Wedding Help!

[CanThisWait]

Got myself in a panic reading all these 'worst weddings' threads. I'm getting married very very soon and have only had 2 months to plan it. If I give a run down of the day, can you tell me if you would be happy to have attended?? Or is there things I can change?!

Invites had no request for gifts or money, just simply invited to the wedding and a party afterwards.
2pm:
Wedding in local church that has a little play area (think toy kitchen and a few toys) down the side. Childminder will be stationed there so any kids can play whilst the ceremony is happening.
The church is used for a playgroup during the week and is very family friendly. The vicar doesn't mind any noise etc

After the ceremony there will be Tea, coffee, water, juice and danishes served down the other side of the church. (There's little tables and chairs for people to sit, very relaxed setting!)
This will be happening whilst the photographs are being taken. Photographer has a list of people's names and what photos are required so is just going to call people outside as they're needed. Photos should last about 45 minutes.

Party from 4:30pm:
Then onto the party. It's in a social club, glass of bubbly/water/wine/orange juice on arrival and straight in for the buffet! It's serve yourself, all the usual cold buffet stuff as well as three hot options. There's a dessert station and a candy bar.
The music played through this bit is just a quiet playlist of our own choosing. Our DS has SEN and can't bare loud music, so we're not having a DJ just sorting it ourselves so we can control the volume. Plus, we'd like people to be able to chat whilst they're eating!

After the food there will be a few very short speeches, then music and some little games for the kids there (there will be a few!) there's a bar as well.

Then an hour or so before the venue shuts we're having a load of pizza delivered for people to eat/take home with them.

Wedding favours are little 'Thank your for attending' cards, with an Autism charity badge pinned to it. (DS1 is autistic)

There's about 80-100 guests, the buffet is for 100 so I'm not too worried about not having enough food! Just worried it's too informal having a buffet?

Is there anything you'd change about this?!

Just a thought. You've not asked for presents or money but a lot of people might want to give something. If you don't want anything for yourselves and don't want to end up with a load of photo frames (!) what about inviting donations to the autism charity you mention? They may be able to give you GiftAid envelopes. You can let people know about in a non pushy way, I am sure, given the caring way you've approached everything else

Your wedding sounds wonderful! Our wedding two years ago was your typical 'formal church wedding followed by sit down meal' but we generally tried to make the atmosphere as relaxed as possible and it worked wonders good luck for your big day!

It all sounds lovely! I'd much prefer a buffet to a sit down meal. Love the idea of the pastries too, we were at a wedding in Wales last year and while photos were being taken there was, what seemed like, an unlimited supply of hot Welsh cakes brought round. First time I've been fed while photos are done and as the wedding was late morning it meant that no one was getting hungry as we'd all missed lunch obviously and the meal wasn't due to be served until 4pm (and I'm partial to a Welsh cake).

Congratulations, have a wonderful day!

It sounds wonderful. You seem to have planned a day that is a real reflection of yourselves rather than the absolutely not unique day that seems to be the norm these days. I'd love to attend your very personal day and I'm sure your guests will love it too.

It sounds lovely!
Just quickly glance to make sure their is something for Vegetarians and Gluten intolerant to eat (something not wheat/bread/pastry encased).

It all sounds lovely.

I could have started this post myself OP!

I went to a wedding a few weeks ago where there wasn't nearly enough food served and I was starving.

Your wedding sounds absolutely perfect in my opinion!

Sounds perfect!

Sounds great to me. I'm assuming my invitation is still in the post?

Sounds like the makings of a fantastic wedding.
Enjoy your day and congratulations.

Ps.....cheese with the wedding cake? i love a wedge of cheese with fruit cake, it's a Yorkshire thing I beleive

Sounds good but I do hope the kids don't disturb your vows too much. Will the toys being there not encourage them to make even more noise?

Sounds perfect! (Especially the late pizza!)

Perfect, OP. Only thing is that some people will bring presents (and the labels will slip off) - do you have someone you can delegate to record and store them?

And you may need to cater for all the MNers who plan to tip up!!

Sounds lovely. Need to see your dress, please.

I think I would mention at the end of the speeches that the party will be 'getting going' about 9, otherwise people may think that's it and not hang around long after the food

Id love a wedding with little noise as l could get to chat to everyone instead of shouting and going home disappointed at failing to catch up. Enjoy your day. Its sounds perfect. But take wedding gifts as people want to be nice on your special day.

It sounds like the most 'MN-approved' wedding ever!

But lets be honest, if you're having anything more than a church/registry service and a buffet you'll be accused of wasting money and being lavish

Your wedding does sound lovely!

I would hate to post my wedding details....it's basically a bullet point list of everything MN hates about weddings haha

Have an amazing day OP!

RhubardGin that's a challenge isn't it?
So you are inviting 100+ for a week in the back end of nowhere, and it involves a long flight. Child free, not even babes in arms, and not even allowed in same village. Wedding starts at 12, drinks after but no food until 7 pm (and no local shops or restaurants). Of course there is a rehearsal dinner the day before at guests expense, and a brunch the day after. You will be having photos on all 3 occasions which have to be done before anyone eats. All the bridal party give speeches. And you've sent an invite with a poem asking for money.
Anything I missed?

mummytime

And on top of ALL that.....it's on a Wednesday, so guests must take at least 2-3 days off work!

it's not really on a Wednesday but it is child free with 100 guests

Child free and a hundred guests isn't really trying unless it either causes physical pain to breast feeding women or also excludes the bride and grooms children.

Sounds perfect! I would love this as a guest or bride. Maybe a few disposable cameras for the tables (they sell these in wedding packs online) as although I only got a few decent photos from them the kids absolutely loved going round taking photos with them.

Thank you all! I'm hoping it goes off okay, not long to go now 🙈

And yes, there is gluten free options and veggie/vegan options too. Managed to get that covered haha
And the cake is going to be just for decoration really, not doing the 'cutting of the cake' there'll be plenty of desserts and a decent homemade Victoria sponge and coffee cake available, enough sweet stuff without wedding cake as well haha

(Anyone see the comment that got deleted my MN HQ?! I obviously missed it!)

@itsbetterthanabox well we go to mass most weeks, mainly for the community aspect, and there's about 12 or so kids playing down the side of the church and it's never once disturbed the service. Hoping for the same luck on our day!

Sounds lovely, really. Have a fantastic time x