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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

“Love in the Last Days” by Stacy Collins

Submitted to Contest #264

In the desolate expanse of a world ravaged by a zombie apocalypse, love was a luxury most thought lost forever. The streets once teeming with life were now silent, save for the occasional groans of the undead and the rustling of the wind through abandoned streets and storefronts. Humanity had been reduced to a scattered, desperate few. It was in this bleak landscape that an unexpected love story began.As the pandemic began to unfold, chaos erupted. The initial panic drove people to commit unimaginable acts of desperation. In the frenzy of lo...

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“There Was Electricity in the Air” by Daniel P

Submitted to Contest #264

The room emitted a quiet patience which rubbed off on William as he waited for the arrival of other guests. Despite the gravity of the occasion, the space seemed to hum with a calm anticipation. Warm amber light began to splash across high walls, filtering through windows positioned near the ceiling. He gazed up at the closest window and saw the morning sky unfurl in soft shades of blue, tinged with pink and orange. To have the ceremony take place on such a stellar morning was something he was grateful for. It was an added blessing th...

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“Buddy Says I Do” by Cat Lockhart

Submitted to Contest #264

Buddy started out life as “that runty puppy”, the one with the weird orange patch on an otherwise silky black ear. He had seven sisters and a brother. In the crush, his mother, a sharp-nosed terrier of an indiscriminate tan color, was too overwhelmed to take notice of the smallest member of her litter. Buddy struggled to suckle because the others crawled over him and nudged him off the teat. If he could see himself, he would have realized he looked a little crazy. He had a lazy left eye. His right ear sat up high while his other ear flopped....

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“The Best Man's Speech” by Boyan Kracholov

Submitted to Contest #264

“What’s the word? What’s the damn word?”Although you could swear it is on the tip of your tongue, you’re standing, awkwardly silent, amidst the crowd; your speech suddenly interrupted by a blank spot just before its culmination. It’s not every day your best friend is marrying and it’s not every day you are invited to be the best man either, so how could a measly forgotten word stop your otherwise so heartfelt speech dead in its tracks? True, during the past few weeks you’ve been (on multiple occasions) reminded that a best man’s speech is on...

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“A Match for You ” by Ava Kenemuth

Submitted to Contest #264

I popped a squat down on the black diamond bench. I dropped the red plastic jug at my feet and gently placed her leather bound journal next to me. I took this moment to bask. I stared across the bright green field. Everything about the field screams superiority and confidence. The precise white tape slices the field into yard lines. The tall silver field lights there to illuminate victory. The stiff bleachers that anticipate sitting the whole school. The obnoxiously sized score board ready to gloat about the home team. The gold goal posts fl...

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“Beware of Second Chances” by Maddie Bower

Submitted to Contest #264

TW: Violence, Domestic AbuseA beautiful, warm light surrounds me, as I walk down the narrow path. Everything is exactly as I had hoped. My white dress perfectly drapes onto the rose petals all over the ground. Everyone that I love is staring at me, and only me. Just as I’m about to reach the alter, a loud bell rings in the distance.The loud noise startles me awake, but it takes a second to sink in the fact that I’m not at my wedding, but in my advanced chemistry class. I quickly gather up my stuff and head towards the exit. Just as I’m about...

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“Luxe Lies & Black Ties” by Alyssa Goh

Submitted to Contest #264

The invitation was one of those heavy, embossed things that felt more like a college diploma than a request to attend a wedding. No one had inhabited the apartment next door for months, maybe even years, so it struck me as extremely odd that it sat on the doorstep of 4A. The crisp envelope was lined with beautiful gold trim, the kind of summons that immediately tells you this event is going to be something you’ll need to arrive in a limo for. I couldn’t help but be intrigued. The words “Plus One Allowed” were basically leaping off the paper,...

