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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be upset about my wedding venue?

996 replies

IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 13/10/2013 16:16

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...

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Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 27/10/2013 19:09

Can't seem to get the photos across to computer Confused I keep trying. Its need even reading as the phone being connected. I've tried a few different connection leads. I will get them on here.

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Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 27/10/2013 19:45

Not. Its not reading.. Not need Hmm

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Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 18:11

And finally!! Photo's are up. Wine

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ScarerAndFuckItsAGhost · 28/10/2013 18:20

You need to make your profile public so we can see them Smile

Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 18:21

Blush Sorry. Off to do that..

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Charlesroi · 28/10/2013 18:22
Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 18:25

Now they are up. Wine for you all

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Charlesroi · 28/10/2013 18:35

That looks realy nice. Stick some flowers and tablecoths in , cover up the bandit - sorted

Bogeyface · 28/10/2013 18:42

Blimey, I was expecting far worse! I had images of a whitewashed room with plastic tables and chairs!

I agree that with some nice table cloths, table decorations etc it will be lovely!

TheFuckersonInquiry · 28/10/2013 18:54

That looks lovely! I have no doubt you can make it look perfect as near as damn it

..plus cheap drinks, Shock Shock I think your guests will be very happy.

ScarerAndFuckItsAGhost · 28/10/2013 18:55

That's not bad.

I agree that nice tablecloths and decorations will make it very different.

Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 19:06

So pleased at everyone's opinions. Smile Makes me feel miles better.

It is better now it's been freshened up. However, It was awful before.

This is great Wine

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Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 19:17

I've always been pleased with the outside though. Very pretty.

Just to work out what to do with the fruit machines & scratch card machine.

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LongTailedTit · 28/10/2013 19:33

The 'randomness' bench bit outside will be v popular with smokers, you could just a put a row of jam jars with tealights in down the centre of the table, and maybe hang a few up from the beam at front too. (Wire around the neck of each jar, with a long loop for hanging).
You can do the same for the benches out the back - we got everyone to save Bonne Maman jam jars for us then I spray painted a white scalloped shape around the top with the aid of a cut out yoghurt pot! Grin
Add ribbon to the jars if you want colour.

The main thing I'd say is that you need to limit parking at the entrance so no one's parked at the door.
Cordon off that area marked with the white line, use some bunting or something. There's always someone who parks their precious motor right by the entrance otherwise - in our case it was the bloody registrar!

I like the venue - nice parquet floor, decent furniture, and actually an attractive building! I had imagined it as some 60s thing at the side of a football field for some reason.
It's going to be gorgeous on the day lovey. :)

SlightlySquiffy · 28/10/2013 19:46

Old jars from pasta sauce/pesto/coffee etc make nice candle holders too! Ask your parents and close friends to save theirs to give to you. IKEA do 100 tea light candles for a couple of pounds Grin

Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 20:00

That's a fab idea.. Smokers corner. Tea lights & perhaps the Ivy that I've got too.

The car parks pretty big, however agree with you & will cordon that bit off.

It is a very attractive building outside yes. Its on its own road too.

Will just say that the carpet that was there before was shabby & red pub carpet type IYKWIM. I thought everyone would look at it & think it shabby (it was) However, I was just looking through the photo's again, & even though they have laid new carpet down in the main room, they havn't in the small room. I didn't even notice Blush So I know no one else will now.

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Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 20:08

I actually adore the place now. I did before I even went back there & saw they had redecorated. I could just picture it with all the ideas from here. Its think its going to be just lovely on the day, thanks to all you fab lot.

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ancientbuchanan · 28/10/2013 20:30

Really pleased for you.

Now for your outfit..we all want to join in...

And don't get the users etc to buy new suits, unless theirs was either used for football training or is uncle egberts egg covered special. Matching ties, now, or same design on diff colour ways...and a carnation or rose..

ancientbuchanan · 28/10/2013 20:30

Ushers, not users.. phone and bus.

Charlesroi · 28/10/2013 20:34

The machines will be less obvious when they are switched off. Coukd you put a sheet over the big one and pin some decorations or photos of your family to it? Put a plastic sheet and a tablecloth over the pool table and put your wedding cake on it.

Bogeyface · 28/10/2013 20:39

Tbh I would pretend the machines aren't there. They are so common that most people wont notice them, and throwing a sheet over them could actually draw attention to them.

Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 20:40

anchient Wine

Dresses.. where do I start? Have already had some suggestions linked up thread. Just dont know what would suit me.

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Bogeyface · 28/10/2013 20:40

The pool table in our local is the buffet table, they are the perfect size so YY to it making a good cake/card table (we opened our cards in a lull in the day and put them up around the cake so people could read them)

Bogeyface · 28/10/2013 20:43

Go to a mid range shop after calling ahead to make sure they have plenty of samples in your size.

Try on EVERYTHING that fits you. Seriously! I ended up with a dress that I wouldnt have looked twice at on the suggestion of the shop owner who said, just try the lot and see what suits. She was right! The one I had set my heart on was over £1000 so totally out of my price range but the one I ended up with was completely different and less than £200 on the bargain rail. Even if you dont have the budget for a bridal shop, it will still give you an idea of what you want.

Then, stake out ebay. There are thousands of gowns on there, but they dont sell well so you can get a real bargain.

Original poster
IfIDontKnowAndYouDontKnow · 28/10/2013 20:47

Bogeyface so make the pool table part of it? That's clever. YY to not covering up machines. They said if we wanted they would pull shutters down on them, but I think that will make them look worse.

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