Halloween is just a month away. If you want a Halloween wedding, but don't want to wait more than a year for your big day, have no fear. You can totally have the wedding of your dreams and throw it together in just a few weeks.
Get a License and Find an Officiant
Head to the clerk of courts to apply for a marriage license. Double-check that you have the proper identification and ensure you will be getting married within the waiting period. Officiants who perform lots of weddings may already be booked for Halloween, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If you can't find someone, you can always have a friend or family member get ordained online.
Decide Where to Get Married
If you live in an area that is nice enough to be outside so late in the year, you could look into getting married in a local park. Some state parks even have event centers that are much more affordable than booking a larger venue. You may also consider local pumpkin patches or farms or even your own back yard.
Invite Your Guests
Keep in mind that such short notice coupled with the fact that Halloween falls on a weekday means many guests won't be able to be there. If this is the case, you can always host a more formal reception in a few months to celebrate with those who couldn't attend due to prior obligations or because they live out of town. It's best to keep the guest list small with a short-notice ceremony and reception anyway.
Get the Attire
If you have your heart set on a more traditional dress, search chain boutiques such as David's Bridal and have a good tailor help you get the perfect fit. If you prefer something more unique, search local thrift shops or even costume shops. You could make it extra fun by asking your guests to come in costume for the ceremony and reception as well. If you do choose to shop online, ensure you pay for the fastest shipping the company has and double-check that it will arrive on time.
Plan the Food
A short-notice wedding probably has a short-notice budget, so don't feel you need to create a full meal with several courses for your guests. Instead, aim to provide appetizers, finger foods, and desserts. Depending on where you decide to have your reception, you may consider having a potluck-style event instead of asking for traditional wedding gifts. You can keep with the fall and Halloween theme by serving related foods.
- Pumpkin drinks, cakes, and pies
- Apple-based foods and drinks
- Chili and soups
- Warm sandwich options
- Traditional comfort food
If you want alcohol at your reception, consider purchasing beer and wine and allowing guests to bring their own liquor if the venue allows for it.
Hire the Entertainment
Wedding bands book far in advance, but you may be able to find an up-and-coming band or DJ on short notice. Unfortunately, you may be so busy planning other aspects that you don't have time to come up with a playlist for him or her, so you may just need to provide information about what you like and trust the musicians' judgment. If you prefer to do the music yourself, you can create playlists on Spotify or a number of other websites and hook a good laptop up to a rented sound system. Family and friends can help you create the playlist if you are too busy to do it all alone.
There is no rule that says you have to wait a certain number of months or years before transitioning from engaged to married, especially if you have already been in a relationship for a while. Do what feels right for you. Sometimes a casual wedding that you put together quickly is much more memorable anyway!
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