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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#264: Save the Date

From romantic comedies like 27 Dresses to suspenseful thrillers like Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, it’s no secret that weddings are a compelling backdrop for storytelling. I’ve personally got weddings on the brain after attending a few this summer — and while they all went smoothly, I’m still intrigued by the narrative possibilities of dramatic, comedic, and just plain outlandish weddings!

This week’s prompts draw from those possibilities, though they’re worded in a way that doesn’t necessarily require you to write a “wedding story.” Whether your characters stroll down the aisle or avoid it altogether, now’s your chance to take them on a captivating journey… in sickness, in health, as long as they both shall live, or under any other circumstances you might invent for them.

This week's prompts

Center your story around two people who meet at a wedding.

Character – 72 stories

Write a story in the form of a speech (or multiple speeches).

Character – 24 stories

Start your story with people arriving at a special ceremony.

Character – 31 stories

Write a story from the POV of a plus-one.

Character – 48 stories

End your story with someone saying “I do.”

Character – 113 stories

Stories

“Lurline's Blessings” by Nancy Ball

Submitted to Contest #264

Lurline's Blessingsby Nancy J My name is Lurline Becker, not Lur Line. I am a woman, not a fishing tackle. The bills on my desk stare back, mocking my financial struggles. My landlord is the first to be paid. There may be a solution for next month, involving me using my wily seductive maneuvers and ensuring he provides a receipt. As an escort, high-paying dates pay the bills, but it's not a straightforward job. Discreet advertising to avoid legal issues is vital. When clients contact me, my primary concern is safety. Working at a cell phon...

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“Complications” by Hannah Rose

Submitted to Contest #264

It wouldn’t have been that consequential...except there was Rebecca. Rebecca was glowy moonlight in a world that glittered just a little too brightly. She was subtle and kind—the genuine kindness that bubbles up from deep within rather than floating on the surface like slick oil. She read thick books like life was long, and she loved food. Like, she loved food. She had this face when she tasted something particularly exquisite. It was like she’d just jolted awake from a fantastical dream with a new awareness of subconscious possibilitie...

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“Castle” by Alia Divine

Submitted to Contest #264

I was holding Mom's cold hand in mine when I saw the doors. I felt a really bad feeling, like a plum pit sank to the bottom of my heart. They were even taller than Dad, and he’s like the tallest person I know. Mom stopped at the bottom of the steps and squeezed my hand so tight I pulled away! “Ow Mommy!” I said, “you hurt me.” “Sorry, sweety,” She said in a crackling voice looking down at me now. I had to look twice to make sure it was my mom. Her eyes looked like a swarm of bees had stung them, and her cheeks sunk in like a land...

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“Sorry, not sorry” by Hannah Wall

Submitted to Contest #264

I need to stop agreeing to be the plus one to friends for a wedding they’re going to. There is no shame in being single at a wedding. I mean, come on; there could be hot singles there. One of my best memories came from being at a wedding. I had a three-way with the best man and his girlfriend. I ended up breaking the pair up and dating the girlfriend, sorry, not sorry.“You look beautiful, Cathy. Do you really have to wear the same dress to every wedding you go to though?” My date for the night, Jonny whined, the ungrateful oath. I am not was...

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“Acquisition Failure #77: Emma” by Marion Ward

Submitted to Contest #264

Supervisor Kevod pinches the top of his snout in exasperation, all six of his light receptors slamming shut at once. Without opening any of what Earthlings might call his eyes, he gestures at the seat in front of his desk with an auxiliary tendril, wordlessly inviting me to sit.I sit. The chair creaks loudly in response to my density. In a stale gust that unrolls over the desk and across the tender, recently molted skin of my face, he releases the breath he'd been holding as a sigh. "Do you have any idea why I've called you in here toda...

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“Scottish Festival Surprise” by Emily A Dinwiddie

Submitted to Contest #264

Eleanor Morgan Dunwythe, a 30-something-year-old lady, five feet seven inches tall, a few extra pounds, with hazel eyes, auburn hair, and fair skin, dressed in a burgundy skirt with a white peasant blouse and a burgundy vest, walks through the local annual Scottish festival, filled with all different colour tents: white, blue and white striped, brown and white, canvas. The sounds of laughter, negotiating of purchases, tempting offers and Celtic music float on the slight breeze. She is perusing the items for sale or display in the various boo...

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“Sea of Love” by Vickie Riggan

Submitted to Contest #264

Vickie Riggan1586 words Sea of Love Mattie sat in the lobby of the chapel and turned the slick full color brochure over in her hands reading the blurbs, ignoring the posed photos of young, blissful brides in billowing white gowns with veils floating on invisible breezes. “Do you remember the day you met? Of course you do, and you’ll never forget the day you wed at Sea of Love Wedding Chapel.” She thought it sounded kind of cheesy but how many ways can you say, “Come and get married at our wedding chapel as opposed to ...

