December wedding...with a difference!

sazzyb

Ok, after 3 years of enagagement, we're finally getting ourselves into gear and looking to sort our wedding!! Still not booked despite thinking of December this year, I know it's a very very popular time for weddings but hoping to do it mid week in one of the weeks leading up to Christmas (Christmas week hopefully) but that might be too expensive/popular.

Anyway, just want to share ideas really and because I'm totally clueless get as much support from you lovely people as possible! Got to look into venues but thinking of country house local to us (Midlands) for ceremony....only looking to have very small ceremony (close family, not even friends as we can't choose between them!) to both cut down on costs and because they're the people who matter most to us and who we want there basically - so there'll be about 12 of us! Ceremony, sit down meal, evening to chill out, depending on cost, pay for them to stay over in country house and make a couple of relaxing days of it(!!!)

Then planning on having party at later date for everyone else as a wedding celebration. It prob sounds bit tight but it's what we want and, after spending time discussing all sorts of ideas, we've decided what we want is what matters. I'm prob gonna need loads of ideas along the way so will be subscribing to all of the other threads. Just got to start putting action plan together of what to do and when...must look into venues first I guess for availability and cost, only then will have idea of specific date.

Any help and advice REALLY appreciated!!

flea72

honestly, dont want to rain on your parade, but i would pick a better time to get married

my friend got married in december as she thought it would be a lovely way to start the christmas celebrations, she now hates the fact she cant ever have a nice quiet anniversary meal out, as restaurants are full of christmas parties. if she wants to go away to celebrate her anniversary, she obviously has to pay christmas rates, and then trying to get a relative to babysit in the run up to christmas, is harder than at other times of the year

also, she found alot of close friends/family had used up all their holiday allowance, as it was so late in most company's 'holiday year', so alot of people werent able to attend, more than an evening do

most venues hike up prices, when they hear the word wedding, but put that in with christmas, and i would think the prices would be even higher, so its gonna be pricey

F

sazzyb

Thanks for advice. Yeah if we have to change it we will. Bit difficult being a teacher as it has to fit around term dates and def don't want summer wedding! Being just the 12 of us, cost of ceremony and meal out is all its really gonna be until the party which will be quite a bit after and fully catered by us so hopefully not too expensive. We'll see how things work out when I start making enquiries and adjust dates accordingly - thankfully all close family members who'd need to be there will be free around that time too so attendance won't be an issue. The anniversary thing really doesn't bother us too much either - we spend a lot of time together around Christmas and am used to paying for non-term time prices!! Appreciate your advice.

madmumof2

Why not an October wedding? You half the half term then. I don't know how long you get but we get 2 weeks off in October here (Midlands also). Where abouts are you?

I'm in Oakham, Rutland, and there are a lot of stunning country houses around here with amazing views too.

fly_dragon_fly

another december bride yahee! i'm having a december wedding well the 18th of december to be exact we are having a total of 80 people 60 for a sit down meal and then 20 more for the evening buffet

it depends if you like the xmas buzz or if you want something quiet i loved the idea of the xmas tree the lights when driving through the town the christmas colours that make me smile and go warm inside

maybe you have a really nice country pub that has a function room that you could hire for the 12 of you we have a few around here but none my cup of tea

but make sure your wedding is wedding first christmas second

Great_Hairdresser

Without wanting to sound like a child my Birthday is in Dec (16th), and going out for a meal,cards,even gift wrap is always over shadowed by Christmas.

I would hate to think your wedding day would be the same (sorry we cant come we dont have any money because its Christmas) also Anniverserys overshadowed by Christmas.

Just my 2p worth, Hope it gives you another perspective.

kelda_shelton

Okay..

My Birthday is 17 December.

And I got married just over 3 weeks ago on 28 December.

..... and it was perfect! Snow, xmas decorations, it was awesome!

So don't let people put you off a christmas wedding if thats what you want... neither my birthday or my nieces on the day of the wedding or christmas rained on our parade!

What about between christmas and new year?

Everyone we had there loved it and they said how nice it was to have something between xmas and new year.

also, no xmas parties when its after xmas and it fits with your school holidays.

deejane

Hi, Congrats on your forth coming wedding.

We have also set a date, finally! We have been together for 14 years and engaged for 6, no rush for us.

We are also hoping to get married in december, on the 31, 2012, as we just want a really big party, plus its also to celebrate out 40th birthdays too.

I have been looking into hiring a youth hostel, and hopefully going to have a look at it in the easter hols, as its in scotland and we are in the midlands.

We would prefer to get married in scotland because I'm scottish, although I have been looking for other places around the midlands.

I found this place, and wasn't too sure if it might any use to you
http://www.somersalcottages.co.uk/index.asp

Good luck and enjoy!

sunshine_shell

deejane wrote: »

I found this place, and wasn't too sure if it might any use to you
http://www.somersalcottages.co.uk/index.asp

Good luck and enjoy!

That is sooooo lovely!! i haven't found anything like that in Nottingham??!!

Mme.Hibou

OP don't listen to the party poopers telling you not to have a Christmas wedding, we got married 1 month ago today! And it was the best day ever, snow, owls, food, wine ... Who cares if the restaurants are full of people on your anniversary - eat at home, we've got a small baby so restaurants aren't high on my priority list.

There are loads of venues in the vicinity of Notts, check out the council website for approved properties.

sazzyb

Thanks all....certainly alot to think about! I really do love the idea of Christmas wedding...the overshadowing really doesn't bother me at all! Hell, I've shared my birthday with my sister all these years (even though not twins) and being a pretty close family it really doesn't bother me. It'll come more down to cost than anything else. Will update when have made some enquiries.