Question:
I think a picnic wedding sounds great. We had our reception at a 700 acre ranch under a covered pavilion. It did rain some, so we were glad for the covering. We had the food catered by Sonny’s BBQ. We thought of having the wedding and reception at a local park. The one we liked in our area has an place with benches and a stage in a wooded area. I thought it was a great location for the ceremony. The thoughts of inclement weather won out though. Our state parks don’t allow alcohol either. We wanted to have champagne and beer and wine at our reception. The best thing about doing it at a park is the price. Our local park wanted only $50 for the pavilion for the day. I agree with what someone said about your dress. You would probably be more comfortable in a street length or short dress in an informal style. I had a Jessica McClintock dress. It was beautiful. It didn’t have a train, but at the reception I took off the wedding shoes and put the Converse on and the hem of my dress got just filthy. I think your ideas sound great. Good luck and I hope it all works out for the best. Susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? > Help > Jen
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>> – If you’re gonna dump him, do it before the invites go out. > – Keep paint away from groom and groomsmen, or better yet, don’t kneel. > – Provide lots of food all the way through. > – Provide beverages — especially soda and coffee — all the way through. > – Barbie accessories are really cool favors, but try to also include some >GI > Joe items (avoid a toy gun motif.) > – Provide adequate CAKE. > – If you’re throwing the party, BE THERE and celebrate with your guests. > Hm. Not too too difficult.
ROTFL! Lessee, I didn’t dump him, before or after the invites were mailed. Nobody had any paint, although actually I was a little disappointed that there was no opportunity for anyone to decorate our getaway car (we spent the night at the reception location, so we didn’t get away). No kneeling. We had water and iced tea available beginning about a half hour before the ceremony began, and we made a special point (we had to pay the caterer extra) of keeping the bread & cheese & fruit table up throughout the reception, instead of clearing away every speck of food after dinner (don’t *you* always want to munch after the meal at a party?) and there was plenty of cake, although I’m still not sure they served the "extra sheet cake" as there didn’t seem to be enough of the chocolate layers. There was no gap at all between our ceremony and reception and we never left our guests in order to be photographed. Alas, however, we had no Barbie-useful favors. Unless perhaps the bubble bottles could be used as Barbie footstools? Oh well, the young children in attendance didn’t seem to mind. :-) I’ve been mostly to middling weddings, and actually I can almost always remember at least one good and one bad thing about any wedding. There are some that tilt one way or the other, though, and I must admit the above list is as good a guideline as any. :-D Holly
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> All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get >married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. >What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea?
It’s a GREAT idea, and you have your head in exactly the right place. Too bad your family won’t get with the program. The only caveat is it will be harder for you, especially with such a limited budget. Have you or can you approach the groom’s family for financial contributions? (How’s the emotional support from that side?) Are there other potential sources of funds you could tap? Do you have friends who have experience with coordinating big parties? Handling a less conventional wedding party takes good planning, and especially if you are dealing with food, decorations and services provided by friends rather than professionals, you are in even greater need of someone other than yourself to organize everything on the wedding day, so that *you* can enjoy it as much as your guests. Best wishes! Holly (who had a ping pong table and a pinata at her reception)
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Lyons) writes: >Re: frisbees — we were actually planning to do those as favors — get ‘em >printed up with our names and wedding date or something and that way, people >have frisbees to play with and a favor that might get used sometime.
That sounds like a really cute and fun idea. Go for it. Kim (and Kevin) 7-3-99
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>I also got a good look at my about-to-be husband fully dressed for >the ceremony, so I know there was nothing on the soles of his shoes
Wende, I can just imagine you having nightmares about what the bottom of his shoes might say on the big day. Very funny story. Kim (and Kevin) 7-3-99
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Jenn…. do what I did.. take an Uzi to the bastards and mow them down like dominoes! It is really cool the way their eyes bug out in fear when they realize you are serious about killing them. I will never forget the look on my brother’s face when I got 3 rounds off into his chest! What a hoot! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea I >bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many >issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to >make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage >to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). >So. >I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. >This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe >$1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our >plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it >later, or if the guests will hate it. >I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled >pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then >have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and >veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — >talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get >married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. >What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? >Help >Jen
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> Id also suggest cold food as there probably wont be anywhere for electricity to > warm food.
