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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

“BEING THE LIGHT IN SOMEONE’S DARKNESS” by Robert Kovacs

Submitted to Contest #264

I've prepared for your imminent retirement which was originally planned for April 2020, but that is also the same time the world was starting a shutdown due to Covid. You decided to stay and ride out the tidal wave of unchartered waters and ride the wave as a first-rated surfer not sure of not the just what, but when will the next wave will hit. Your fiscal austerity guided our YMCA athough these difficult times and just over two years, we may not be fully out of the impact of the pandemic, but there is light being seen with our me...

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“Best Man Doing His Best” by William Simon

Submitted to Contest #264

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Roy, and I am the best man. When Paul first asked me to be his best man, I was surprised but honored. I couldn’t say no. I first met Paul four years ago when I joined KDWC. I am a Junior Manager at KDWC and Paul is a very respected partner at the firm. So, as I said, I could not say no. As I didn’t know Paul in his younger years, primarily due to not yet having been born, I have spoken to those who do remember those times and will share some of those stories now. Paul’s mom, Judy, remem...

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“Bachelor's Buttons” by Joshua Petty

Submitted to Contest #264

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today…wait, that's not my line! A lot of you know me, but for those that don't, I'm Charlie Jorgenson and I'm the Best Man, at least today, but usually the best is our Max. I can see some frantic panic going around the crowd there, since I'm speaking from the altar here, and we have yet to see the bride or groom. There’s only minutes until the ceremony is supposed to start, but before you get too worried, there is still going to be a wedding today! “I have to admit, I am scrambling a bit here. I re...

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“one ticket for the souls of the damned ” by Seni Meni

Submitted to Contest #264

The muffled snarls got louder when the guests filtered in. The wood creaked from the stress of the ghouls pressing against it. These sounds were still audible, even under the jolly marching band positioned along the docks; even under the clink of champagne glasses. As the water spat on the shores, the city folk spat back at the boat behind their decorated masks, held up by a stick between gloved fingers. The dress-code was black: black like the dammed souls banging on the oak. It was suitably mocking. It was suitably fitting. The city folk w...

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“Don't Do This To Me” by Michael Mackenzie

Submitted to Contest #264

Rhys stood beneath the bright chandelier in the threshold of his parent’s mansion, staring though the windows wondering how close he was to a liquor store when he caught a glimpse of two men standing on their driveway, peering into the house. “Rhys,” Abigail said, tapping him on the shoulder, her thin fingers pressing against his shoulders. “This is bad Mom,” R...

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“The Scarlett Letter” by Hannah U.

Submitted to Contest #264

“Jenny, are you almost ready?!” John yelled from the bottom of the stairs. How is he able to speak out of turn after I hexed him last night? There must have been a mistake. I roll my eyes, annoyed with his happy-go-lucky attitude that snaked its way through my efforts. Today is his cousin’s wedding. The thought of his stupid little cousin brings the fiercest energy to my balled-up fists. I force myself to subdue my petulant attitude clawing its way up my throat and heating my cheeks. I urge myself to respond with a lilt, “Oh, sorry sweety! I...

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“The Weekend at the Wheels Inn” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #264

It was the third time we had gone away together, but the difference was that his entire extended family would be there with us this time. I hesitated when I heard that since we weren't exactly at that stage in our relationship yet, in my estimation. Michael picked me up on Thursday night. We both took Friday off since all of his aunts and uncles told him they were doing that. When we arrived at the Inn, I immediately noticed our rooms were all in a row on the same floor. That should've been my first red flag. The room doors were all open, an...

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“Vengeance Is Mine” by DJ Grohs

Submitted to Contest #264

Contains rape reference Ten fucking attendants. Who needs that many attendants for their wedding? But there they stand to the left of the bride-to-be, all dressed to the nines for the rehearsal, complete with fake eyelashes and sequins. It’s clear now why Josh’s presence was needed; if the bride has ten, so must the groom. A month earlier, Josh had come in from work, mail in hand. “You’ll be my plus one, won’t you babe?” He blithely passed me an opened envelope as he dumped his keys into the catch-all bowl by the refrigerator and heade...

