Off-Topic: Help me get married

OK, I read this on my phone and couldn't wait to get to my computer to respond to you!!!  I am so happy for you.  You already received great advice and I agree with all of it.  Make it work for you, the people that love you will work around your needs and on this day, that's OK.  Does the venue have a caterer that they use?  I bet they can help you figure it all out.  Hire someone to help on the day of the wedding and don't stress about anything at all on that day.  Just take in the beauty of making the vows to each other.  That is what this is all about.  The party is great, but it's about the sacredness of the moment.  Guard that, don't allow stress or little hassles to get in the way of the joy.

Oh Elina, you are always so sweet -

The place I'm thinking of is Ramekins, which is a cooking school with a quaint outdoor courtyard.  Food is part of their package.  After reading all the other advice, I will definitely be hiring someone for day-of; in fact, to have a ceremony at Ramekins it turns out it's required!  (Along with wedding insurance).  

Thanks again for reminding me what to focus on - you're always great for that!

I totally SUCK at all of this stuff, but wanted to say CONGRATS!

Thanks, hot mama!

Congrats Ruggie !!!

frisco

1. No kids. Totally fine.

2. Stop being a cheap ass and make the wedding on the weekend. Give the folks who want to see you too joined til death do you part a little bit of help here. If they have to find a babsitter AND take off work - I mean come on.

3. Get the invites out a month in advance.

4. The rest is for you and your gorgeous fiance (did I write gorgeous? Opps. That was supposed to stay in my head) Have food that works for you all. Have single-serving cakes (aka - pretty, expensive cupcakes) if a cake is going to torment you. Open bar? I wouldn't, but if you all are drinkers, it's up to you. If you don't do an open bar, think about having other drinks available - which you should anyway.

Congratulations! Wish I could crash the party!

Thanks!

Congratulations!!!!  Lovely photo of you guys!

1. we are having an adults only wedding - its our day - our choice

2. we chose a friday night as it is Valentines Day...the only thing to remember is that some people may not get time off work if you do it on a weekday - otherwise...great idea

3. Save the Date: when did this concept arise....???  it didnt used to be about years ago.  We are only hving around 50-80 people and will give them a good 10 weeks warning with the invite.  Cant be bothered spending more $$ on save the date cards etc.

4. We are minimalist wedding:  celebrant, venue, stand up canapes, champagne, wine, beer and juice only (our friends are here to see us marry not to get a free feed or get smashed!).  Music through a sound system.  WE are hiring an amszing venue on waterfront - bare floor boards, white walls, big windows - the ONLY decorations we will have will be green and white flower arrangements kind of lush and informal.  A friend who is a hobby photographer will take the pics...candid, non formal and we will give her a small sum to say thanks - we will then choose which pics we want from the computer and get printed ourselves. 

5. Somewhere to stay the night before and the night after?

6. Candy bars, cigar bars, personalised candy, bonbonierre etc.... $$ and not what i would choose.

7.  simple, minimalist, calm, fun. We are only hiring our venue for 4 hours max from set up to finish. This is OUR day!

8. What do people do?   they are there to celebrate your love and lives....  reception - only if you want..its YOUR DAY..  you could provide them with a link to the venue and surrounds and they can make their own plans.  I do think that at some stage they would like to socialise with you  at the wedding and enjoy your moment - that does not need to include food but you could offer a glass or to of champagne to celebrate.

9. We are getting dressed together (me a dress, my partner a girl suit) in a hotel close by and will walk together to be married (if the legislation changes by then otherwise it will be a civil ceremony) - we are not interested in traditional 'giving away' - we want ours to reflect our partnership...doing it together kind of thing.  We will stand before our friends with a celebrant and be married with little fuss and pomp - no cheesy stories of how we met etc - just basic and plain and simple.

You must be SO excited....

Wow, you're definitely very ahead of me in terms of planning.... I feel so behind now!!!

Perhaps you could give me tips on how to find a celebrant?  I'm a bit stuck on that as well....

Have you considered a destination wedding? The Mexican all-inclusives offer some great deals in September. They usually have a wedding planner available to handle the details. We did that for my niece and it was so much fun. If you have guests flying in anyway this could make more sense and the resort is full of ready-made entertainment, food, etc.