How to Have a Memorable "Last Minute" Wedding

Who says you need 2 years to plan a wedding?

Many couples these days take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to plan their perfect wedding, but what if you don't have that kind of time? You can enjoy what’s called a “last minute” wedding and know that you’re going to have something that is heartfelt, memorable, and a whole lot of fun!

The key, of course, is in making sure that you are planning it correctly because with a last minute wedding you won't have time for mistakes! Here are some tips to help.

Be flexible on your wedding venue:

As you likely know, wedding venues can book up years in advance. So, if you’re set on having a last minute wedding that is not in city hall, you’re going to want to be flexible on the venue. There are still plenty of places that you can get married at, of course, and some of them may surprise you. Don’t be too picky, and go with your gut. You’ll also want to focus on the idea of picking spots with minimal need for decor. You won’t have time to order expensive details for bouquets, etc, so try to pick something that already looks stunning!

Book your wedding officiant:

The next step is to get hunting for your wedding officiant! While many will have a list of people who are available at the last minute, not every NY marriage officiant is. If you have your heart set on one particular person, you’re going to have to book things around their availability. Otherwise, be prepared to have a few backup options for New York City wedding officiants, including personal friends or family that you know are definitely coming!

Go with eVites:

The last thing you want to do is wait for RSVPs. When you have a last minute wedding date, you absolutely must go with eVites, electronic invitations! People will respond much quicker and you’ll get a better feel for numbers. On that note, you’ll also want to have some extra chairs and food just in case someone’s eVite got sent to spam and they didn’t realize it at first.

Have some emergency cash:

There’s always something that gets forgotten. Make sure that you have some emergency cash ready to go for tips, rentals, etc. This should be budgeted, of course. Speaking of budget, make sure you stick to it! Money stress should never combine with a wedding if you can help it. A last minute wedding is stressful enough, after all.

Last minute weddings are extra special
Even though many couples take years to plan their wedding, there is something special and heartfelt about last minute weddings. From supporting local vendors for the catering, cake, and clothing, to reimagining your invitations and even wedding venue, it’s going to be full of wonder and imagination!

Last minute weddings aren’t always plain

You can still do more to make the big day even more memorable. Who says that last minute weddings are simple and plain? Sure, one needs to simplify things to cut down on time before the big day. However, it doesn’t mean making your special day memorable can’t be achieved as quickly.

Shining, Shimmering, Splendid

Make your last minute wedding special by dazzling your guests and making your big day shiny and bright with custom neon signs. You can have your and your partner’s name flash in your favorite colors or a word that has a special meaning to you both. You can have it hanging on your venue or on the dance floor. And once everything’s said and done, you can hang it on your wall as a memento.

Show Stopper Cake Toppers

There might not be time to get an elaborate and customized cake for your wedding. You’ll probably have to make do with a simple cake that can be bought on short notice. However, you can still make it yours by adding a cake topper. Although you might not have time to customize it, you can still personalize it by adding something on the toppers that belong to you and your partner. It could be a ribbon, a small accessory, or something similar that you can quickly and easily add to the toppers.

Quick Favors and Easy Guestbooks

Speed is vital when it comes to last minute weddings. Because of that, a considerable chunk of planning and details must be removed. And one of those is the favors you give to guests. What if you can still give your guests favors as a token of appreciation despite it being short notice? It doesn’t have to be customized; if it is, it’s something quick and easy to do, even with hectic preparations.

For favors, you can have bonbons, sweets, and candies that fit your wedding theme. Have them packed and add a sticker that commemorates your special day or a ribbon with your colors. For guestbooks, you can make it personal and memorable by letting your guest write their wishes on a photo album you have with your partner. You can also paint a blank pallet and design it so your guests can write their names or well wishes.

Contrary to popular belief, last minute weddings are just as memorable as planned ones. While the goalposts and details are a little different, and much faster, they can be truly thoughtful, sentimental experiences that will make your special day magical. The key is to make sure you have a plan and an order for how you’ll need to implement that plan.



Understandably, planning and handling last minute weddings with so little time can be overwhelming. However, don’t forget that you don’t have to shoulder everything and tackle them all by yourself. You have your friends, your family, and your partner to lend a helping hand.

You also have your planner--if you hired one, and sometimes, your New York City officiant can help you with preparations! Excellent and reliable New York City wedding officiants won’t just arrive on your wedding day and pronounce you as a married couple. They should go above and beyond and do what they can to help make your special day memorable, whether it is a last minute wedding or not.

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