Post # 1

Member
358 posts
Helper bee
And I’m good with that. Now I’m trying to think creative thoughts to make this more about us rather than the family. We decided to bag the huge wedding because of family drama.
Here is what I’m thinking. Budget is $5,000-$7,000. Guest list is now 25 people.
Fiance and I will go out for a romantic dinner at the Melting Pot our wedding night. Wake up to a cute little B&B that I’ve picked out in a little historic town. Eat breakfast and walk the river. Part our ways to get dolled up lol. I plan to have hair and makeup done..maybe a pedi..possibly in the B&B. Have a ceremony right on the river near the Ludwig Mill.
Here is what I need help with.
Our reception will be either a lunch or dinner..suggestions?
Maybe go out with friends that we didn’t have at the wedding..Like maybe some kind of comedy club or bar hop? Like a hey come celebrate with us…Nothing formal just something spontaneous?
Stay another night at the B&B or at home then off to our honeymoon the next day.
Our hope is to put half our budget to the honeymoon and the other half to the wedding….Thoughts? What would you do different? Am I crazy??? Thanks!
P.S. we plan to pay for our 25 guest to eat. Also we havn’t found a photgrapher for under $1,200..
Post # 3

Member
2849 posts
Sugar bee
I think that sounds really nice. If you guys want to spend money on an expensive honeymoon, there’s nothing wrong with that. Plus, I think intimate weddings are a wonderful way to share your special day with those that are most important to you. I like your timeline. Either lunch or dinner would work depending on what time of day you get married.
Post # 4

Member
358 posts
Helper bee
@Bichon Frise: Thanks! I love to travel so a big wedding vs. a honeymoon doesn’t make sense. I was thinking that Lunch would allow for a friendlier budget. The places I have picked for dinner around here are like $40 per person…More than I want to go I think…..not sure…I don’t really know of any awesome lunch experiences around here though…
Post # 5

Bee
1433 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2012 - Historic Lougheed House
I think its a good idea to do half/half, but even then you won’t be able to get a more experienced photographer. If you could bump it to a 8 thousand budget, and do 4.5 for the wedding, 3.5 for the honeymoon, you’d be able to do a bit more.
But, if you want to stay at 5 grand, I would say you could lower the cost of the food. I’m having a format sit down 4 course meal, and its only 40 a person.
Lunch will be cheaper than dinner, one thing to keep in mind.
Post # 6

Member
358 posts
Helper bee
@eagle: Thank you. I feel like lunch would probably be better. It could be fun and unique. My family drinks a lot. His family doesn’t. A lunch might be better for the drinkers. They might wait until the evening bar hop which would be them buying their own drinks.
Can you elaborate on what you mean about the photographer?
Post # 7

Bee
1433 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2012 - Historic Lougheed House
@TequilaSunrise: What I mean is that if you want good photos, your going to have to pay for them. So if you want a “good” photographer, your probably going to have to pay 2K for that.
Also – I wouldn’t pay for peoples booze. Not on a budget.
Post # 8

Member
358 posts
Helper bee
Oh I see what you mean about the photos. Thanks for clearing that up. As for the booze…Instead of covering the whole bill maybe we pay for two drinks for each drinker and the rest is on them.
Post # 9

Bee
1433 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: August 2012 - Historic Lougheed House
@TequilaSunrise: Ya you could do that, provide two drink tickets per person.
Post # 10

Member
926 posts
Busy bee
I think this is an awesome idea! We’re having a 40 person wedding/reception and then either the night of, or the following week inviting everyone we know and hang out with to meet us for drinks somewhere fun.
I was apprehensive at first, but I’ve talked to the people that won’t be coming to the actual event and they’re stoked that we would even think of them for an after celebration.
I say do evening if you can though. I just like the idea of ending the day with your celebration rather than having the celebration end at, say, 2, and then doing…what? for the rest of the day, you know?
Post # 11

Member
1723 posts
Bumble bee
Okay, I love the idea! 🙂 Id say dinner but after reading your comment about why it might be better for a lunch idea- Id say score!
Best of luck!