How to Plan a Wedding in 30 Days or Less! (Featuring a Real Wedding in an LA Bar!)

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

When you know, you know. And sometimes when you know, you’re just ready to do the dang thing already! Kaitlin + Lars had been together for almost 10 years when they decided to celebrate their union with friends + family! They called up Holly at Anything But Gray Events to help them plan the event, not only in just 19 days but also from afar—this Aussie couple wanted to get married in LA!

We hired Holly 19 days before the wedding. I had picked Everson Royce Bar when I was in LA a month before the wedding, but Holly got everything locked down with the venue, sent us three possible photographers, two options for florists, and one make-up artist. That allowed us to make decisions quickly, and trust that everyone was an outstanding professional who would be able to deliver. Holly really kept us on schedule and was realistic about what was possible and what was going to either be more stress or more money than it was worth. She also helped Lars organize a surprise ice cream truck for me!

Maybe you’re thinking what we were thinking: HOW on earth did they pull it off?! We decided to get some intel from Holly herself and she shared 5 things to remember when you’re planning a wedding in a month or less! Read on to see how K + L’s day played out, thanks to photos from Aurelia D’Amore Photography, as well as helpful tips from Anything But Gray Events!

The Colorful Duo

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Taking a note from the bright colors around the bar, K + L went with bright florals and jewel tones!

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Who needs a photo backdrop when you have the streets of LA?!

green silk dress

A quick wedding doesn’t mean letting go of the sentimental aspects. In fact, they seem to carry even more weight when you have to make fast decisions. Kaitlin paired her green Bianca Spender gown with yellow Aperlai pumps and a special bolero jacket from a dress set owned by her grandmother.

orange poppy bouquet

TIP 1: Hire Professionals

When it comes to crunch time wedding planning, don’t head to craigslist thinking scrimping will be the best move. Truth is, when it comes to planning a wedding in just a couple of weeks, you don’t have time for mistakes that can’t be fixed. Hire relatable, experienced and professional vendors who carry insurance and have great reviews. They will be the pros you lean on to pull your big day together in a flash!

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

TIP 2: Be Flexible

Planning a wedding in 30 days means you need to be open to options, situations, and challenges that may arise. Being too rigid is a recipe for disasters. Trust your vendor team and your gut that whatever choice you make is the right one!

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

The Sweet + Bright Ceremony

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

That WOW factor! K + L wanted to keep decor to a minimum with one exception: the florals! Winston & Main covered a tree in the bar’s backspace—the ceremony area—with yellow and orange florals. The tree acted as the ceremony arch for the vow exchange!

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Rather than hire an officiant, the guests served as guides to the celebration with call and response vows placed at each setting.

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

What it’s all about. Just so special, right?

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

YAY, you two!!

A Brunch Reception

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

TIP 3: Use an All-Inclusive Venue

This would include catering, staffing, bar, and basic rentals. When you are working on a month-of time frame, you can’t reinvent the wheel. Working with a venue that has your basic needs already covered is a huge time and stress relief. That way you only have to bring in the florals and decorative elements to make the space your own.

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

You never know until you ask: the Everson Royce Bar had never hosted a wedding before, yet they created a delicious brunch menu full of California favorites, a mimosa bar, and espresso martinis!

signature cocktails

TIP 4: Be Realistic with Your Expectations

Remember to gauge your expectations accordingly to what can be successfully and logically accomplished in 30 days. This includes your expectations of yourself. Jumping into crash diets or pressuring your wedding day to be perfection isn’t the answer. Your wedding will be amazing—even in 30 days—because ultimately and most importantly, you are marrying YOUR person, not the day!

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

TIP 5: KISS! Keep it Simple Stupid

The more guests you invite, the more complicated wedding planning gets. Keeping your guest list boiled down to the most important and key people in your life will save you valuable time and drama. Extra points if you omit a wedding party and roll as a solo duo on wedding day.

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Surprise a girl with ice cream and she’ll be yours FOREVER! Holly helped Lars orchestrate Katilin’s ultimate surprise: an ice cream truck! The CVT Truck pulled up and dished out soft serve for the ultimate sweet ending.

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

Downtown LA Brunch Wedding

So, a wedding in under a month? NOT impossible! Find the things that are important to you, ask for help, and make. it. HAPPEN! Thanks to Anything But Gray Events, Kaitlin, and Lars for showing us how it’s done!

photography: Aurelia D'Amore Photography // venue name: Everson Royce Bar, Los Angeles, California, USA // event design: Anything But Gray Events // planning: Anything But Gray Events // florals: Winston & Main // wedding dress: Bianca Spender // bride's shoes: Aperlai // hair stylist: Betsy DiFrancesca // makeup artist: Betsy DiFrancesca // groom attire: Brooks Brothers // catering: Everson Royce Bar // desserts: CVT Truck // linen rentals: BBJ Linen // music: Hey Mister DJ // band: Icy Hot Club // babysitters: Black Tie Kids

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