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“Devil Bride” by Carolina Garcia

Submitted to Contest #264

TW: Language and verbal/emotional abuse“Has anyone seen Vanessa? Where the fuck is Vanessa?”Sydney scurried while lifting her dress to prevent her heels from ripping holes in it, although that could not make the awful thing look any uglier. She was the bridesmaid and best friend of the bride, she was used to being supportive of Vanessa’s poor judgment, in this case, a purple 1920s-looking ruffled dress with netting. Considering her track record, Vanessa picked a decent groom. Everyone loved James and on the best days, Vanessa did too.Sydney ...

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“The Commitment ” by Iman Khan

Submitted to Contest #264

“That’s Clarissa. She likes to sew,” says the woman Alice assumes is a nurse showing her around. She wears pale yellow scrubs as she leads her through the day room. The woman she gestured to is stabbing at a piece of fabric with a plastic needle. “We give her blunt plastic ones.” “And that’s safe?” Alice can’t help but ask. She’s still in her everyday clothes, but suspects she’ll be asked to change into the gown the woman with the needle is wearing. The woman shrugs. The name tag pinned to her shirt reads, “Sophia,” in a scribbled font...

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“Spoons” by Kirsten Schuder

Submitted to Contest #264

The Gribbles family was known in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia as the poorest family in Lee County for generations. The hard, clay, lime-ridden dirt was richer than the Gribbles. Harley oft remembered having to share clothing, shoes, and silverware with his brothers and sisters. Thus, when he managed to make his own money as a welder instead of spending the better part of his days inside a moonshine bottle, a revolution in his genetic lineage, all he asked his godforsaken wife was to keep the dishes clean and lots of silverware on ha...

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“Awakening my Vengenance” by Vee Ay

Submitted to Contest #264

I stood at the edge of the bridge, staring down at the murky water below. It seemed almost peaceful, the way the waves lapped gently against the supports—a stark contrast to the storm that raged inside me. This place had always drawn me, even before my life had crumbled into the mess it was now. The idea of ending it all here, where the world had finally broken me, felt almost poetic. As I looked down, the distance between the bridge and the water blurred, becoming just one more thing I couldn’t quite focus on anymore. I hadn’t come here on ...

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“Non-Fantasy Wedding” by Debra Koffski

Submitted to Contest #264

It was a cool, crisp beginning of a Fall Day. The air smelled fresh and new, and the orange and yellow leaves were being pushed out of the trees by an autumn breeze. It was Saturday, and I was looking for something to do. I was out on the balcony of my condo when my cell phone rang. I ran in, almost tripping over my ottoman trying to answer it. “Hello”, I answered. A woman spoke “Hi, this is Martha over at Happy Farms nursing home. I’m calling about your great grandma, Joan. I tried calling your mom but she wasn’t res...

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“Blue Eyes” by Falynn Almeda

Submitted to Contest #264

I never considered myself antisocial or social. I didn’t prefer crowds but would be in them for sporting events or concerts. I liked going to movies on opening night to avoid spoilers- can't be spoiled if you see it immediately. I don’t know why I was worried about it when my social media was all sports and gaming stuff anyway. I’m Jeremy and I considered myself a usual 24-year-old guy, with medium blonde hair and blue eyes, glasses, average height and average weight. I’d been working at the same factory with my best friend fr...

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“The Bookshelf” by Ethan Zimmerman

Submitted to Contest #264

I had no idea what to write for the most recent Reedsy prompt. I chose the one I liked the best out of five, and even this one did nothing to move me into action. I honestly don't know what's wrong with me. I do not know what to write. I went to the kitchen and heated up some rice and some kale and added some soy sauce to it, hoping that would help. I went back to my office and sat down and still nothing. I finished eating and washed it all down with some water out of the white Yeti bottle that was a gift from a friend. Every time I drink ou...

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“How to Lose 82 Pounds in 2 Hours” by Linda De Boer

Submitted to Contest #264

Trigger warning: eating disorder.My friends kept telling me it’s normal for me to feel this way, that they googled “five stages of grief” and bargaining was the second one. I haven’t talked to them in four weeks. I’m still counting. It’s not that they hurt me or anything - but I just think they’re wrong. I think it’s not that simple, and I think that nothing about any of this is normal. Sure, maybe your grandparents died, or maybe your parents died and you’re an adult, and you’re going through the five stages of grief written in monotones on...

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$250

Prize money

288

Contest entries

105

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 23, 2024 EST

Won by Lonnie Russo 🏆

Title: Men on the Moon

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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