Food can be kept warm without electricity by using cheap styrofoam coolers. The trick is to have the food hot and then put it into the cooler. I have used this method for BBQ, chicken, corn on the cob. I got the idea from my food service salesman and the area caterers. I have also kept a large chafing dish of Turkey Divan hot for hours by taking it from the oven hot and immediately wrapping it in multiple layers of newspaper and then placing it in a cardboard box with a towel on top. The insulating power of newspaper is unbelievable. — "The only thing more desireable than the praise of the virtuous is the enmity of the despicable." http://www.mindspring.com/~thinds/jmh/
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Jennifer, My sister did the same thing and I’m following in her footsteps. It turned out very nice for her and she *still* gets compliments on how fun her wedding was! One point — we also live in PA and at the state parks there is a no alcohol policy — here is the phone number for all state parks in Pennsylvania 1-888-PA-PARKS (pretty easy, huh!) Heather drew me into their tangled web by writing: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea I >bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many >issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to >make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage >to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). >So. >I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. >This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe >$1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our >plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it >later, or if the guests will hate it. >I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled >pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then >have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and >veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — >talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get >married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. >What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? >Help >Jen
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OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea I bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). So. I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe $1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it later, or if the guests will hate it. I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? Help Jen
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea I > bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many > issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to > make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage > to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). > So. > I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. > This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe > $1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our > plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it > later, or if the guests will hate it. > I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled > pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then > have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and > veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — > talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get > married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. > What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea?
I think it sounds fine. We’re considering an outdoor picnic wedding — Milwaukee County has some really nice parks, very reasonable! You might want to check out parks in your area, and find out if any reservations are necessary. Another point — You may possibly want to reconsider the dress. If you’re going to be outside, depending on how long/formal the dress is, you’re going to want to avoid grass stains, rain, etc., so you may want to go less formal. The upside is that you’ll also get to save money on the dress. Something to watch for — Pavillions or picnic porch areas in the event of rain. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan! Good luck and keep us updated on your decisions! — St Theresa of the Net/only one you at uwm/Goal: HS wardrobe/&Don in ‘99/all bases covered
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> I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled > pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then > have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and > veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — > talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get > married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. > What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea?
I love the concept and would enjoy this a lot as a guest. Now, make sure you have VERY clear plans on how you intend to keep hot food hot and cold food cold, so that guests don’t go home with food poisoning, plus how to keep ants and flies out of everything. It can be done, but you have to plan ahead, especially if you’re doing your own set-up too. Also, be sure to choose an invitation style that conveys "don’t wear your best silk dress and high heels" through its style. On your map card, mention that the event is picnic-style and whether guests should bring blankets to sit on, lawn chairs (do you intend to provide chairs???), and frisbees. Have fun! Wende
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Jen, It sounds wonderful and a lot of fun. I say go for it! karen — Karen Simmons, Photographer The DK Gallery http://www.thedkgallery.com
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I love the idea. It being in the park, automatically reduces your decoration and floral costs. From a guest standpoint, it sounds like fun. Although you might want to think about having a tent rented and available for guests in case of rain. Id also suggest cold food as there probably wont be anywhere for electricity to warm food. We are doing our own wedding including the decorating ect. As carefully as we have tried to keep costs down, and hunt bargins, and do most of the decorationg ourselves I estimate it will still run $1000 – $1500. You mentioned your dress is $500. Does that include the slip, veil shoes alterations ect.? My dress (not a traditional wedding dress, just a long white lace dress) was $138.00, alterations $40.00, headpiece $30, (making it myself) undergarments $75, shoes $30 (even at Payless! ) Therefore my $138. dress is costing about $250. Very cheap considering it is a wedding – but still double the actual dress price. . Remember that the only 2 people who have to be pleased are yourself and fiance. The 2 of you will remember the day forever, the guests probably wont. Good luck and best wishes. -Sunny 3/20/99 >OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I >bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many >issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to >make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage >to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). >So. >I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. >This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe >$1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our >plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it >later, or if the guests will hate it. >I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled >pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and >then >have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and >veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — >talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to >get >married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. >What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? >Help >Jen
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> Remember that the only 2 people who have to be pleased are yourself and fiance. > The 2 of you will remember the day forever, the guests > probably wont.
Oh, I remember in VIVID detail the worst wedding I ever attended — even though I was only 4 years old. The middling weddings fade together, but the very bad ones and the very good ones last forever. Oddly, none of the ones I remember as excellent had a formal dinner (those were the middling ones), but they all were generous in offering hospitality to the guests, and the bride and groom seemed happy and relaxed. Wende
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> Oh, I remember in VIVID detail the worst wedding I ever attended — even > though I was only 4 years old.
