Abasket, I wore the Ralph Lauren dress I posted earlier. We had the good fortune of having the previously selected planner/florist available as was the photographer. (Personal friend of the couple who is professional photographer)
The biggest problem was that UW graduation took traffic in that part of town to a standstill for a few hours. The leisurely photo session beforehand didn’t happen.
Wedding was in SILs lovely backyard. Not large but steep so everyone could see. She had yard crew in to tidy up ( 10 day planning time - we will reimburse her)
We ordered platters of nibbles from PCC and had champagne and water and lemonade as guests gathered. (2 day planning time)
Officiant got ordained online (7 day planning time, though they can expedite)
Restaurant for reception - 7 day planning time. Would have liked a venue with room to dance but the time frame and required date precluded that. Banquet manager was fantastic! Food was amazing.
Wedding gown - previously purchased as reception dress after changing out of my mom’s gown
Wedding shoes - bought at 5pm the night before as we drove by DSW. “shoes! I have no shoes!”
Champagne for pre-wedding gathering - bought at 10 AM the day of the wedding when we realized everyone thought someone else was getting it.
Flowers - planned 5 days ahead, bought by florist at local market Friday
Music - iPhone and good speakers. Classical background music as folks gathered and processional/recessional. A Capella solo by cousin (trained voice) that nearly choked everyone up. Would have loved a live keyboard or guitar but time crunched that one out.
Driver - bride and groom from ceremony to reception and then to hotel (planner knows the owner, 5 days lead time)
Guests - 44 plus some small fry
Best $20 - bubbles from the craft store wedding section as we sent them off!
Sounds wonderful!
Amazing!!! I was thinking about the UW traffic… I hightailed out of the city for the weekend!
So glad the weather cooperated, too!
It sounds wonderful-so glad it went well! H and I had a do-it-yourself wedding and it actually made it more special to have friends and family be a part of working out the details. H’s best friend got his license to marry us online too, and we wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to do it.Congrats to you and yours!
Wow, that’s wonderful! And you didn’t have to waste a year of your life planning it!!! 
@dragonmom your list of what was done is a great planning tool for a small do-it-yourself in a short time wedding - I saved it in my word document because one never knows when the list could come in handy. I hope with both DDs we will have at least 6 months notice (required for Catholic church wedding for pre-nuptial preparation). I am saving wedding planning stuff I can get my hands on too - most girls do dream about their wedding.
Agree that the bride’s gown usually does need a longer lead time - unless not so picky and an easy size for sample gown/last year inventory in store. Niece had a beautiful gown custom-made for $800 in DC five years ago - she liked elements of two bridal gowns, and seamstress did a beautiful job. So yes, you can get a dress for under $1500/$2000 that seems to be a common theme in the ‘say yes to the dress’. I went to a large city/large bridal shop with friend, and we found a great last year’s dress for her that was gorgeous and not much money either - just had a little alteration to do.
Having the basics with a joyous group - that is the key
My D was going to wear her grandmothers 1952 gown for the ceremony and then a beautiful platinum beaded dress for the reception.
Reception dress worked for the ceremony.
She found it online for under $200
Friend is seeking MOG dress - what she likes is a lace over, with about 3/4 length - looked like a darker color like dark maroon; she had a picture but w/o the link. The one she found was too expensive and not available in her size. (so no temptation!) She is tall (maybe 5’9" and not big nor small). So perhaps the good shoppers on the thread can find some low cost suggestions (I imagine she is looking for under $200).
Artsy friend got the MOG into two dresses that looked great and in her price range, so she is purchasing one of them. This thread of ideas was a help to her though so thanks to those that contributed