Please Help Us!

charmed1_2

We are looking to get married next year (2010) in Norfolk as we would have been together for 10 yrs then and with 3 beautiful daughters aged 5, 4 and 18mths and our 4th child on the way, we are looking to get hitched on the cheap!

I don't like the idea of a big white church wedding so that saves a lot of money already..

However I also don't like the idea of just a registary office ceremony either, just doesn't really feel 'special' to me...

So we've decided to have the 'official' bit done at the registary office with just very close family and then have our main ceremony or blessing done by a celebrant who will conduct our main 'wedding' in front of all of our family and friends. This along with the registra's fees for the legal bit comes to just under £300.

The problem we're having now is where to hold our wedding. Everywhere is soo expensive!!

What we would really like is a early morning legal bit followed by a casual lunch at a restaurant with just family and possibly one or two very close friends, (which they would pay for themselves if they would like to come) this would not really be officially part of the wedding...

then an afternoon main ceremony with everyone somewhere followed by a tea party or picnic style thing if that makes sense???

Unusual, cheap but effective is what we're hoping to achieve...

It would be lovely if the venue had its own bar so that guests can buy their own drinks, and if there were either a marquee or nice grounds at venue to possibly (weather permitting) have the ceremony outside..

We were thinking (as our children are young) that it would be nice to end the day by 6/7pm this also means that our guest (hopefully) won't need feeding again!! and then go on to our honeymoon which we are thinking a week or long weekend at centre parcs (with all our kids in tow with us!)

Does this sound do-able? Does it sound tacky or cheap? Any ideas on venue catering etc....

HELP PLEASE!!!! x

Horace

Why not have a civil ceremony at a venue such as a barn or hotel as it will be a bit more special than going to the registry office and then having a celebrant in the afternoon? This may cut down on costs too.

You need to decide on your guest list and your budget and work from there.

catherine_h_2

Don't worry this is do-able you just have to be very aware of what you want and not be easily persuaded by people trying to sell more than you want.

Is there a pretty but quite small town/village in Norfolk that has a village hall you could use and have an elegant tea party in the grounds, or a stately home/large hall that offers the same thing????
Not sure how much you want to spend and this is usually dependant on number of guests.

Have a look at message boards on www.hitched.co.uk and www.youandyourwedding.co.uk and see if anyone else is doing the same/similar. I found them invaluable when I was planning my wedding and also other b2bs will let you know of any special deals that are coming up.

Good luck and all the best x

MsChazzer

I'd echo the village hall thing, you will probably be able to get a mobile bar in for drinks. I know our caterers provide one which is free providing a certain amount of money is spent, I don't know if they offer this on its own or just with food catering, plus we're in Edinburgh so not much use to you! But there may be somewhere near you that offers the same service.

Have you looked into celebrant costs as they may well be a few hundred pounds. In Scotland a Humanist celebrant will charge £200 for a non-legal ceremony (they can also be legally recognised here for £50 more, just Scotland though) but I understand in England each celebrant sets their own rates. I don't know anything about other celebrants but given it's not a legal ceremony you could get a friend or relative to do it if they would be willing.

I'm sure someone else on the board had a picnic wedding reception.

cuthbert_the_octopus

Have you been to see the registry office, as you may be surprised how nice they actually are inside.

We went to declare our intention to marry and I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was inside. And they re-decorate every year as well.

We are getting married abroad, but having visited the reg. office if we were getting married here, we would have gone there, followed by a party for family and friends.

lch_2

Your idea sounds very similar to my friend's wedding. They married at Gorleston Registry Office, then went to Fritton Lake and had a lovely picnic with all the friends and family. Everyone brought their own picnic blankets and packed lunch. Fritton Lake has a big bouncy castle type play area which everyone of all ages enjoyed. It was the hottest day of the year, so it was glorious sunshine. Then in the evening they went for a quiet intimate family meal.

Your idea is achievable and i've only named the actual places as you said you are in Norfolk.

Good luck!

Charmed1

lch wrote: »

Your idea sounds very similar to my friend's wedding. They married at Gorleston Registry Office, then went to Fritton Lake and had a lovely picnic with all the friends and family. Everyone brought their own picnic blankets and packed lunch. Fritton Lake has a big bouncy castle type play area which everyone of all ages enjoyed. It was the hottest day of the year, so it was glorious sunshine. Then in the evening they went for a quiet intimate family meal.

Your idea is achievable and i've only named the actual places as you said you are in Norfolk.

Good luck!

Wow Ich, that's great! I have looked into Fritton Lake and am being sent some information from them.
Did your friends book with Fritton Lake or did everyone just go in separately?
How did it work out with everyone? I LOVE the idea of just having a lovely relaxed afternoon and doing something different, it's not just that it's cheaper but i'm not a 'traditional' person and I really wanted our wedding to stand out from the crowd and be remembered for all the right reasons!

Although we're on a tight budget, not yet set but it won't be a great deal.. I think that i'd feel a bit guilty if we didn't pay for the 'picnic' food if you know what I mean..

How were the invites worded?? Sorry sooo many questions! I just want as much info as possible before i go ahead and try and book things and potentially waste money!!

:T