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“A Memorable Proposal” by Lisa Onion

Submitted to Contest #264

I can't believe he proposed to me this way but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way because I will be telling this story to my grandkids and for the years to come. I was just getting off the plane after I had messaged my boyfriend that I was landing and he would make his way to find me at the airport. I was so excited that my stomach was doing flips and my hands were sweaty. After gathering my bags at baggage claim, I made my way out of the airport to wait for Jack to come get me. Soon enough I see him coming, a smile plaste...

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“Reliving” by Denis Baldwin

Submitted to Contest #264

The building appeared innocuous enough, a large gray commercial building, windowless in form without any logos or identification. The address was correct, the place I’d been told to go to if I wanted to see my wife–my future wife I corrected myself. It all felt wrong though, or at the very least, highly likely that this would all be a big waste of time. Still, I'd come this far. Inside the building was completely empty, in mid-construction that appeared abandoned months ago. “Great,” I said to myself. I tried not to be disappointed; I ...

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“Old Bag” by Sarah Spring

Submitted to Contest #264

A woman in a green dress asked if I could watch her purse while she went to the restroom. Something about being my age allows people to assume that I will watch things despite not being able to see all that well. I wear the most idiotic glasses lately. I had little choice in the matter as my son picked them out of a catalog for me. They are rectangular and become dark in the sunlight which makes me think I’m dying about 14 times a day. I can see clearly enough to read the woman’s driver’s license. She was born the same year that I reti...

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“The Best Fall Ever” by Haneul Cho

Submitted to Contest #264

**Haley**I’m Haley Johnson, and I have a heart condition called arrhythmia. I found out a few weeks ago when I fainted due to low blood flow. I used to have a dream—a dream of skydiving. My mom even promised to take me on my 16th birthday, which is in a few days. But now, that seems very unlikely… "Mom, we need milk, meat, flour, potatoes, sugar, fish, butter, and salt." As I walk down the baking aisle, I spot Ethan’s family and Andy’s family. The parents are chatting while Ethan and Andy play around. I’ve never understood why Ethan is frien...

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“"Do You?"” by Bracy Ratcliff

Submitted to Contest #264

CAUTION: Contains discussion on controverial political and human rights issues.Do You?“I do,” is a widely used, very simple affirmation. I use it all the time, I do. I do like my pepperoni pizza on Friday nights. I do enjoy driving my loud, fast muscle car, and I do get annoyed easily by . . . certain public speakers. On the other hand, that simple phrase, in certain scenarios, is a powerful statement of commitment to what we hope will be a life-long, mutually respectful relationship. a relationship where parties agree to...

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“A Kiss, A Coffee, and A Bagel ” by WM .

Submitted to Contest #264

“Yeah I have one, I’ve just never been. No, I’m serious! For real, honest to God! That sounds crazy, I can only imagine what that’s like. How often do y’all travel? That much? Oh, my God. And you said you're going where next?” “We're going to Rome!” Julie responds, laughing at all my responses. “I don’t know… I’ve heard a thing or two about being flown out for vacations lol.” I responded. “That’s not funny.” She responds with an upside down emoji. I start typing, then deleting, then typing again. Before I can send off a message, I notice an ...

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“So you want to be a cop?” by Donovan Santos

Submitted to Contest #264

I wake up feeling blessed to experience so many beautiful moments; my girlfriend still asleep beside me, a delicious breakfast, the blue hue that covers the city just before sunrise, a lovely conversation with a barista at the coffee shop I’m a regular at and listening to my favorite jams on the bus to work. But it's after this vitalizing morning routine is where I start to feel like a side character in my own story. As an IT specialist, I definitely have it made, working in an air-conditioned building with one hour lunch breaks beats diggin...

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“A Casual Look” by James Barrett

Submitted to Contest #264

Center your story around two people who meet at a wedding.A casual look, a little wink Can reveal just what you think …(The Six Teens, 1956) My name is Daniel Lassiter. Everybody calls me Dan. At least everybody did before the wedding. Since that episode, most people have put adjectives before my name with four letters. Still, it was the happiest day of my life and the strangest. All I did was answer the minister's question honestly. What was I supposed to do? Lie?I’m in my late twenties. I didn’t have a serious girlfriend. I didn’t have any...

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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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