Shotgun wedding - help with plans/ timings

[Christmastree43]

Hello,

DP and I had a huge shock in early December, finding out I was 10 weeks pregnant making me due 01 July. All well before planned, we've just bought a house which needs a lot of work and obvs wanted to get married first.

Well we've decided to get married shotgun style before baby arrives, I've never wanted a princessy wedding anyway so a wedding of utility quite appeals!!

Being due in July and wanting a week's honeymoon/ last holiday before baby means the only time we can do it is early May - 8 weeks before baby's due so I can fly and best chance of good weather in the UK, and hopefully I won't be ginormous at that stage yet.

We want this to be really low key, my sister had the big country house wedding last October and I want that to stay her 'thing' and her day.

We have booked the local registry office for the wedding but wanted some people's input on our plans for after...

I was thinking gazebo in the garden flowing out from back of the house, caterers (BBQ or buffet?) and provide all the booze. There'll be about 40 people including 6 kids, for whom we've got a nice big new shed that I'll set up with lots of blankets and games.

Worries are

• is it a good idea given UK weather?! Well have heating, gazebos and three rooms downstairs for people to sit inside
• what food to do?! Wedding is at 2.15 (only other time was 10.45) so was thinking drinks beforehand, then either buffet or bbq caterers for after (what time?) we live literally ten mins walk from registry office
• shall we scrap the whole thing and do something completely different?!

We're on a major budget and a restaurant wouldn't work due to all the kids and also because I want it to be very relaxed, turn up/ leave when you want, completely free to attend etc

Ahhh help!!

[ineedaholidaynow]

Are there are any local church halls, scout huts near you which you can hire? Normally quite cheap.

[Christmastree43]

I'm thinking hot food i.e. Bbq will be welcome on an afternoon in May, BBQ is always good if it's sunny but I'm thinking something warm will be nice it's cold too?

To be honest I think my worst fear is it turning into a sad UK BBQ where you're all battened down in a gazebo that's about to take off with cold feet and noses and everyone wants to leave 🤣

[ineedaholidaynow]

Most halls have a kitchen so can decamp in there to cook if necessary

[Christmastree43]

Hey @ineedaholidaynow, there is a nice one near us but would be almost £400 to hire and you have to leave by 10pm and have cleaned it!

All the others are too big, too ugly etc

[MoaningMinniee]

Sounds like a lovely wedding, you've got space and shelter available in case of downpour, you're providing food and drink, you've thought about what to do with the children... Will there be enough room locally for guests to park?

[MoaningMinniee]

Can you get sides for the gazebo(s)?

[Christmastree43]

Hello @MoaningMinniee, thanks, yes parking is no problem near us.

Yes when I say gazebo I meant marquee really! It would be about 6mx4.5m on our lawn which apparently can seat up to 35 but we could have another marquee on the decking to connect the big marquee to the house, so id have tables and chairs set up inside too (it's a big through lounge with wooden flooring that backs onto the garden)

[ineedaholidaynow]

Wow Christmastree43 they are around £20 - £40 round here!

[Christmastree43]

@ineedaholidaynow that one is expensive but not even the most expensive! They're usually around £20 an hour here (Midlands city suburb) but some of them are awful, like smelly old gym halls!

[MoaningMinniee]

Go for it. Lots of extra pegs and string and garden wire and gaffa tape to hand for running repairs and draught-proofing (I have fixed gazebos and other tentage so many times with these handy items!) Definitely the extra one for the route between house and main gazebo. Hire or scrounge another heater?

Scout huts and church halls do tend to be a bit impersonal and institutional and decorating them is a nightmare, something in your own garden and home sounds lovely.

[TheFlis12345]

I would save yourselves a whole load of hassle and find a nice pub to host it for you if budget allows. Get one with a nice garden, but also space inside if weather is bad.

[Elizadoeslittle19]

Hi @Christmastree43 I don't think you can ever rely on the British weather even in the height of the summer !!! My friend got married mid August last year, it wasnt a dreadful day, a bit of rain in the morning, but it was windy sooooo windy !! We've had the 'best' of our weather in April / May the last few years. I think your plans for a very relaxed, informal celebration sound great. Go for it !