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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

“The Reclamation of Sue Ellen” by Carly Dodgen

Submitted to Contest #264

Sue Ellen sat at her desk sipping her Earl Grey and eating her usual lunch of low-fat turkey and a hastily prepared salad. The more she thought about it, the more she began to believe what her recent ex-boyfriend, Brian had said. She was boring, and her need for order and routine was getting in the way of her life. She had eaten this lunch every workday for the past two months with no problems, but today it tasted bland and unappealing. Just like her. The thought snuck into her head greasily, leaving an unpleasant feeling. B...

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“The whole truth ” by Kaitlin Hanson

Submitted to Contest #264

Trigger warning: Swearing Molly stood up, tugging at her hemline. She had never been comfortable in this type of elaborate attire. Her sleek, black outfit might have been too provocative for this occasion. The form-fitting dress made her feel more claustrophobic than an overbooked aircraft. She blew her nose on toilet paper squares from the stall while approaching the vanity. Get it together, girl she muttered, as she scrubbed her shaking hands in the automatic sink. “You’re always so hard on yourself”, Tara stated, pulling a fresh pack of ...

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“half of my soul” by Lea Hoffmann

Submitted to Contest #264

Plus one—I glance at the wedding invitation on my desk one last time before hearing Vanessa buzz at the door. My girlfriend had invited me to one of her distant cousin’s big white wedding at a grand estate or whatnot tucked away in the picturesque Kent. “I’m coming,” I call out, locking the door behind me. “There’s no rush, we still have some time before it starts,” Vanessa reassures me with a smile. “You look great by the way, lovely dress.”We slide into the back of the cab. The drive to the venue takes about 40 minutes, but it flies ...

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“Claire and Billy” by Ariella Ross

Submitted to Contest #264

The kissing stopped as she looked up at me and asked, “Are you doing anything next weekend?” Trying to maintain the mood, I responded, “Hopefully hanging out with you.” I went in for another kiss but felt her hand push up against my shoulder. Time to stop, I thought. “Would you like to come with me to my sister’s wedding?” The surprise of this questions stoppe...

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“The Wedding Plot” by Stephanie Magalhaes

Submitted to Contest #264

I’ve never once met anyone who actually enjoyed weddings. Or wedding rehearsals, for that matter, which is where I am now, surrounded by bouquets that only make me sneeze. The three-inch heels on my feet look fantastic, but I may not have a pinky toe tomorrow morning. And I already spilled red wine on my $200 dress. All to say, I don’t want to be here. If I had a choice, I would be curled up in bed, watching the latest episode of Love Island. “You remember the plan?” A whisper into my ear from behind breaks my concentration. The purse in my ...

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“I Definitely do!” by Gloria Bartone

Submitted to Contest #264

In all the annals of history, there are none so romantic as the love affair that ends happily at the altar. All is indeed well that ends well, and this particular wedding ended, well, unusually, but as well as it could ,which was well for the participants but for the witnesses and spectators,well....Let me start off by saying I was not a participant in this particular ceremony, but my sister and I were going as invited guests. As neighbors and longtime playmates of the bride and her maiden of honour, we accepted the invitation along with our...

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“I'm Yours” by Julie Vincent

Submitted to Contest #264

Next morning, as we drove down Hunter Street Newcastle, I gasped in horror at seeing bridal boutiques down both sides of the street. What is this place? I heard a very clear, ‘Before you leave this place you’ll be married.’ This freaked me out. Was it God? The idea of marriage terrified me. And there was more, ‘You’ll have so many friends, you won’t want to leave.’ Uh? I don’t know anybody. I’m alone. I’m a mess. How could it be?Not knowing what else to do, the couple left me at a refuge. I was shown around. When we got to the part of the sp...

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“It's the end of her world” by Beatrice Diana

Submitted to Contest #264

Do I? I have no idea; how did I end up here? With him? I mean, I know yea, I know. Is it really too late for me? At 38, it’s late, right? It’s not the end of the world, right? It’s just marriage, right? Right? Wrong? Maybe I can throw myself off this cliff, why not after all, that’d be a real cliff-hanger for the wedding. Probably the best story for all my 300 guests to say for at least 3 months, they can get all the pity in the world for a second, them, not me, they would all think they're so interesting for attending that wedding that’d pr...

