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...

WaitMonkey

< hands around & for all waiting >

stickysausage Good to know. Their was a lot of conflicting opinions on the linked thread.

Just getting back to you on the arms, just try and keep them relaxed. If you spin then curve them toward your body so you can turn without hitting your partner :) They'll be fine I'm sure.

Thank you fibrecruncher

So an Afternoon tea, then a Ploughman's in the evening?

Tea: Sponges, scones, chocolate dipped strawberries, teacakes, fruit, lemonades, Dandelion & Burdock, cream soda, bubbly, tea & a few savouries?

Ploughman: Naice ham, cheese wedding cake, grapes, celery, chutneys, pickles, crusty breads?

I would love that food. As long as the bread was really fresh.

Yy to fresh bread, Was thinking re decorating the church. Would large white pull bows on every other pew look ok?

And perhaps old teacups in the back rooms with v. cheap little potted flowers in?

There are 2 rooms in the back. Not large enough for everyone to sit Only about 20/30 chairs), so should I have a kids room in the smaller room? Where they can go and get jugs of squash/ jam tarts/ finger sarnies/ cookies/ sausage rolls/ whatever? Or have them from the big room? They are open plan as such, so not shut off from each other. The patio outside is where most the room is anyway.

Also how to display it all? Don't want it looking like a cooperate buffet type table. Would one tea platter per family (per couple, if kids eating from small room) So a cake stand with a label of some sort for each couple/ family . Or just put a big spread out for everyone?

So an Afternoon tea, then a Ploughman's in the evening?

That sounds great (and no fiddling about with veggie vs meat options). If you buy a proper ham or two it should easily feed everyone and is probably cheaper than buying packs. Was thinking if you go to a decent butcher they might slice some of it for you (but your family may be eating ham pie/soup/sarnies from the leftovers for a while!). Save up small jars and decant your pickles and chutneys into them so each table has their own. You could even make them if you're feeling energetic.
For the tea party I'd do plates per table, so a couple of rounds of (e.g.) cucumber sandwiches and a selection of goodies. On cake stands if you've got them. It might be fun for the kids to have their own area and they could sit on picnic blankets to eat. A couple of packs of wet wipes might be useful!
yy to cheap and cheerful flowers in jam jars or cups.

Bows on the pews sounds fine. I wouldn't worry too much as
a) al your guests will be (colourfully) dressed up to the nines
b) they'll all be looking at you and OH anyway

Charlesroi We aren't having a sit down meal. The tea is at the church, & the evening meal I'm on sure on as we were going to have the chip van, however now a ploughmans, so possibly?

Love the idea of picnic blankets for the kids though.

So do you think I should put the ploughmans out on different tables? aS a sit down meal?

Perhaps keep it casual still, & have the sides( mini pickles, breads, celery etc) out on each table, a ham on each table? Maybe a chefs hat & carving knife for one person on the table to carve? (novelty or crap?)

Then have our cheese wedding cake that Horry linked (love these)
cut & served?

Could go on the picnic benches if nice weather? ( and if there is enough)

Perhaps keep it casual still, & have the sides( mini pickles, breads, celery etc) out on each table, a ham on each table?

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I think it would be less messy than a full buffet table.

I think you're right Charlesroi The ploughman on each table.

Is the chef hat/ knife a bad idea?

(name change - still Horry)

I think it's a fun plan but little extras like that add cost very quickly.

Again, look at cost. It may be cheaper to have bread , butter and chutneys on each table, but to put cheese and ham on a big one. Don't worry about people queuing, they are used to it.

And whichever way you do it, people will love it. They will be rooting for you.

Horry, hoping all is well with the Drelincourts...

(yes thanks, we have a very new one )

Congrats, lovely, lovely.

I assume not called Crosby, Caroline or Crosbette.

Yes, you're probably right. Its all getting very expensive very quickly.

hyperventilates

Horry How lovely.

Am over my worrying now.

Have a lovely selection of ideas on here, so am just going to go with one we can afford. Instead of clutching at anything. Eg Hotdog bikes with mascots. In my defense it was a bargain price

So please how well this is all coming together now.

What else do I need to sort?

So far have sorted the afternoon tea, photographer (guests) , venue, church, decorations, music (really hope cd will be ok?)

Think I need to organise transport, outfits for kids, favors(?) entertainment(?) and would really like a first night hotel/b&b.

Found this: 99pstoresltd.com/2013/06/who-wants-a-99p-wedding-just-say-i-do.html

This for the afternoon tea: www.poundland.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tableware/cake-serving-set-7-piece

Found these today for the church pews: homeshopping.24ace.co.uk/big-summer-sale/great-gifts/occasions/1/pack-of-50-wedding-pull-bows/7?wmpsorigin=search

oops. Try again homeshopping.24ace.co.uk/big-summer-sale/great-gifts/occasions/1/pack-of-50-wedding-pull-bows/7?wmpsorigin=search

Check the sizes and get the stuff now, there's usually a run on such things in the summer.

But I could lend you a cake slice or just use SN ordinary knife and unless it's very very gooey, use fingers and napkins.