitations, doing the photography and simple floral arranging. While the location may be available, some of the other vendors may not be.

Don’t: Be surprised that you may just save some money when you switch the night of your celebration from the all-popular Saturday evening.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Have a friend with a gorgeous lawn or an aunt with a large enough abode to accommodate your friends and family? Consider asking if they’d host your last-minute nuptials.

Do: Remember that a lot of responsibility goes into using a close one’s house for your event.

Don’t: Skimp on the niceties that will show your appreciation, such as hiring a cleaning crew post-wedding and sending your hosts a quality gift to thank them for their hospitality.

ELOPE!

It's called a destination wedding if you bring your guests, but if you and your fiancé take the leap à deux, then you’ve got the formula for the ultimate in passionate spontaneity: elopement.

Do: Book a photographer to record your ceremony. Without anyone to witness the event, it is especially touching to have photos that document your wedding.

Don’t: Forget that your nearest and dearest will still want to celebrate your marriage somehow—so host a celebration back home once you’re Mr. & Mrs.

If in VEGAS and Planning a wedding - Contact us. www.amillerfoto.com {ASAP Packages for your day if needed} how great is that????