Planning a Wedding in a Week? Is It Possible??

I planned one in 2 days and it was very frustrating and busy. it can be done though. If she wants it small then just get the cake, some champagne and flutes for the toast, Hobby Lobby for any decorations. Dollar Tree has the big bows in different colors if you have those on the chairs or pues. I don't know if this helps at all, but that is how I did a wedding in 2 days. This one was small as well.

I did mine in 48 hours, It can be done and for a lot less!
Keep everything to a minamin, finger foods, meat & cheese trays. GO to either a flower wholesaler or like a Costco for flowers. If there was ever a perect time of year to plane a wedding in a week this is it! SHe will have her pick of flowers and colors!
What ever you do...Make sure she has the one or two things she really wants so she does not feel cheated! If you want more help or need more suggestions go to my blog and leave a comment. themoderndaywonderwomen.blogspot.com

Good Luck, You can do it!

I imagine it's not that different than planning a wedding over several months. You'll just need "quicker" vendors for everything.

1) Book the ceremony place. Make sure they will "set-up" the chairs in the room in an appropriate way.
2) Hire an officiant to perform the ceremony. You can usually find someone local online.
3) Reserve a table/room at a restaurant. Select the food to serve from the menu.
4) If she wants them, order some flowers for her to hold, and a boutonniere, from the supermarket florist. They can usually do something with a day or two notice. But this is not necessary.
5) Does she want photos? Ask someone (a friend) to take photographs. Consider purchasing disposable cameras to hand out to various people who attend -- have them shoot pictures throughout the event.
6) Contact people to attend. I guess you'll have to make phone calls or send out e-invites.
7) Pick something to wear.
8) Do they want to exchange rings? Buy or borrow a couple rings to use.

One option would be to ask her if she would like a gift of a new marriage license fee. I can't imagine what stress this would put people under when she admits to not knowing what to do next. BTW, this should not fall on your shoulders totally.

So many questions which would depend on our answers: how many guests, are they available to come at the last minute? Does she have what she wants to wear, will a party room at a restaurant be big enough, etc. My initial response is more like "You're kidding, right?" Anyway, it can be done if her expectations are very simple and she knows that the people who are important to her to be there can be there. Just protect yourself and don't try to make the impossible happen for her as it was her choice to change plans at the last minute all over the price of a marriage license.

I would suggest to her she get a new marriage license to allow time for everyone, including her, to breathe! She really will enjoy herself more if she does that, and that is what matters. If she refuses, try the following:

- Invites need to get out ASAP - we had a wedding website we used and it was wonderful and easy to create. Try knot.com or some other places.
- flowers from someplace like Kroger - they did mine and they were gorgeous! I even paid one of the girls $50 to come help me set up. It was great.
- we had a ceremony of 50 people at a gazebo we rented for $75. We didn't have to decorate it, as it was already gorgeous and outdoors.
- reception consisted of about 70 and was held at a restaurant banquet room that holds 80. We rented a wooden dance floor (just google renting dance floor) and hired a DJ a friend recommended. It was a blast! Since her ceremony will be small, maybe bring a CD player and have someone DJ. Also, your small group could probably order right off the menu instead of pre-planning the meals.
- I got my wedding dress from David's - if she doesn't have a dress yet, this should be easy.
- For centerpieces, we made our own using very tall vases from Hobby Lobby, putting glowing LED lights in the bottom and filling vases with little beads that turn into dime-size jelly balls (floral shops have them). Then fill the vases with flowers. They were gorgeous!

I did all of my planning in three months and we felt like that was good time. I would try the suggestion of a new marriage license first, then start hitting the craft stores if all else fails! Feel free to message me if you need more help! Unless she or you are willing to spend a lot, I wouldn't hire a planner, as they are expensive and her ceremony will be so small it seems as if you could do it (with some help from others too). Although, it doesn't hurt to call to see if a wedding planner would give you some sort of deal since the ceremony is going to be so small!

Good luck to you, and you are a great sister!

If you would like one extra special touch, since you are doing a small dinner reception afterwards, you might consider an acoustic guitarist who also sings. He can do the ceremony as well as the dinner - a nice mix of classical, love songs, light pop and jazz. My husband is wonderful, and you can actually come out and hear him tonight at Shenaniganz in the Over 21 Lounge from 8 - 11 pm.

yes, it's possible. Keep it simple & don't over think. If you have a place for the ceremony then your most of the way there. You need the bride, groom & two witnesses...and the rings! ;) Additional items to include at an easy fix are candles, music (CD or IPod work magic!), flowers (You can have a local florist or even the grocery store flower area put together simple elegant boquets) A cake - again a local bakery can put together a simple two to three tier cake together in a matter of days.

I would pick a favorite restaraunt for the after dinner reception...ask for a private table for the estimated number of guest. Someone could go earlier in the day and add simple candles and flowers at the base of them to make it festive & elegant. Sticking to one or two colors will keep the stress down & make it easier to find items. Pick up a bottle of champagne if that is something your family would like and havve two champagne glasses for bride & groom & plastic champagne glasses for everyone else to toast the happy couple & your done!

Well do the flowers your self. Don't try to get a flowerist. You can get those at the grossery store. Just roses and some greenery. And get something to wrap the stems together. Find a friend or family member that can take pictures. I don't know if you would be able to find a pro to do them that short of a notice. If you don't want real flowers there is lots of stuff you can get at hobby lobby and do it yourself.

Good luck and God Bless!!

Wow, one week. I think it can be done. Like everyone is suggesting do it all yourself since it is so short notice.

You can do centerpieces from Hobby Lobby/Michaels along with any favors. They all sell so much to do your own wedding now that it makes it really easy. Heck even the dollar store has a bunch of wedding stuff that you can use if you are on a budget.

The important thing is that she is happy.

Is the reception being catered? Does she have a cake. If you need one I can produce a cake pretty fast. Take a look at my website for ideas (www.freewebs.com/bubblesandwowza).

How it all works out for your sister.

I think you've had great suggestions for flowers, pictures, etc. Another idea is regarding the cake if she wants one. Check with a grocery store such as Wal-Mart. I have a cousin-in-law who planned a wedding on a budget, and her wedding cake was wal-mart and it was really nice, and tasted good too. Nothing fancy, but it was a pretty white cake, tiered layers, with flowers on it and stuff. Don't know how far in advance they need to make a cake, but I would think a place like that, or Albertson's, Kroger, etc., would be your best bet for a cake on a budget in a time pinch. They could easily do a chocolate sheet cake for a groom's cake as well. Good luck!

Please post a response on how this went!! I planned my wedding in 2 months (21 yrs ago) and from my experience, it is so much more important to plan the marraige than worry about the wedding. The only things your sister needs to have are the things she and her groom think are important...like in perfect dress, fresh flowers, lots of family present, perfect wedding song. If only one thing matters, that is all it takes. Mostly, they only need each other, the license, the officiant and witnesses...oh, and definitely a couple of pictures. Happy wedding and Love forever and ever to your sister and her fiance!!

To reduce the stress, hire a wedding planner. Let them sweat the details. They do this all the time. They are the professionals and have the contacts and the practice.

Or have your sister get another license and take your time.