Aibu to do this after today?

[cowatthegate]

Went to a wedding fair today with DP, was shocked by the obscene prices that venues and additional extras were charging for the privilege of giving everyone a big party at our expense.
Aibu to just book a lovely intimate registry office wedding for 10 of our nearest and dearest at Chelsea Registry Office and then have a lovely dinner afterwards at a nearby restaurant , booking everyone into a hotel close by for the night?
Will have my 2 DS with me (2.3 and 7 weeks currently!).

I got married in August just 5 guests after we got married we went to the pier and a fairground all dressed in our wedding gear, riding the rollercoasters and dodgems etc, after we had a lovely meal in the hotel we stayed in, and around 10.30pm we gate crashed a wedding that was being held in the hotel. My husband even danced with the bride!! and we spent about £1000

Blakes Hotel would be an obvious boutique option, but there are scores of wonderful hotels you could choose from OP..... I can think of about a dozen that would fit the bill, but not sure on prices etc

Sounds lovely! And if I ever got married, just what I would want.

Good point middle

You could book a country house away some where, taking your guests away for the weekend and arranging a wedding within the house. I reckon that would be within your budget.

Smidge001 I’m ready for Countdown

This also works for the frequency of sex people have. It’s far more reassuring.

Yanbu. I also think you don't need to pay for everyones hotel rooms. They may want to get the train home.

@Ladivia did you crash someone's wedding in your wedding dress???

Madmags Yes I did but I wasn't wearing white or a traditional wedding dress, it was more of a ball gown

We went to Vegas. Just us. Our familys gave us some money towards it and said that as long as we were happy, that was all that mattered. We had a party when we came back.

If I had to do it again, I'd do exactly the same thing.

I can't imagine what I'd think if I turned around and some stranger in a ballgown was dancing at my wedding!

My friend did exactly that at Chelsea too... afternoon tea at the Bluebird afterwards...although she was carrying a little one at the time so no big drinking...the tea worked best for them

Madmags It was 10.30pm and I assume everyone was drunk and didn't notice

I think it's a wonderful idea, and I will do similar next time lol (married nearly 28 years and counting... ;) )

You could book a country house away some where, taking your guests away for the weekend and arranging a wedding within the house. I reckon that would be within your budget.

I agree, that's what I'd do.

Do it! I'm a wedding photographer and the best two weddings I have been to were exactly as you describe. The wedding is about you two...wanting to be together forever and making that commitment in front of people you love....feck all to do with weeks of stress of organisation and huge expense. (Also, everyone thinks their wedding is unique, but trust me, they are all more or less the same...every year the same trends at every wedding...its formulaic and just a huge money making racket!!)

Book the meal and hotel as a 'family celebration' - and get the quote in writing - my friend did this and it was substantially cheaper, as the place they went was popular with weddings but charged more for 'wedding breakfasts' even though the menus were very very similar.

@Ariela I’m just going to book a private dining room at Bluebird which just has 2 set menus at different prices so that shouldn’t get inflated too much if I mention weddings

I had a small wedding of 28. It was a lovely day. DH didn't invite his aunties I didn't know he had any till after the wedding when they sent a present. We had to change the date several times and then my DF couldn't come but otherwise I would have the same intimate do. It was a church then small hotel.

Alternative would be to come up north where it is cheaper.

I love the Bluebird. I love the food, the service, the decor and best of all Wimbledon on the big screen. Used to be on my birthday until they decided to move Wimbledon this year. So rude.

That's what I did. Immediate family and one friend each at our wedding - 17 guests. Neither of us like being the centre of attention, so our day was perfect for us (although not everyone's cup of tea)
We had a meal after with the wedding guests, then invited extended family, friends etc afterwards to celebrate and have a drink with us at a local pub.
Loved our day and wouldn't have changed a thing.
Oh, and cost under £3000, which was great 👌

Just round the corner from the Bluebird is Medlar where the food is fantastic - one of my favourite restaurants in London.

The crab ravioli is to die for lovely.

They have a private room. They do a set menu of £30ish a head. You wouldn't have to mention it's a wedding. I doubt they would change the price for a wedding anyway.

my sister booked a hall did all the food herself not sure how many people must have been min 50 didn't have anything after but could have done my friend did the same , but had a do as well in the evening

I don't know how much you want to spend but my friend and I said if we ever got married again we would go to Dalhousie Castle just outside Edinburgh. I went for my birthday last year and it was amazing. The chapel is absolutely beautiful. The rooms are all themed and the meal was in the Dungeon restaurant. The food and service was excellent. We have a lovely time with family and friends. There is also a room for wedding breakfast with three amazing chandeliers in it overlooking the garden. It was being dressed for a wedding and we had a peek. The castle is intimate enough for what you would like. Just an idea.