Last time I will post in here (for now)!

[Ladydutchalot]

How bad would eloping be? My Dad is being a total PITA over the whole fecking wedding. Not contributing a penny, but all my ideas are bad ones, except for the standard £16k wedding that we can't afford. I don't want him to come any more. My dad and I have a strained relationship at the best of times, and this is just driving me crazy! He has plenty of money, 4 houses, and both him and his wife work in the city, so are used to a certain level of wedding.

He is angry that my wedding dress is second hand, is angry that I wanted a church ceremony (I am religious, dp isn't), is angry that I am making the invites myself, and that we can only afford a community centre or a park for the reception. I don't want him to give me away, as he was not there while I grew up (he argues he was as he paid child support). He was not there when my mum died. He was not there when dd was born, but I still feel like I should be inviting him, which drives me crazy. His speech would be full of him berating me, telling George he has made a huge mistake etc (he sent us a card when we got engaged, which was sweet, but wrote inside that G was making a huge mistake and should not marry me).

The whole thing is making me want to avoid getting married at all. I want my friends and George's family there, they are all lovely, but I don't know if I can because of Dad, but at the same time cannot cope with the backlash if I don't invite Dad.

[Fredfred]

I got married abroad with just DH and me there. It was fantastic and took all the stress away. We chose a location far away so noone could come so there would be no arguements about who was/wasn't there. I sat on the beach till 2pm and then got married at 4pm!! Had a lovely holiday and beautiful wedding photos! (all organised through Virgin Holidays Weddings who were fab- you can find them online or go to a travel agent for a brochure).

You could always have a party at home after you get back which is what my friend did. She wore her wedding dress and it was lovely. They didn't have speeches, but her DH made a quick toast. It worked really well and everyone had a fab time.

Much much cheaper to do it that way!!!!

Hope you work it out. x