Weddingbee boards

So. This whole wedding thing has turned into more than what I bargained for. 

FI and I wanted a small, cheap wedding. We didn't want to put on a big show for a lot of people. We wanted immediate family and close friends only.  We wanted a small venue, with a minister, (not a JP or Judge, because that was important to FI).  FI wanted the man who performed his grandfather's funeral to do the wedding, because he liked the way he handled the whole thing. 

So FMIL starts going to church where the minister is the minister.  (she formerly went to church here anyway.) She then started expecting FI and come to church as well, which isn't really our thing. Don't get me wrong. We're good people, and we're believers, but both of us are kind of anti-social, and believe that going to church doesn't make one a Christian more than sitting in a garage makes one a car. Plus, someone EXPECTING us to go to church (or anywhere for that matter) is a slight turn-off.

Then there is also the factor of the fact that I have cut ties from my family (they are toxic).

I am also very concerned that my friends will not show, will not be as supportive/happy as I would like them to be, and I will be hurt and disappointed by this. (wedding sensitivity! - guilty) This is the main issue for me.  The wedding would consist mostly of FI's family and friends anyway.  We had already planned on no BM's, no GM, etc.  Neither of us were keen on putting on a big show for everyone else. No invitations have been sent thus far, nor Save the Dates. We've got the dress and tux, we've got a cake decorator (but no deposit was required, as she was a church member with FMIL), and the photographer was going to be one of the doctors that I work for - so we really aren't out any money. (or much, anyway). 

So. FI mentioned elopement earlier today. I immediately jumped online, and found this:  http://www.arkansas.com/hotdeals/details.asp?id=7138&cat=17

$395!! With minister, two nights in a king suite with jacuzzi/hot tub, breakfast, etc.  Can't really beat it! Here's the official website: 

http://www.eurekaspringshideaway.com/

I have placed a call to the people, and hope that the date we want to get married (11-11-11) is available. 

What say the bees??  :) 

Should we go for it, or stick it out with the wedding that we've been planning for months?! Oh, and we'd still be going on our honeymoon as planned.  :) 

**should have been posted in the Hive, but unsure how to fix this. :) 

If this is what you and FI want, then do it. This wedding is nobody's, except your own.

I happen to be getting married on the date you mentioned above and I was ready to throw in the towel months ago (we've been engaged for two years) & high tail it to Vegas. However, we are getting married in a church, mostly to please our families (they are very important to us).

I have let "trying to please everyone" and "putting on a show" take over, rather than what I really want. If I could do it all over again and plan a smaller, more intimate wedding, I would.

Go with your heart.

@heather5743:  So FI and I talked it over, and decided to go this route!! GOOD! its a huge relief to me, and I'm so glad that he went with it! 

We'll be staying at The Border House.... in a suite with a jacuzzi and access to an outdoor hot tub.  

http://www.theborderhouse.net/ -- The Garden Suite. 

Turns out, they were already so booked up because of the date!! :) We got very lucky!! 

NOW how are we doing to tell everyone we cancelled the wedding!!?!?

So far, we're very please with our decision. I am letting my friends who were planning to attend know one by one...FI is going to have to deal with telling the IL's! :) 

I would do it! I wanted to get married in Eureka Springs too!

We're totally doing it!! We paid half down on our suite (with the jacuzzi and access to outdoor hottub!). FI even told FMIL. She was a little disappointed, but also understands.  She just wants to be there, understandably, and I of course want her to be there.... I wouldn't have it any other way... it's just going to cost $50 per guest... which is steep! $100 for FMIL and FBIL to come!! Eeeek! FI and I sure are going to have a LOT of time in a car though.... 6 hours up to Eureke Springs, and then 12 hours back South to New Orleans to leave for our Caribbean Cruise. (We're getting married on a Friday, staying Friday & Saturday night at the Border House, and then leaving for New Orleans on Sunday....good thing for satellite radio and GPS!! :))