Seriously
it doesn't have to be like that, and I don't say that for your benefit (sadly - I wish I could), but on the off-chance that anyone else might be reading this.

We got married 10 years ago this summer. (Shit, I'm old.)

Book a venue for the reception? Hell, no. We hired a marquee and put it in someone's garden halfway across the village. He didn't charge us for the space - in fact, he was happy to stand part of the cost of the marquee - because we were having it on the Saturday, the hirers wouldn't pick it up until Monday, so he could have a do with his mates on Sunday.

Catering? Yeah, I guess so. But our families went out to the bakers and the butchers in the next town the day before, and bought a whole load of lovely ham and cheese and MIGHTY FINE PORK PIES. So that cut 50% off the cost of the catering, and everyone rather liked having finest pork pies for the "wedding breakfast" (wtf).

The band? A bunch of friends who would happily play for a load of beer. The carriage to the hotel? Nah, we just walked across the fields at the dead of night with a bunch of equally pissed-up friends. And so on.

It's a terrible cliché, but for us it really was the best day of our lives etc. etc. etc. The trick is to have the day that you *want* to have, rather than the day you think you're meant to have.

p.s. remember - PORK PIES
(Guy Debord cette mauvaise réputation..., Tue 18 May 2010, 0:19, 1 reply)

^This^
Got married two years ago. Ceremony in the local registry office with immediate family. No expensive dresses or suits, just smart, casual stuff. Buffet reception with all family and friends in local pub garden, with marquee in case of bad weather.

Best day of our lives, and relatives said they appreciated the informality of it all.
(lolwhites, Tue 18 May 2010, 11:07, closed)