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“They Have Each Other” by CJ Sieling

Submitted to Contest #264

Staring into the mirror, my only thought was, girl you look so damn good today. My wedding dress, yellow to signify the transition from childhood to adulthood, flowed down around my body, flaring out at the bottom. Dark hair, slightly curled, fell on my bare, olive tone shoulders. A flowered crown with an green base and small yellow flowers, that perfectly matched my dress, seemed to be the final touch that brought it all together. That woman in the mirror was mesmerizing. “Zaagi!” My best friend snapped me out of my daydream with her ...

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“Four Secrets and a Wedding” by Lindsay Nicole

Submitted to Contest #264

The lavish ballroom was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and the enchanting music of a live orchestra. For Amelia and David, the world had narrowed down to a cozy little corner, away from the prying eyes of the wedding guests. Amelia clutched her champagne flute, feeling an undeniable tension in the air that she just couldn’t shake off. “I still can’t believe you are doing this,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced over at the nearby crowd, where people were chatting and enjoying each other's company as they e...

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“A Night Rider” by Minka Paraskevova

Submitted to Contest #264

A Night Rider by Minka Paraskevova My passion for horses had led me to this remote island of dark gray dense mists and sharp mountain peaks, whose naked bodies were drowned in deep silence and bathed in daily rains. The wet leaves of the trees had cracked from the constantly rushing water from the sky and stretched out to the ground in desperate attempts to find support... My Scottish guide walked briskly in his deep boots. His hair was tightly clinging to his damp scalp, while the pale pinkness on his white face contrasted with the coal-bl...

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“The Journey To You” by Sammy Magic

Submitted to Contest #264

Author’s Note:You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough – Mae WestI dedicate this story to my future dogs, whom I will love for all eternity. Dray’s and Bronwyn’s love was something, but ours will be bigger. Thank you.⚬ ⚬ ⚬I waited in my room, my knuckles white and my breathing shallow. Through the window, I could see lines of soldiers patrolling the streets below. Was this really necessary? Couldn’t I stop this? Did lives have to be sacrificed for some senseless conflict? Why did I have to live in the West?I slowly walked o...

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“Do you believe?” by John Bryan

Submitted to Contest #264

"Could you imagine yourself standing up there?""Ha, not really" I smirk."This isn't my scene either" she adds, "but I like the concept."Wendy and I stand just inside the Chapel's atrium during this standing-room affair. Saint Patrick is the oldest and most prestigious church in the state. It's the place where the Who's Who congregate, mourn and celebrate. Just this past year, there was a Presidential speech, a previous 4-term Senator's funeral, several baptisms for the Elites, and a series of high-profile weddings.Wendy and I are not among t...

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“It's Hard To Make Friends” by Paul Hellyer

Submitted to Contest #264

The frigid streets were animated by the stirrings of leaves on the sidewalk. But George was lost in his own world, walking forward while staring at the ground in front of his feet, unassailable in the sanctuary of a bubble of his own creation.‘Why am I always like this?’ He said to himself, thinking of the events of yesterday.He had gone for the third time to a book club that he had joined because he had decided he was spending too much time alone. The book club had been a haven, a place of warmth in his otherwise cold life.&n...

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“I Do” by L.B. Goldman

Submitted to Contest #264

“I’m sorry, Jack. I can’t keep doing this. I… I think it's time we own up to what we’ve done.” Jack stares at Sabrina. He’s still smiling as if, like he’s thinking to himself right now, this isn’t happening. They’re at their spot. Leaning against the railing of the bridge that overlooks the river, which several aluminum signs along the way have warned them is shallower than it looks. Sabrina looks at the water, at the full moon reflected in a milky trail on the water’s surface. How many times they’ve come here, she thinks, the tw...

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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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