Originally Posted By mickeymeg You guys are fantastic with all the ideas. Here is the latest update. We have found the 'magical wedding guy' as I keep calling him (the officiant) and booked him. So, the date is officially Aug. 26th (why is this slightly more scary now =) We have a friend who has connections to invitation and cake making people so will get that underway in the near future. One of my closest friends is a fantastic photographer so I am debating asking him to take care of that aspect of things. My mum has a friend who is owns a florist shop so will deal with frou frou things. We are still thinking about keeping the food aspect as pot luck, though when I mentioned this to my mum she nearly had a bird and went on about how 'traditionally blah blah blah. I keep trying to tell her we are not the traditional sort. What do you think ? Is pot luck to tacky ? Any one have experience here ? Did it work for you ? The other thing I am still debating about is the whole bridesmaid thing. Should I ask my best friend and sister to fill these roles ? or should I just skip them all together. Part of the problem is that I have only really attended 2 weddings in my life and I don't really remember much of either of them so I don't really know the purpose of the bridesmaids. There are no instructions as to who does what and when. This wedding thing is kinda like organizing for a play with no script and no director, we don't even know how many people should be in the cast =) Thanks for your thoughts. -Megºoº
Originally Posted By RoadTrip We were married in the living room of our home by a Baptist minister from the church my mother attended. The only people at the actual ceremony were our parents, siblings, and very best friends. Afterwards we had a big party with about 50 or so people attending. We had a very light meal catered... tea sandwiches, mints and nuts, coffee and punch, and a large sheet cake for our wedding cake. We bought two cases of champagne and five cases of beer for folks to drink during the party. We spent less than $1,000 for everything including our wedding bands. Of course that was over 28 years ago so it would cost more now. We had a GREAT time that day, and after 28 years it obviously worked a little better than the fancy church wedding we each had the first time around!! ;-) As for the pot luck, I guess I agree with your mother. People really don't want to mess with cooking when they are going to a wedding. I think it is better to either have a light meal catered... if you limit it like we did it doesn't really cost much. Best Wishes!!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I think that the potluck thing depends on whether or not you want gifts. If you make it a potluck, it's very very casual (which I believe is what you want) but it implies--to me--that your presense and your food is all we want. When you provide food, even causual food, like a couple of 6 feet subs, people feel more obligated to bring gifts. I'm just sayin'! Maybe a somewhat compromize is in order. Imagine the following conversation. Aunt Betty: I've just recived your invitation in the mail, I'm so excited for you! Is there anything I can do to help with the wedding? You: Oh, Aunt Betty, thank you so much we're excited too. I think we've just about got it taken care of, but we may need help with food. AB: Oh, anything for my favorite neice! You: If you could bring a (Salad, rolls, etc.) that would be so fabulous! AB: Of course dear, I'd love to help! Multiply that conversation by 5 or 10 times and you've cut down your food budget dramatically. In that situation you would probably provide the main dish (BBQ?) --Though you may put Aunt Betty's lovely husband Uncle Jeff in charge of the BBQ, leaving you to mingle with your guests. You also wouldn't ask anybody cold, but just those who asked if there was anything they could do to help.
