How times have changed! (Edited)

nervousftb_3

I was a bridesmaid at my auntie's wedding, think it was very early nineties. I wore a hideous lilac, dropped-waist flapper style dress with a matching lilac feathered headband (worn horizontally across our foreheads in the twenties style, rather than over the over the top of our heads IYSWIM). I did however absolutely LOVE my shoes, which were white with little pink flowers sewed onto them - I remember feeling so grown up! My sister carried a plastic black cat, and I carried a black plastic chimney sweep. I remember thinking at the time that it was very strange but no-one ever explained it to me! My auntie also carried a plastic horseshoe and wore an ivory version of the feathered headband!

Emmylou_2

Luckyred wrote: »

When I got married the first time my parents paid for the wedding... thats how it was done in the dim and distant past. They compiled the guest list too although I had some input. The reason being was that it was theirs to do as they were giving their daughter away if you see what I mean.
We're paying, but OH's parents have said they'll help (but not an amount, so we're sticking to what we can afford ourselves). Guest list is entirely ours, but yes, we're inviting lots of family!

As for living together before the wedding.... perish the thought! My parents would have been horrified.
We'll have been living together for 18 months before the wedding.

The wedding breakfast was known as the reception where as nowadays I have noticed that some people refer to the evening "do" as the reception.
The breakfast (or in our case, supper, as we're not marrying until 5 o'clock) is the reception and the evening bit is the evening reception

We didnt have to go to the venue to decorate the tables etc, it was included. I had never heard of anyone doing this until I read it on here.
We're not decorating our venue at all - that was part of the charm

Wedding favours didnt exist as far as I know.
All the weddings I can remember as a kid had favours (I was a bridesmaid seven times between the ages of 22 months and 13 years), but they were just sugared almonds. We're doing mugs/glasses *with* sugared almonds.

Bridesmaids, ushers etc never had to contribute to their outfits.
Honestly couldn't say for when I was growing up. I'm only having one grown up bridesmaid who is paying for her dress *and* that of the flower girl (her niece). We're choosing dresses they can both wear again, unlike those awful flowery poofy 80s ones.

Buttonholes were provided for the wedding party plus close relatives including grandparents. Other guests would buy their own if the chose to have one. I have read posts on here where brides were angry about this.....ridiculous!
We're only doing buttonholes for the wedding party, but if the rest of the guests wear them (even if they're the awful 80s style carnation and tin foil combos) then that's cool.

As for asking for money... no way. You got what you were given and were grateful for anything.
I'm gonna be grateful for everything but will be doing a registry as there are some things that we've got two of and some things that we haven't got any of and some things that although we've got two of them, they're still the ones we left home with at 18 and so could do with replacing!

I never knew anyone who didnt wear a veil though I do thing they can look a bit old fashioned now.
Not wearing a veil. Just won't go with my dress.

I still have my horseshoes, rolling pins etc that were given to me as I came out of church. Do brides still get presented with these? I havent noticed any in any photos in the last few years.
I *so* want people to get me a horseshoe or a bell or a something little to hold. It may be a bit tacky but it's tradition.

Guests brought their own confetti and it was always those little coloured paper pieces. I must admit I like the idea thay I saw on here this morning of a flowergirl with a basket of dried roses for people to take a handful...lovely idea.
Not allowed confetti at the venue. But that's OK cos I remember it staining my (then) s-i-l's dress.

We didnt have make up done, you did your own though I did have my hair done at the salon. I never heard of a stylist going to someones home.
I am having both hair and makeup done and I'll be going to the salon. I'm getting my makeup done because I am PANTS at doing my own, particularly when I want it to look super-good. If I'm just "throwing some on" for no specific reason, it tends to look great. But I don't wear lots of makeup and so am a bit concerned/cautious about doing it.

No save the date cards. I still have never had one of these prior to an invite.
Did this but only so people we wanted there knew not to book holiday away!

No Vistaprint..... invitations cost a fortune but they were beautiful.
I'm making my own. Hopefully at a fraction of the cost!

But I'd also marry OH in a bin bag with just witnesses to sign the papers. I'm having a nice party because (a) I can and (b) I'm only planning on doing this once!