What is a small wedding?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

No they haven't had the wedding yet. But it turns out they plan to have a civil ceremony at city hall this autumn. A reception will be the next day, a couple hours away in a rural town. That is where the 100+ guests will come in. I really don't know much about the plans. I'll just offer whatever might be helpful and turn up when and where asked.

[Like2Plan]

It sounds like they are being very sensible in their celebration. A very happy time for you all.

[97guns]

last week i went to the county recording office and got married and had an express marriage ceremony for $200 including the license. it was only our witness, my wife and I and the chick behind the counter performing the ceremony, didnt have to spend money for a reception either, the food from mcdonalds drive through was superb

[Gailete]

In my mind a 'small' wedding is a bride and groom, any needed witnesses and the person doing the marrying.

I think part of the semantics about the whole thing is small as in relation to dollars spent. When My husband and I got married, we invited all relatives that we thought would want to come, my co-workers at the time, and our church friends, etc. I have no clue how many were there, maybe 150. We didn't have a sit down dinner, just basically a cake and punch reception as it took place in the evening on Valentines Day. I think we ended up with more that we might normally have had simply as it was a way for some couples to go out and do something 'romantic' on the day. In all I think we spent around $2000 and that included making our own invitations and mailing out thank you notes, cake, instead of lots of flowers, we had candle arrangements at the front of the church and one bouquet of roses that hubby bought for me to wake up and see on my wedding morning. Our honeymoon was us going back to my house and he got to spend the night as we weren't living together prior. That was fun. Opening wedding presents in the middle of the night and being able to remember and comment on them, eating wedding cake and just generally having fun. Compared to my first marriage where if I had had the ability I would have left about 2 hours into the marriage, a much nicer honeymoon for sure! So while not small number wise, it also wasn't horribly expensive either but very nice. The weirdest part was while we were in the receiving line, the lady that played the organ came up to us and demanded her check right then and there! We had them made out for those that needed paid, but had planned to give them to them after to the wedding and the receiving line. We hadn't expected to hand them out during that time.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Congratulations, 97guns and may you have many happy years full of sweetness and light!

[97guns]

Congratulations, 97guns and may you have many happy years full of sweetness and light!

thank you!

[Nutria]

The weirdest part was while we were in the receiving line, the lady that played the organ came up to us and demanded her check right then and there!

Where in your wedding dress did she expect you to keep the check?

[Gailete]

Where in your wedding dress did she expect you to keep the check?

Maybe stuffed in the bodice? I did have a small wedding purse I made myself so I had a place for my hankie since I have allergies, but I sure wasn't carrying around checks for people. Maybe she thought hubby had them in his tux? I just thought it was rude and I was embarrassed as she wasn't quiet about it.

[Nutria]

just thought it was rude and I was embarrassed as she wasn't quiet about it.

I hope you spread the word about her actions, so that other people wouldn't hire her.

[siggy_freud]

For us a small wedding meant 18 of our closest family and friends. We rented out a room at a nice high-rise restaurant in the city and had a private bar. We didn't ask for anyone to cover anything, but my mom ended up paying for the food and my dad the bar. My in-laws paid for the flowers and made the deserts.

I think the wedding cost us about 2k in all, and it was awesome. Our only regret was not having the space for music/dancing, but we all went and changed after and went to another high-rise bar that had music and dancing, so it ended up fine.

I have been to a lot of friend's 50-100+people weddings, and I wouldn't trade ours for any of them, even if cost was no object.

Our best friend married us, and our other best friends and family were there to enjoy good company and food.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

That sounds like a fine celebration, siggy freud.

[clatoden99]

Seriosuly, I wouldn't change anything about the wedding itself. We got married on less than $2000 and it was perfect. The marriage, not so much. I would change the bride and keep everything else.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Congratualtions 97guns! Now will your life change at all?

[97guns]

more travel, less saving

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Does she work? Going to have kids?