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“He loves me not” by Alchemical Attitudes

Submitted to Contest #264

HE LOVES ME NOT BY MERCER O’CONNOR By Mercer O'Connor, this story tells the tale of Everleigh, a 28 year old publicist from Charleston, West Virginia. In this story of beauty and sapphic endeavors she celebrates her big day! Everleigh has been virtually in love with her handsome Australian Fiancé Elijah ever since he first sent his works of poetry to her office. Two years of online passion and friendship has now gone by and they are ready to tie the knot. However, her meeting of his mother would forever change the way she saw herself...

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“Forever And Ever” by Jonah Yuhas

Submitted to Contest #264

The church bells echoed through Belmont Massachusetts welcoming the whole town to join us on this special day. Goosebumps cover my body and my palms begin to sweat. “I can’t do this.” I say out loud. “No, I can do this. Stay positive, I am about to spend the rest of my life with someone who adores me.” Take a deep breath, Annie, I tell myself putting on my wedding veil and earrings. I can hear my heart pounding through the music outside the church doors. I stare at myself in the mirror, fixing my long-sleeved champagne silky dres...

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“From Beginning to End” by Lindsay Burns

Submitted to Contest #264

The Proposal‘Yes…yes I will!’, said Lizzie. She’d never forget this day, this proposal, on top of a hill overlooking the town that she loved. The wind almost blew the tiny jewellery box out of her boyfriend’s…fiancé’s…hand. A simple solitaire, exactly what she would have chosen. It had only been a year, but he knew her so well. ‘Let’s not wait,’ said Rick. ‘Let’s get married this Christmas.’ Lizzie hesitated. That would only give them six months. It would be freezing in December, raining perhaps, but then again, this far north, the same coul...

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“The Wedding Girls” by Molly Shortle

Submitted to Contest #264

“Is that the wedding girl?” little 6-year-old Anna asked, looking at the photo of my Mum’s wedding. My Aunt Monie and I laughed at her granddaughter’s use of the word girl, even though I suppose Mum was younger than I was then - in her early thirties. It was just that the 1950’s hairdos were so severe with hair pulled up sharply into a bun or a roll, that everybody seemed older than their age then and very un-girl like.Aunty Monie and I had just been looking through a whole pile of photographs from the 1950’s of her wedding to my ...

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“Love and Spooks” by Justin Diaz

Submitted to Contest #264

Love and Spooks “Aaaahh!” screamed Stephanie as she let out a high-pitched shriek of terror as she was greeted by the sight of a rather realistic looking werewolf looking ready to pounce upon entering the two-story house. Behind her a cry of laughter rang out as she felt her friend’s hand rest on her shoulder trying to calm her down. “Easy Steph, it’s just Frank” The werewolf straightened his stance and looked more relaxed now. It looked silly to Amelia to see a werewolf go from a fierce pose to standing casually and waving like a shy kid in...

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“Octopus” by Yusuf Adkins

Submitted to Contest #264

“Are you a groomsman?” “I’m not that important. We lost touch a little these past few years, but I’m not sure if I ever would have qualified to be a groomsman. We went to high school together. Now, one of his groomsmen, I was a groomsman at his wedding. So, it all evens out.” She smiles, then responds, “I probably already knew that answer. I’ve never heard you mentioned before.” “Well, I know when to judge a conversation by the stuff in it, not by its words. I think you just dissed me politely. I mean, I think you actually do like me.” “You’...

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“The Wedded Couple” by Paul Crehan

Submitted to Contest #264

The Wedded CoupleByPaul CrehanThey had met at a bakery four years ago. Now here they were, a bride and groom in a hotel kitchen, waiting for their big entrance into the reception.“You look happy,” the groom said, and said the bride, “I couldn’t wipe this smile off my face if I tried.”He squeezed her hand. “Me, too.”They listened to the DJ spin dance floor magic, and listened to the happy hubbub of 110 guests.The toasts and speeches—all that—had been funny and heartwarming. An uncle of the groom was particularly good—had the banquet hall in a...

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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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