by Lisa Doherty

Created on: July 03, 2008

Wedding planning is a job that most experts say will take at least a year. However, it does not have to take that long and some of the most elegant weddings are planned in a month or less. Having the wedding of your dreams in a short time frame can be done with the right amount of preparation and distribution of responsibility and when the day comes, the wedding will still be a radiant as it would if it had taken a year. Here are some tips on planning your big day in under a month.

1. MARRIAGE LICENSE: Apply immediately. Some states still require a blood test and this can take up valuable time. Do not put it off for even one minute and then the most important document is out of the way.

1. BOOK IT NOW! The church or facility (and the officiating person who will perform the ceremony) where you want to be married should to be booked as soon as possible. They fill up fast and many churches have requirements for pre-marital counseling, so have several options and a back up plan if this will not work for you and your betrothed. They will also require a deposit, so make sure you have a little extra to put down to hold your spot.

2. PHOTOGRAPHER: The one lasting memento of your big day will be pictures. This is the one area that you want to make sure does not get forgotten until the last minute and that you do not skimp on. You can forego the champagne fountain, but make sure your pictures are done by a great photographer. Call this person directly after you book the facility so that you can give him or her a specific date and use the yellow pages to find someone else if your first choices are unavailable.

3. RECEPTION HALL: Just like the church or facility where you are wanted to be married, reception halls book up very quickly. Make sure that you have multiple back ups for this one. If the hall is not available, use these other quick options:
*The home of a friend or relative
*Local restaurant - many will rent out a room even if they do not serve any food
*Church basements - this could be arranged when you arrange the date for your wedding

If all else fails, one option for the reception would be to postpone it until after you come back from the honeymoon. Many couples feel that they are able to enjoy the reception more once the pressure of the big day is off their shoulders!

4. DRESS: If the wedding is in four weeks, it is highly unlikely that the Vera Wang you wanted to order will be in and ready to go. I personally opted for the rental. It was much cheaper; I was able

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