What makes a good wedding ? as for me it will be the marriage when I say I do but

[flowersinbloom]

Both of us agree the Marriage is foremost the most important then a meal for close family and friends,its the evening im not so sure about and fretting about,we also are saving for a house and have two children so money is an important factor,just dont know about the rest,thats why im asking Mnetters.

I couldn't wait to get out of the church to get the photo's over and done with to get on with the P A R T Y and it did not disappoint.

A good friend of mine is planning to have her reception in the church itself. As she and DP are broke, she is asking friends to bring a dish for a buffet, and the church has agreed to let another of her friends set up a small bar where people can buy drinks. They have to apply for a temporary licence. First drink free, and hopefully lots of food!

She has invited quite a lot of people, and a lot of them are doing favours for her, like flowers, cake, hair, photos, classic car, etc, all for free.

She isn't into getting pissed and partying, so it won't be going on late. But I bet they will be very happy, just having all the best wishes of all the guests.

One of my best friends got married last summer, and it was the most fun I have ever had at a wedding! They got married at his parents farm, in a lovely little gazebo by a pond, with guests on chairs around it. Her brother played guitar, we had a song sheet for the two songs they had, and then they planted a cherry tree, symbolizing their growing love. There was a bbq and a sit down dinner under a marquis, then a bonfire in the evening. Lots of drinks, grwat friends, very relazed atmosphere. It was lovely, and quite econmical.

sorry for the spelling, very distracted

My sister got married in a registry office and then had a party in the evening. It wasn't cheap because my parents took over the organising totally (me and my two sisters all agreed after our weddings that eloping was a thought that crossed all our minds!). My sister had a fantastic bright orange dress for the evening - I think wearing something you really really like and might otherwise never buy is very important, but if you aren't having a traditional do then you should take advantage of the freedom from convention to do what you and your dp want and what you know would make a memorable time for your friends.

If I was getting married again now I'd just have all the people I love around to my house or somewhere big enough to fit them, good food, plenty of booze and a live band if possible. Outside in the summer would be my choice - preferably somewhere beautiful.

We had our reception at home (30 people) - we definitely didn't live in a house that anyone would have though posh enough to do so but it didn't matter. We got a great deal on a buffet from some friends who ran a restaurant and the two lovely guys who came with the food stuck around to serve and pour drinks which was a very nice bonus, but basically the important thing was that we were surrounded by the people we cared about most.

My "what was I glad I spent money on" was, funnily enough, a photographer. I didn't want the expense but am glad 20 years later that I did. If you really can't/don't want to I would suggest getting one or two people to take responsibility for taking some decent photos. You might think that group shots are naff but they are lovely to look back on.