Getting married?!?!?

Question

Okay. So it looks like my boyfriend (guess you can call fiance' now) are going to be getting married within the next month and half or so. We're going to have a small wedding, with just parents, brothers and sisters and our three small children present. I have a few questions as to how to do everything.

-What should I wear? (His uncle is a pastor and will perform the ceremony)

-Do I have to tell family that won't be invited about the wedding?

-Do I have to invite my father? Don't really have a close relationship with him and don't feel comfortable around him like I should?

-Should I send out announcements after the wedding?

-Should I put together thank you favors for those that are there?

-Nice dinner and small cake at restaurant after?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi and congratulations!

~ I would definitely wear a wedding dress!!  It doesn't need to be a big poofy cinderella one (unless that is the look that you like).  Look on David's Bridal at their informal gowns.  Here are a few:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns...

OR, of course, you could wear any other dress too!  If it was me, though, I would opt for one of the ones pictured above from David's Bridal.  They are so pretty!

~ For your groom:  Have him wear a suit OR dress pants, dress shirt and tie.

~ You can invite whomever you want.  You do not have to invite your father if you don't want to.  But, if you think his feelings will be hurt, you may want to reconsider.  It's totally up to you.  

~ You can send announcements after the wedding if you want.  Use Google and look up "wedding announcement wording."  This is only an announcement, however.  Some people may send you a congratulations card or even a gift.  But not everyone.  

~ Favors are totally optional.  If you are on a budget, skip them.

~ YES!  I would definitely go out to dinner after AND have a cake!  If it was me, I would make it really nice.  Remember that if you are doing the inviting, you must also be the ones to pay for everyone's meal.  

~ Whatever restaurant you decide on....see if they have a small private room that you can use.  Then, meet with the manager to see what kind of meal you can arrange.  A nice idea, that I have given others, is to go in prior and make some arrangement (for the private room).  Then, look over the menu.  Possibly choose 4 or 5 choices, and make up your "own" menu with these choices WITHOUT the prices (of course).  Type them up on some cardstock and attach a pretty ribbon on the top like this:

http://www.wedding-favours.com/SL-01_Men...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/L...

http://www.allthingspaper.net/menu_pic_m...

NOTE:  These, of course, are all printed for a fancy sit down dinner.  Yours would have the different choices available, etc.  This is only any example to show you.

~ You can get some cardstock and ribbon at any craft store like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc. or even at dollar stores!   Print up the menus yourself and put one at everyone's place.

~ If you did want to do a "favor," an idea that would go along with a small dinner party, would be to get the photo frame placecard holders like these:

http://www.americanbridal.com/placecard-...

NOTE:  Take out the pre-printed card with the table number, etc. and insert another card with the person's name.  You can do this easily (again, using some cardstock paper) and a fancy font on your printer.  Decide where you want everyone to sit, and put out the placecards!

Then, your guests can take these frames home!  A very nice (and elegant) way to have a table set up for a small dinner party.

~ I would also opt to have a nice table centerpiece on each table.  This again, can be done inexpensively with a bowl with floating candles on a mirror or a small vase with some roses and a few candles next to it.

That's my two-cents!  I hope you have a beautiful day!  

Answer 2

Its Your wedding do what you want.

Answer 3

As for what you should wear...i suggest a dress. One that isn't gaudy. Don't wear a wedding pant suit like Hilary Clinton probably did.

Telling the ones who are not invited is truely a hard thing, but if you explain how it can save money and reassure them you love them I think they might understand.

You should let your father know at least. Let him decide wheter he wants to see his little girl get married.

Yes!!! Send out announcements

If you want favors...do favors

Yes dinner and cake

Answer 4

You should do what you want for your wedding!  Congrats!!

Invite those you want to be there, people that you love and want to share the moment with, and not those that will cause you stress.  If you want to do a restaurant/cake thing it is totally acceptable, especially if you're not having a big wedding. You can of course do favours/flowers/decor if that's what you want.  You can go as traditional as you want, even if you aren't doing a typical reception (but a restaurant dinner out is pretty close).  Just make sure you set a budget and stick to it.

My sister had just 13 of or family members at her wedding and we went out to a nice restaurant afterwards.  It was much more their style than a typical wedding. But they still had bridal bouquets and my younger sister and I wore matching dresses as "bridesmaids", but other than that it wasn't a typical wedding.

People will totally understand not being invited to your wedding if you want to keep it small.  People understand that budgets and space are limited (especially with children involved) so don't worry about "offending" anyone.  But it would be very polite of you to send wedding announcements after you celebrate.

Good Luck and Congrats!!