I think I'm just going to elope! wedding stress is getting to me! help out?

Question

Fiance and I are both young. Only 21 and we just can't afford to have a traditional wedding. Granted, my family hasn't really helped. Sure they will make the food but that's it. I guess I'm a bit bitter because why should I throw a party for people who only really wanna come to eat? who didn't even help. My ceremony will be at the park. everyone has to be standing as their aren't any chairs Allowed. Then on to the photographer, which will cost us about 200 dollars. (student) Then I was thinking of having a small reception of like 20 people in my sisters house. Only problem with this is that they don't have many chairs... I'm just not sure if my sister is 100% ok with this... My sister will bring her IPOD and we were going to connect that to the radio. Cake will be enttemans. lol. I'm just afraid that everyone will think this wedding is cheap and dull. I just wanna be married,have good pictures and first dance. How can I make this more special and memorable? can u relate?

Answer 1

our wedding was small and I had 30 ppl there.  it was very simple.  mainly family was there so to answer your q about what quests did during pics, well they were involved in the pics so they kinda just stood around. :)  we just had a short ceremony and then a quick lunch downstairs.  we had soup and sandwiches and my cousin in a pastry chef and she made cupcakes with our initials on them which were great.  as for chairs at your sisters, if its nice out can you do something in her backyard?  you could probably rent folding chairs and tables from somewhere local or even a church.  I really dont know what to tell u but as long as your happy with it that is all that matters.

Answer 2

Have the invitations gone out yet?  If they haven't & you want to change it then go ahead.  I didn't regret my changes.  I canceled the whole thing & got married on the beach in Maui.  Just me, my husband & two friends.  It was spectacular & stress free.

You can get married on the beach if you live near one or just get married in the park by yourselves with a witness & the Minister.  You can take all the photos you want without stress over planning & then later on when you're ready you throw a small party.  

If you want to go ahead with the planning then your guests will have to deal with standing at the park which is not that big of a deal unless there are elderly people invited & rent a few extra chairs for your sister's place.  There around $1.95 each & someone in the wedding party can pick them up or you can have them delivered.

Pictures can be taken after the ceremony at the park while the guests are headed to the reception.  Whoever is making the food should have some appetizers ready to serve while you're taking photos & then you can start dinner or buffet when you arrive.

For the first dance just make sure one of you has a cell to let someone at the reception know you're arriving & they can start your entry music & first dance song on the IPOD.  After that just eat, play music & party.

Don't stress over it being dull or cheap.  Seriously.  You're talking to a bride that was literally freaking out over the perfect orchid, the perfect dinner, the perfect timing, the perfect place, the stupidly expensive cake, etc.  And look what I did.  Canceled it all.  I almost lost my mind for nothing & I would have been miserable trying to be perfect.  My wedding was beautiful & my cake had Hawaiian surfers on top LOL!  Don't worry if it's Enttenman's.

Here's a pic of us from our wedding 2 weeks ago:

http://www.pictage.com/client/eventPhoto...

Answer 3

Your wedding sounds wonderful. Your 20 people are your family and your most trusted friends, so you do not have to put up a show for them or try to impress them.. they love you and respect you. Anyone that would think that your wedding is dull and boring should not attend such a private, meaningful and intimate moment such a wedding.

Your weddingdoesn't seem either boring or dull to me, as a matter of fact, small, intimate weddings are the best kind. I have been to dozen of weddings big and small, big-budget and low-budget, and the most memorable, romantid ones have been the small ones. You will have time to relax and ejoy and talk to all of your guest worry free, so please, have fun and celebrate your love.

As far as the chairs, rent some or buy some folding chairs. I've been to an event (not a weddingm but this is a great idea)...they ask the guests to bring their own lawn chaid and it worked just fine.

Good luck

EDIT to ADD: About the pictures, in a wedding that I attended last year, the bride, groom and the wedding oarty took pictures before the ceremony, They rthis this because it was an outdoor wedding and didn't want to take the pics when the dress was already dirty etc. I was perfectly fine, besides, it allowed for the couple to enjoy the reception right after without making the guests wait.

Answer 4

Since the park does not allow chairs I would try to keep the ceremony short and sweet. You don't want to leave people standing out there too long - especially if it is a hot day.

As for the reception, I am sure that your sister could bring in more chairs. You could bring some from your place and your family can also lend some chairs. Maybe your sister could even ask some of her neighbors.

For the pictures - it's up to you whether or not you want to see each other before the ceremony. My husband and I didn't see each other, we wanted to keep that moment special.

But, what you can do is tell everyone to head to your sisters house for the reception. Have some appetizers ready for your guests while you guys take pictures. Then, once you get there you can serve dinner and do your first dance, etc.

There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. You don't have to make the weddinig special and memorable for everyone else - you two just need to make it special for each other. That is what the wedding is all about - to celebrate the marriage of two people.