PHP/MYSQL Personals Query

Hi all, I can't believe I'm finaly going to dive in, I never thought I'd get the nerve to tackle this.

After seeing a dating site that looked similar to something I imagined in my head since forever, I decided I was going to do what I've been putting off for several years and make an attempt to create an app that would do my daydream justice. I know what I'm attempting is a tall order for someone who doesn't know squat about PHP/MYSQL coding, but I really have a desire to get it done.

What sucks is I waited so long to make this choice I don't have the time to learn this at my leisure like I would like to and time is against me. I've spent all the free time I could overnight trying to soak as much as possible before work, but found it impossible to focus... I guess have several questions.

Would it be neccessary for me to know PHP from A-Z to gain the know-how on scripting a personals site? Are there any shortcuts that can be taken once I get the basics down; such as specific tutorials that cover the whole territory? I took one look at the PHP manual and It was like viewing the tower of babble. I wish I had the time.

Anywho, here's the site that renewed my inspiration. http://www.webdate.com

I downloaded some of the php files, but couldn't make sense of them. I kept getting a login page so I guess that meant I couldn't retrieve any info locally. I was trying hard to get a grasp on how the search form and all the member features were made lol.