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...

I am sending a few bits to the OP but am struggling to find a large sturdy box to post them in!

Anyone have any ideas where I could get one that I could use to send some delicate bits and bobs so they will be protected? I need something bigger than an archive box but smaller than a moving box!

What outfits do you need? What ages/sizes/genders?

anchientbuchanan Check the sizes? That's a fab offer. Just I was thinking lots of forks/slices for the afternoon tea cakes. Do you not think I need them then?

Outfits, I guess DD will fit into 12-18month clothes by then.
DS1 will be nearly 12yrs (2 weeks later)
DS2 will be 5yrs. He is smaller at the minute. He's 4 yrs and in 3-4yrs clothes.

Posted to soon again

DS1 is in charge of the rings. (Ring bearer?)
DS2 is page boy
DD will be flower girl

DS1 could be an usher? Or he could be second Best Man (so ring bearer but more grown up).

the ex husband was a drummer. sometimes he did (whatever the word is for) supply work. he'd go along and play drums where he was needed. i went with him. one night he had a gig at a pub by the tower blocks on oldham road manchester. if you know the area, you'll know how much trepidation we felt at going there. the event was a wedding.

it was great. the nicest, friendliest crowd of strangers (to me) that I've ever had to sit with. i remember them fondly 35 years later. the wedding celebration was warm, fun, relaxed, happy and no-one gave two hoots about the surroundings.

have a wonderful wedding with the people you care about around you.

Well that would be a lovely idea. DS1 is from a previous relationship & we met DP when he was 4yrs.

DP and him are like father and son, & I think it would be great if he could be best man too.

On the other hand, I was debating whether to have him 'give me away'. I wasn't going to have anyone, except the Reverend told me I had to.

Oh dont say things like that! It makes me teary!

I think him giving you away would be wonderful, especially as standing there ready to go down the aisle is very nerve wracking! It would be nice if you had each other.

Oh do that!!

rabbitlady I don't know the area. I get a feeling of what you mean though.

That's great to know. I have had a few people sniff at it, I'm at the point where I don't care any more though about what they think

Bogeyface Have some !

They are close. DS does still see his dad. He just wont remember him being at home because we split when he was a couple of weeks. So I think he likes having DP there for that. IYSWIM

I think he would like it, just both ideas sound great now. I've not mentioned anything to him about walking with me yet. DP has already told him 'he needs his help with the rings as they are most important for this.'

Sorry.

I really do need to rein it in dont I?! :o

He could do both.

He could walk you down the aisle (you dont have to have the "who gives this woman...." bit, it is optional) and then go and stand next to your DH2B and his best man.

Bogeyface Not at all! I offered wine because you are being fab!

Have some too.

He could walk you down the aisle (you dont have to have the "who gives this woman...." bit, it is optional) and then go and stand next to your DH2B and his best man.

I like this idea.

I read "Have some wine" as "Chill out love!" :o

Happy to help.

Still looking for a box if anyone is reading!

No, didn't mean it like that!

Love this thread! Everyone on here is helping so much!
When I started it I was so meh about it all. Was quite fed up about the whole thing as my family were not v. positive about any of it.

Don't care anymore, as Mumsnet have been brilliant! The wedding is going to be the best ever day Even if it is on a shoestring.

Hands out to everyone.

this is the gorgeousist thread ever (that word is allowed in the circs)

It's going to be fabulous !

I went to a wedding with a chip van and ceilidh made up spelling and we had the most amazing time. Would a ceilidh be too expensive? More importantly, do you have the room for people crashing about?

Just one thing about the chip van (which you are definitely going to keep because it's too fab not to): have a rota of sorts for queuing, otherwise everyone's queuing in a great long queue and getting fed up. A bit like going up for communion (if you know about that sort of thing), get an usher to 'release' a table at a time.

I have an awful lot to say about not much. Sorry about that.

(btw the venue is much better than I was expecting . It sounds like they've smartened it up for the B&G - aw )

Springy makes a good point about the queue, and my uncle had a Ceilidh wedding and it was the most fun, but the bands are expensive. A better option might be to put "Irish Rover" on repeat and let them make it up!

Bogey - have you tried the post office? Or self storage places often sell boxes.

Poundland had postage bags when I was there the other week so may have boxes as well.

OP - I'll get looking for clothes for them!

I've been to some wedding receptions in some pretty ropey places. However, with everyone in their nice clothes and a lovely atmosphere and the buffet table nicely set and laden with food, I remember having a good time above everything else.

If you buy net/ tulle in bulk it works out VERY cheap example HERE
This a retail outlet, it's even cheaper from a wholesaler

Gather it up in lengths from the centre of the ceiling or from a chandelier - pin it out to the sides of the wall & staple it to the wall, so that it drapes like a Bedouin tent - add more going down the walls to the floor - few balloons & steamers, maybe even borrow fairy lights to put behind the fabric & it will hide everything & look like a wedding venue to be proud of

Have PMed you :)

Agree with the queuing idea.

Was wondering, seeing as this is turning into a classic british day with the Legion, fish and chips, afternoon tea etc. Would it be a bad idea to blend something from The British Legion Shop into it?

Like this Or these

They could work if you have a red colour theme....
Or if you have wild flowers as your flower choices.

Ok. Maybe not such a good idea then? Just getting carried away