Weddingbee boards

After lots of talking and debating we have decided to cancel our reservation at The Quarry golf club where we were going to be married and have a small lunch reception. While this was supposed to be the simple cheaper route we feel that it is still not what we want and that we would still be spending more money than we really wanted to, even if only for the 50 guest we would have invited. I just couldn’t deal with the stress of the details and picking out this and deciding on that it was just becoming more than about us and the fact that we are devoting our lives to one another.

To me that is what this is about and that is what I want the focus to be. I don’t want to be stressed out the day of our wedding worrying about this or that going right or anything of the sort. I want it to be a casual, relaxing special day for us. Neither of us want the “traditional” events that take place at most receptions. We both shudder at the thought of being put on the spot, don’t care much for dancing and don’t need the bouquet/garter toss, 1st dance, cake cutting etc. that most receptions have. Now please don’t think I am putting you down for having those things I think they are cute and special, but they are just not for us. I think that after a long time I am finally realizing that this day is about us and what we want, not the things that are unnecessary to us and things that we think we are being “pushed” to have.  People will be upset that they didn’t get invited (we both have large families but we are not all that close) and they will just have to understand that this is what we want. If anyone can’t believe we had the nerve to not have seats at our ceremony or can’t believe that we decided to have our wedding in this manner, it isn’t about them and they will just have to deal with it.

So the new plan is: We have a beautiful park very close to our house and we have a few different areas of that park that we like and think would work for what we need. The park is usually not too busy and should be possible to just pick a location that day and perform the ceremony all within close walking distance of the parking area. So a Officiant, my FH and I, our 2 children, our parents, my grandfather, FH brothers their wives and kids, and my 2 best friends will meet at that park in one of those areas and have a short 10-15min. ceremony. We will have gasp no chairs, no decorations, and no music. I am hoping to have our closest family and friends stand in a circle around us during the ceremony because I really can’t think of anything better than being surrounded by people who love and support us while we say our vows to one another.  After the ceremony we are thinking either a nice lunch/dinner at Olive Garden, Macaroni Grill or to make it even more casual and go eat at Fox in the Hound (for those that don’t know it’s a sports bar/ restaurant with pool tables, dart boards, etc.)

We will still be covering the tab at which ever place we decide to go, but still think it will be less expensive than our first option. I still plan on having a dress (casual, destination type), and spending the morning getting ready with my mom, and “step” daughter and FH will be getting ready with my son. If it should rain we will have umbrellas available and there is a nearby pavilion or two should we have to use it. We are still planning to have some pictures taken, but not thousands of $ worth and will probably do this before the ceremony in the park as well and then will have everyone else meet us there.

I am sure there are things I haven’t thought about and things I am forgetting so please has anyone done anything like this or been to anything similar? While I am so nervous I am excited and relieved that we actually making this what we want it to be!! Any advice or thoughts? (Sorry so long)

Thanks everyone, you are  making me feel more relaxed about this decision! And @MissTatas thank you for the advice, because I never thought you would have to rent part of the park if you wern't actually setting anything up, but I will look into it to make sure!