How to Plan, Prepare, and Host a Wedding in One Week

On Tuesday, May 6, our daughter, Tingting, texted me that she and Tony were getting married.....On the following Wednesday, May 14, 2014!!!!

Did I panic??  Did I tell her she was out of her cotton picking mind?  No....and I am very proud of myself!

Day 1

• Find a Wedding Officiant.
• Choose the location...We are having the ceremony at home.
• Choose the Maid of Honor and Best Man, contact them with the request.
• Make an invitation list, we did not have enough time to mail out invitations so we phoned each guest with a personal invitation.

Tingting with her Maid of Honor, Amy

Tony's brother and Best Man, Josh, giving the toast.

Day 2

• Decide on a venue for the dinner reception, contact the event planner at that venue and book the location, choose the menu and bar offerings.  We chose a local restaurant that has a private room available for events.
• Order the cake.
• Reserve Room for Wedding Night.  We chose a local B&B.
• Make hair, makeup and nail appointments

Day 3

• Pick up Wedding License
• Order flowers (bouquets for Bride and Maid of Honor, corsages for Mothers and Grandmothers, Boutonniere for Groom, Best Man and Father's, Centerpiece for Wedding Table, Flower pots for either side of the trellis), arrange rental of trellis, order bows for trellis.  We chose a local florist who also rents the trellis and creates the bows.  
• Buy the netting to decorate trellis and favors for guests.
• Arrange for music at the dinner reception.

Our friends, Sharon and Steve, provided the music.
They were excellent.
Of course, we all took turns helping them out.
This was Linda's turn to help.

Day 4

• Buy shirt for Father of the Bride, Dress for Mother of the Bride and Peignoir Set for Wedding Night.
• Set up appointment with Bridal Shop.  We were lucky enough to get an appointment for the same evening.
• Meet with Wedding Officiant, pay deposit.
• Call Restaurant with final head count and room set up.
• Buy Wedding Dress, Shoes and accessories.

Day 5

• Groom gets his suit

Day 6

• Mother's Day....took the day off from wedding preparations.

Day 7

• Pick up Wedding Gift
• Call Restaurant and change headcount, rearrange seating assignments
• PRAY FOR NICE WEATHER ON WEDDING DAY

Day 8

• Brides mani/pedi
• Pick up Trellis
• Make seating place cards
• Decorate Trellis
• Last minute alterations on Wedding Dress
• Confirm Cake pick up 
• Confirm Flower pick up
• KEEP PRAYING FOR NICE WEATHER TOMORROW!!

Wedding Day

• Pick up flowers
• Pick up cake
• Deliver to Restaurant and confirm table placement.
• Place seating place cards on appropriate tables
• Brides hair appt.
• Brides makeup appt.
• Accept the fact that it is going to be an indoor ceremony
• Move all furniture out of the living room and set up trellis
• Put ribbons on staircase instead of trellis so Bride can make an entrance
• Set up bar for cocktails after the ceremony and before leaving for dinner.
• Photographer arrives
• Wedding Officiant arrives
• Ceremony conducted
• Photos, Photos and more Photos
• Leave for Dinner
• Breathe.......................

Each guest or couple got a rose and a picture frame used to mark their tables.

The Bride and Groom got their own centerpiece at their table

The cake was made by Christine's in Shelby Township, Michigan
The Florist used is The Empty Vase in New Baltimore, Michigan.

It turned out lovely.  I have shared a few photos here but when we get the file from the photographer I will be sharing even more.  Everyone was very impressed that we pulled this off in one week....Heck I even impressed myself!!

I am sharing these ideas at Thrifty Thursday and Thrive at Home.  Stop by and see what others are sharing.
And I am so dang impressed with myself I am posting at List it Tuesday as well!!