| A long drawn out engagement is not right for | | | | done by the end of the second week of wedding |
| everyone, but neither is an elopement. There is | | | | planning at the very latest. |
| something in between these two options for | | | | Every bride needs a beautiful gown, and when |
| couples who are short on time, yet want to have | | | | time is short, off the rack is the way to go. If |
| a wedding with family and friends. This is how to | | | | you have your heart set on a traditional bridal |
| plan a wedding in 30 days or less. | | | | gown, call ahead to bridal salons and find out what |
| First things first: check on the legal requirements | | | | they may have for sample sale gowns near your |
| in your home state. Make sure that you know the | | | | size. Time will be too short for extensive |
| timeline for applying for the marriage license and | | | | alterations, so another option is to go to a bridal |
| that you have all the necessary documents at | | | | warehouse which stocks numerous sizes. Lastly, |
| your fingertips, such as birth certificates, | | | | you can investigate the bridal collection at |
| identification, and divorce decrees from previous | | | | companies like J Crew, which should have a range |
| marriages, if any. Without these things in order, | | | | of sizes which can be shipped to you on rush |
| you may quickly find your wedding derailed from | | | | delivery (if the return policy permits it, order a |
| the fast track, especially if you have to obtain | | | | couple of different sizes and return whichever |
| duplicates of official documents. As soon as the | | | | one does not fit). You can also get accessories |
| legal aspects are a go, it is time to hit the ground | | | | like wedding jewelry ordered very quickly online. |
| running with planning the wedding day itself. | | | | While you are at it, pick up some wedding jewelry |
| During the first days of wedding planning, select a | | | | gifts for your moms and bridesmaids. |
| target wedding date and find an available venue. If | | | | With the core elements of your wedding in place, |
| you are booking a church and a reception venue, | | | | it will be time to get into the rest of the plans. By |
| confirm availability of your church and officiant | | | | the end of the third week of planning, have your |
| before putting down a contract on a reception | | | | transportation lined up, your favors purchased, |
| site. The best reception venues will be those | | | | and your honeymoon booked. Don't forget about |
| which include everything you will need, such as | | | | reserving a hotel suite for the wedding night. Line |
| catering, linens, and possibly even an on-site baker | | | | up your wedding beauty appointments this week, |
| to make the wedding cake. Restaurants, hotels, | | | | if you have not already done so. Be sure that |
| and private clubs are usually your best bet, | | | | your groom and the wedding party have their |
| especially those which have an in house event | | | | attire and accessories in order as well. |
| coordinator to take charge of pulling together | | | | Before you know it, the week of your wedding |
| your wedding on short notice. | | | | will have arrived. Things to do in this final week |
| Once you have your venues lined up, it is time to | | | | include the seating chart, assembling favors, |
| invite your wedding guests. When the wedding is | | | | confirming with vendors and travel agents, picking |
| only weeks away, there is really not enough time | | | | up wedding attire, and packing for the |
| to send out formal engraved invitations. A | | | | honeymoon. Do not bother with non-essentials like |
| personal phone call or a hand-delivered invitation | | | | wedding programs. One of the final things to do is |
| will get your message out the most quickly. | | | | have your nails done the day before the wedding, |
| (Please do not send out e-vites for your wedding!) | | | | and of course, your hair and makeup on the |
| Then it is time to round up everyone else you will | | | | morning of the big day. Then all that remains is to |
| need for your wedding, including the photographer, | | | | go on and get married. Whew! By the time you |
| florist, musicians (or use an ipod), and a baker. If | | | | get through planning a wedding in 30 days, you will |
| you want a rehearsal dinner, reserve a private | | | | be ready for a vacation; thank goodness for the |
| room in a restaurant now. Aim to have all this | | | | honeymoon! |