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...

Sounds good if it works for you.

I think it's only RC and CofE priests who are allowed to perform marriages without a registrar. They'll just be there to make sure it's all done properly (and get the signatures)

Just be honest with your previous church - tell the vicar that getting Married in a church is important to you but as you are on a very tight budget you have found a chapel which is a fraction of the cost, and that you hope they understand.

Trust me, vicars are human too!

Have booked and paid for registrar. We had some problems to begin with as they said we had to have a connection to that particular chapel, and we dont, was soon cleared up though. Anyway, we had spoken to the pastor about attending some services there as we want to.

Also they had only 2 slots times left, being such a late booking. 12pm and 7pm. We knew 12pm was a no go because of the services at the church. I thought 7pm was a bit late, pastor was more than happy to do this though ( I rang up to explain ,thinking it would be cancelled)

However, we weren't sure because it is late. In the end though, we decired to go for it. We are only having parents, dc & siblings anyway so they would under stand.

I thought we could just mix things up a bit and have a picnic beforehand in the afternoon. There is a lovely big park with a lake nearby. Could go there and spend the afternoon with our immediate family, as above, then leave for the chapel. Not sure about logistics though. Huge gamble on the weather too .

Sounds fabulous.

If the weather isn't good enough for a picnic, you might at least be able to fit in a stroll & duck feeding session (assuming ducks are there). Would make for some great photos if you can get someone to take them for you (or just pass a camera around your family)

Just wanted to say another thank you to everyone who has posted on here. Your ideas have been great an I really appreciate it. To those of you who have been onf the whole thread throughout (you know who you are), a well deserved for you.

I started of on here slightly disapointed and now couldn't be happier. I realise I started of with around £1500 budget and that has had to be scaled back to under £1000 now. Also, bit of a blow re the church ceremony/ tea plus all being 1 day. However, have had to change a few things due to the scaled down budget,

I dont mind though as you lovely nest of vipers have been just wonderful. Whatever hurdle I've had, has had umpteen solutions. So again, huge thank you.

Shame you can't squeeze in a vipers' table on the day [joke]

Whatever happens, you're focusing on the right things (church, family, company, marriage) and not the fripperies (designer frock, bling). It'll be a great day marking the start of a great partnership

Ahh, a vipers table would be fab . Bit difficult to explain away though!

So glad how its all panning out. Am thinking of packing the tea that was planned on herenas the picnic ( on a smaller scale) I did really like the idea. Will possibly need a back up though, due to weather gamble I would be taking.

If it is bad weather, could you have a picnic on your lounge floor?

Picnic rugs, eating off paper plates, out of picnic bags etc like you would have in the park but just do it inside?

Its a good idea, however our place is probably a bit too far for everyone to drive afterwards.

iI meant yhat afterveveryone has eaten and had a drink, the chapel is a bit far to drive to from ours.

So had a looknin the area on maps to see whats around the chapel. Turns out its 4min walk from a lovely gastro pub that dp took me on our 1st date! I didnt realise as theycare in different villages, howwever minutes apart.

ooh that would be nice. "Feel free to join us at the pub" implies "buy your own".

You're only having very close family to the ceremony, aren't you? Do make sure you get photos, which can then be put up at the Legion. Max Spielman do poster sizes quickly.

Yes, we thought if we walk down there afterwards we could have drinks. Would be lovely.

Just immediate family, yes. Parents & siblings plus dc.

Im also having second thoughts about the picnic. Just thought that if it is nice weather, then dc would of been stuckout in the heat all af5ernoon, everyone will be sticky & hot. Maybe not such a good idea.

Perhaps drinks after would be plenty. Could have drinks and cake if the pub allow?

Yy to the photos, what a clever idea!

Getting some good ideas. Love the pub where you had your first date - what a lovely way to finish the day.

Spoke to the pub, they said they can put bar snacks/ sharing platters and reserve a section of the bar for us. So just need to wok out times and its all settled.

So ceremony at 7pm with family, then all to the pub for drinks, nibbles & cake.

Now we need to work out wording for invites. Need to send invites to everyone who is coming to the legion a week later too.

DEFINITELY test whatever food you go with. DH and I were so disappointed and upset with our reception meal.

No idea how much it'd cost, but could you put up a marquee in the lovely outside area you mentioned?

Sorry to hear that toffee. What did you have?

We are only having bar snacks afterbour ceremony, and I know the food there is great. With our reception, we are having a ploughman's type spread. Of course, I will make the sacrifice of being the cheese tester .

rightsaidfrederick crossed posts.

You mean at the legion? Its a good idea, and marquee are lovely. I'm sure our budget wouldnt run to that though.

Melon balls, squirty cream and tinned custard was NOT what we thought we had ordered.

I am so sorry, I haven't been on in ages and just seen you couldn't find the choral singers fb group! Here it is incase anyone else needs it www.facebook.com/groups/201001629937184/?fref=ts

Your new plans sound wonderful anyway!

We need a new thread! We've got to get to the wedding!

Annabegins hello Thank you for the link!

Annabegins hello Thank you for the link!