I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!

[NotActuallyAMum]

DP got down on one knee outside Manchester United's football ground yesterday just before the match. We got a round of applause. It was so lovely

Congratulations NAAM!

Let me help. I have 2 DSS and a DD and we've been trying to get married for years (not too hard, I confess) but I've juggled with the DC and parent issues for years trying to think through a wedding in many countries.

OK. You will definitely have to take DD, and that's great, because you're all a new family, but why the parents? You seem to be putting your dad before you? If your parents want to be involved, then do a ceremony abroad and a blessing and buffet here.

You can get a wedding overseas very cheaply, with a kids club for DD - even if it is only for an hour a day (I'm assuming she's 3+) then you will have time with your DP on your honeymoon. Or, if she's not the sort to enjoy a kids club, find a hotel with a babysitting service, so you can have dinner together.

Ooooh. I love weddings, tell me more, so I can help.

Oooh, I've suddenly thought. If you take your parents along you have a babysitter. But then again, parents, on your honeymoon. I would be embarrassed.

Thanks arfishy

dsd is 13 so she's too old for kids clubs. And we need some privacy at night...... so that's partly why we thought about taking parents. And I've never married so it'd mean my parents wouldn't miss out

We really don't want to do any of it in our area. People I work with are suggesting we go abroad on our own then have a party for everyone else when we get back but we feel that's defeating the object of the 'no hassle' element. If we don't go abroad we will try to find somewhere in this country - preferably by the sea - where we can have a very small, private do

NAAM just a thought, but have you thought of Gretna Green? It's in this country but I am told that it is quite romantic and lovely scenery. Alternatively, if my DP had his way we'd get married at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas Lol, not sure about that one though always seems a bit tacky to me! But DP says if it's good enough for Britney Spears............. Lol

FANC someone at work suggested Gretna earlier. It's certainly not a bad idea and something we will consider. I always think of very young people though when I think of marrying in Gretna - not two people in their 30s, LOL

Don't want to go to Vegas, too far to travel and probably too expensive too. And I agree it's tacky

Naam, fantastic news! Congratulations!

How romantic, well done Naam s dp.

My brother is geting married abroad next month, but we are having a huge party when they get back!

Going to have to 'work' on my dp now!

Thank you Squirrel

Yes definitely work on your DP - your turn next

and pigs might fly.....

I am sooooooooo pleased for you Naam.

Congratulations!

Hmmmm. 13 years. Agree re kids clubs I've got 2 DSS so maybe a bit different. They're 15 and 20 now, so we're in the same age bracket.

We had some great times with them at La Manga in Spain. There are lots of things for teens to do there, and all price ranges.

At around the same age we got a villa (maybe a posh term for it) there with a room at the top with a private entrance for DSS1 and one of his friends. They loved it. Maybe not suitable now but if you're thinking 18 months ahead it might be ok for DSD. It's a very safe environment for teens - security gates etc, and plenty for adults too. There are all sorts there, very, very expensive villas to apartments that are quite reasonable.

BTW am in Australia (one of the many places I've attempted to plan a wedding with children between the ages of 3 & 20), so am off to bed now, but will catch up in the morning

Yipee, yipee .

I clicked on this thread at work then my boss walked in and I've been wondering all afternoon who it was. Congratulations NAAM . Might have to forego the diet tonight and raise a glass in your honour.

I hope us Nutty Stepmums are going to be bridesmaids . Or maybe we'll come and do a guard of honour for you in our big pants.

congrats NAAM

you deffo deserve this and am so pleased for you

Congratulations. We got married abroad in Tobago. Just the two of us and then had a church service wedding blessing a month later to which we invited family and friends. Having both been married before, everyone understood why we wanted to do it this way and I got to wear my wedding dress twice which was a plus point. We replicated the flowers, the cake and ds had a suit to match the one dh wore on the wedding day.

Thank you again everyone

It's wonderful to see all the good wishes on here, means so much to me

surfermum lol at the big pants parade

Spoke to my sister yesterday, she's under the impression that she'll be coming to the wedding - even if we get married abroad.....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Really don't know what to do now....

congratulations NAAM.

Have you resolved the kids thing in your mind now?

Thanks beety

Yes we sorted it in the end - DP did agree to have his vasectomy reversed but we then decided between us that we're not going to bother. Several reasons, but I am totally happy with it

We have his dd living with us now (that isn't one of the reasons) and everything's fine - hence my acceptance of his proposal

Am really glad for you. He sounds like a good good man!

Thank you - he certainly is, I'm very lucky