For us, it is not a gift grab and in fact I will most likely write ‘no gifts/money’ on the invites. I just want to celebrate with the people I love and those I don’t get to see that often.
We’ve decided on the venue which is a pub near us. Before anyone throws their arms up in disgust, let me say that the venue is really beautiful. We are low-key people. We don’t plan parties. In fact, in the 4 years I’ve lived at my house I have never held a party..because I don’t plan. So, we chose a venue that reflected us and where little fuss is needed. Pretty much we will book an area, choose the food, send out invites, put on a bar tab and sit back with a martini saying ‘my work here is done’. I don’t know about you but that is my ideal party planning. I don’t want to pick centrepieces for tables or colour themes or seating plans. That’s way too much effort and it simply doesn’t interest me.
We’ve decided that the engagement party will be in a couple of months and I am really excited already. The minimal fuss that has been involved has been great for me. My bestie is making the invites because she is just a gem and I’ve already got my outfit, so there isn’t much left to do except sit back and wait.
I'm ten weeks away from our wedding and the only advice I have is to have the wedding the way you and S want and try not to let anyone persuade you otherwise.
ReplyDeleteWe've decided on a registry ceremony, we didn't have an engagement party and have also insisted on no gifts as the majority of my family are travelling form interstate, which I already feel guilty about so we're giving them our apartment and we're staying elsewhere the night of the wedding. We can have max of 12 guests at the ceremony so that cuts out a lot of people, which has probably put a few noses out of joint but meh. I'm not even wearing a wedding dress! I was surprised by the reactions from people I told who thought I was weird for doing things this way. Each to their own I say!
I've also thought of doing a registry wedding to weed out all the people I don't want to invite. Steve's Mum had a surprise wedding on the weekend with just her kids and her Husbands son present (plus partners) and it was seriously SO beautiful. So very perfect, so low key.
DeletePersonally, I've never understood a big huge party for a wedding and with that thought, it turns me off planning one.
What a gorgeous venue! If I had something low key available to me as above I'd definitely think of choosing something so beautiful and comfortable for everyone. Unfortunately our location doesn't really have anywhere that is as lovely as your choice, and I absolutely cringe at the idea of having it at one of the local sports clubs, which are not anywhere near as gorgeous in ambiance and atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteLovely idea (and venue)! We didn't have an engagement party as the idea of planning an engagement party AND a wedding was too much for my little brain to cope with! We had a very small (destination) wedding, which I know isn't for everyone, but for us it was so nice bring able to spend time with our close family & friends over a few days which is something we don't normally get an opportunity to do.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot but since I only really had three decisions to make in planning the engagement, I didn't find it so daunting. Planning the wedding won't happen anytime soon so at least it's not all at the same time.
DeleteI would love a destination wedding but unfortunately my parents wouldn't come because they have never and probably will never leave the country. It's hard when you have to please other people too!
If that is a photo of the venue I think it looks awesome! Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! I think if you have good company, a good venue, good food and some drinks you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think if (when?) I get married I won't have an engagement party. Like another reader, I do not want to deal with planning an engagement party and a wedding. I think my wedding planning will be a lot like your engagement planning...pick a venue and good to go. Heaps of my friends are now engaged and planning weddings and listening to the planning of centre-pieces and invitations is driving me crazy. Different strokes and all that.
Yeah, I have a friend planning a wedding too and whilst I am happy for her and how she is doing it, it's not for me. Planning the nitty gritty details isn't for me.
DeleteRhi ! That is a beautiful idea :) and anyone that poo poo's a venue like that is an idiot ! hahaha but seriously :) we just had our engagement party & the amount of stress over the decorations & food & flower arrangement & tablecloths, honestly, is not worth it ! Doing exactly as you are celebrates what a happy thing an engagement is :) i am so happy for you that there is no stress involved !! When i told my mum that i wanted to have an engagement party she suggested a set up exactly like yours but i told her i wanted it in a hall & i would DIY everything...you know in hindsight she was 100% right, i bet your party will wonderful xx
ReplyDeleteThe least stress the better for me. I couldn't be bothered looking for caterers, table pieces etc. All in one place, everything already decorated is the best option for me haha
DeleteWe're not having an engagement party because:
ReplyDelete1) I can't be bothered organising
2) I don't have time to organise one
3) I'm not really fussed about having one
4) did I already say I can't be bothered?? Hha
Good on you for having the energy to organise one though!! I like the low-key pub idea :)
Kx.
Haha, I am only doing it because I had like three decisions to make. Place, who to invite and what to eat. So simple and the place is a favourite of ours so I didn't have to do any searching whatsoever. If I had to look for venues etc before deciding I wouldn't have bothered.
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