To be upset about my wedding venue?

[IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow]

Name changed
Basically have a tiny budget. We were going to cut our guest list but we don't want to. We love everyone on it.
Have been offered The British Legion as a venue for free. Best man works evenings there.
We have decided to take it so we can afford to give everyone a nice time. Its bloody ugly inside. Has lovely big field though/n pretty outside etc.
I know I chose this, and I am not wanting to save up for few years as I just want to marry dp and have all our friends and family there. And would be stupid to not accept such a generous offer.
Just venting I guess... and wondering what to do about the fading carpet, chipped paint, arcade machine...

Did you ever look into local chapels? A couple of hundred cheaper?

Hello,
Just wanted to say your wedding plans sound absolutely lovely! Have you considered renting the men's outfits? My DH rented his from Debenhams at minimal cost and it looked great. Lots of choice of colours, etc.
We just rented his and asked the best man and ushers to wear similar coloured suits, and we bought them their ties in the same colour as DH's.

My wedding dress was sold as a bridesmaid dress, but I had it made in Ivory. £120. Simple, but I thought it looked nice

My cousin bought simple 'normal' dresses from Debenhams for her bridesaids £25 each but looked smart when 4 girls were wearing the same

Haybales.. thats a clever idea. I will look into Debenhams- I didnt know hired suits.

I have looked into chapels.. I havn't found prices though

OK. So just to check. I need the following:

Outfits
Cars
Flowers
Decorations
Rings
Food
Reception Music
Ceremony Music
Photography
Order of service
Invites
Cake
Hotel Night
Welcome drinks

That a lot . Obviously the reception has been done. And the church. Just the rest to sort. Have an idea of the food, just have to play around with how much it all costs etc

We had Debenhams suits too, lots of choices of shapes and colours and patterns and kilts. Great service.

Order of service is optional, I'd say. Church will have lots of copies of CW2000 for the actual liturgy bit, and the hymns you choose can be on the board/OHP. Or DIY for the cost of a bit of toner and a ream of paper.

Oh, choose readings. At least one Biblical.

I think Debenhams may be out of budget, having had a look.

Good to know that the church will have service information. Will save us sorting it.

We had the men in plain black suits which they all had anyway (and you can pick them up for a song at Asda if your OH doesnt have one) with black ties (black and white was our theme) and white square pocket hankies. They looked fab.

direct.asda.com/george/mens-suits/formal-black-suit/SET884,default,pd.html Black suit for less than £30!

They are very cheap!

HAs anyone used ebay for mens suits before? Like this

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-DESIGNER-3-PIECE-CHARCOAL-SLIM-FIT-SUIT-IDEAL-FOR-WEDDINGS-ALL-OCCASIONS-/111177688836?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&var=&hash=item19e2b4e704

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-DESIGNER-3-PIECE-CHARCOAL-SLIM-FIT-SUIT-IDEAL-FOR-WEDDINGS-ALL-OCCASIONS-/111177688836?pt=UK_Men_s_Suits_Tailoring&var=&hash=item19e2b4e704

Cars, Fgs don't hire. Get some white ribbon and instruct your OHs ushers to do them. They will have a lovely time.

Wedding present list.

Seriously, if there is something that would make your day special and you can't afford it, ask your friends. Eg,

" we would love some flowers at the reception "

Much nicer than more stuff, which you prob have already.

anchientbuchanan We wouldn't hire.. Its too much. Do you think just to use our car?
I havn't even thought about wedding gift list tbh. I don't feel like I can have one. We are living together already, so have everything we need.No gift needed.
We are funding the wedding ourselves, perhaps rightly so however we did have an offer of help from a family member. They have now decided not to, hence our budget being so small. Also an offer of a possible venue (family farm) which has also not come around. So don't feel we can ask family on account of unreliability.
*Disclaimer. These family offered this help without being asked. I appreciated the offers very much. And understand that people are fully within their rights to change their minds. Just explaining how this situation has come about

Yes, abs right to use your car. And for the others that will transport your key people, just hand them a roll of white ribbon and some scissors.

Ah, I understand. Yup.

I know the feeling about wedding presents. But as soon as you send the invitations people will ask you. So worth thinking about what you do ask for.

People I know have asked for the following

A book list from hatchards
Charity gifts eg to the red cross and good gifts
Contributions to the honeymoon

So you don't need to be bound by convention. We ended up with three toasters. With floral patterns, not my taste.

You can prob find cheap ribbon on eBay but MNrs will be able to tell you where the best sources aka cheapest are.

For flowers for decoration and tables you could buy bedding plants or sow seeds like lobelia, begonia, surfinia (and maybe some herbs). Think hanging baskets and pots.
If you buy some early in the season you can take cuttings, grow them on and save a bit more. Plus you can take them home afterwards.

I know you feel you can't ask for presents but, as others have said, people may want to give one. I'd put a no-gifts-but-if-you-really-nsist-some-Amazon-vouchers-would-be-nice on the invite.
Design and print your own order of service and invites. Print them on a coloured sheet of A4.
Welcome drinks - look out for introductary offers from wine clubs (there are a few where there's no monthly commitment). Start buying a bottle or two of fizz a week and storing it away?
Hotel night - book as early as possible and don't mention weddings. How about a nice country pub/B&B and take your own special booze.
Cake - meh. It's just a fruit cake, some marzipan and a fancy icing job. You coud make your own, and a good dosing with some booze should cover most sins.

OK. Lots of white ribbon.

Will get looking on ebay. Will probably order it off there as decided to decorate the church pews by putting a white pull bow at the end of every other one.

Keep posting to soon
Instead of flowers.

YY most people will ask for a gift list and think you odd that you dont have one. You could create an Amazon wish list that you could send a link to, better to do that than end up with gifts you dont want. I got given a massive ceramic bread crock by a well meaning aunt, which I had to take back as it wouldnt fit into the kitchen!

Charlesroi Crossed posts- I'm slow at typing. Just noticed your post.
I will speak to dp about the flowers, he is a gardener so thats perfect.

Think we are going to have a chocolate cake. DP can't stand the fruit cakes.

Bogeyface What doI put on a gift list?

I know someone who had a hen party decoration making evening. They all drank lots of wine and made pompoms etc

me too

HOW WEIRD

was she a red head?