Oh boy!! Wende you MUST post the gory details. Please share! — St Theresa of the Net/only one you at uwm/Goal: HS wardrobe/&Don in ‘99/all bases covered
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Picnic weddings can be very beautiful and more relaxed. Be sure to wear flat shoes as high heels tend to sink into the grass and make walking very awkward.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > OK… I’ve had it about up to here —— with my family. Every single idea I > bring up has been vetoed. I expected to have to compromise on many, many > issues, but vows are not an area where I’m willing to give in. I refuse to > make any part of them a lie, and my parents want me to dedicate the marriage > to God, among other things (i.e. alcohol at reception, etc). > So. > I have pretty much decided that we will pay for this whole thing ourselves. > This means I’m looking at about $1000 for a budget over the next year, maybe > $1500. This includes the $500 dress that I got my heart set on. Here is our > plan, so far. I’m wondering if anyone thinks I’ll be disappointed by it > later, or if the guests will hate it. > I want to have an outdoor wedding, in a park (one with a sheltered, walled > pavilion in case of rain!). We’ll exchange vows in some scenic spot, and then > have a picnic reception, with stuff like fried chicken and potato salad and > veggies and the like. People can do what people usually do at picnics — > talk, play frisbee, swing, etc. All I really want at the wedding is 1) to get > married and 2) to have everyone have a good time. > What does anyone think of this? Is it an awful idea? > Help > Jen
A reminder: In Indiana, you cannot serve alcohol in state parks.You might want to verify with your state. The picnic wedding sounds great. Wishing you a beautiful sunny day. (Bring sunblock and remember to put it on at least 30 minutes before putting on THE dress!) Fran
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<snip> I’ll reply more to everyone in a bit but I’m at work right now 
working on a deadline (about an hour from now!!)… but had to add: : card, mention that the event is picnic-style and whether guests should : bring blankets to sit on, lawn chairs (do you intend to provide : chairs???), and frisbees. Re: frisbees — we were actually planning to do those as favors — get ‘em printed up with our names and wedding date or something and that way, people have frisbees to play with and a favor that might get used sometime. Jen
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> > Oh, I remember in VIVID detail the worst wedding I ever attended — even > though I was only 4 years old. > Oh boy!! Wende you MUST post the gory details. Please share!
This is going to come back to haunt me, I *know* it… but you’ve tempted me into the path of evil, St T! It was the only Catholic wedding I’ve ever attended other than my own. It was not, of course, the couple’s fault that her family’s parish church had been redone in the modern style, with green tile more appropriate for a public restroom. Nor was it their fault that ecumenism had not yet taken off, so there were not programs to guide the non-Catholics (which my family is and I was then) through the event — no one had programs in 1970, making longer wedding services a complete mystery to the uninitiated. Nor was it their fault that the officiant would not have placed in the top 10 in the seminary’s public speaking competition, if it had one. Nor can anyone really be blamed for early 1970s bridesmaid dresses. All of these are minor details, easily forgiven and forgotten in the glow of a Happy Couple’s joy. The following elements were, however, someone’s fault: –The bride got cold feet right before the wedding, had rather public hysterics, and had to be coaxed into going through with it. As a result, the ceremony started somewhat late, and in a distinctly non-joyous fashion, as the reason for the bride’s late arrival was not a secret. –The groom painted HE LP on the soles of his shoes (no, he didn’t wait for the ushers to do it as a prank) so that the message would show when he knelt. Given what had just taken place with the bride, this "joke" had an unpleasantly ironic tinge, even to a four-year-old’s mind. –There was a *long* gap (several hours) for photos between the ceremony and the reception. This is also before the era of giving OOT guests a clue as to what they might wish to do for non-wedding entertainment. The reception was also to be held at an ambiguous time when there *might* be real food, or there might not. So we wandered around an unfamiliar city trying to decide if we ought to have lunch. –At the reception, held at a very formal country-club-type location with everyone seated, the only food for the first three hours was small dishes of peanuts and mints on each table. One of my mother’s friends managed to find a plate of Chips Ahoy-type chocolate chip cookies, which we greedily kept to ourselves. There was a cash bar, and even a glass of pop required paying. There was no dancing or anything — we just sat around feeling hungry and bored for hours. (Had there been food, we might have been less bored — it’s hard to feel sociable when you’re tempted to suck the tablecloth for nutrients.) Once the not-so-happy couple finally cut the cake and doled out SMALL portions, people fled in search of solid food, and to gossip about the chances of success of the marriage. The not-so-happy couple has been divorced since about 1986. The only thing I remember positively was the favors, which were miniature pink plastic umbrellas filled with mints. The mints were, of course, eaten immediately to fend off starvation, and I used my umbrella as a Barbie accessory for years. Wende
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> This is going to come back to haunt me, I *know* it… but you’ve > tempted me into the path of evil, St T!
YES! I WIN! <heh!> > –The groom painted HE LP on the soles of his shoes (no, he didn’t wait > for the ushers to do it as a prank) so that the message would show when > he knelt. Given what had just taken place with the bride, this "joke" > had an unpleasantly ironic tinge, even to a four-year-old’s mind.
<snort.> > –At the reception, held at a very formal country-club-type location > with everyone seated, the only food for the first three hours was small > dishes of peanuts and mints on each table. One of my mother’s friends > managed to find a plate of Chips Ahoy-type chocolate chip cookies, which > we greedily kept to ourselves. There was a cash bar, and even a glass of > pop required paying. There was no dancing or anything — we just sat > around feeling hungry and bored for hours. (Had there been food, we > might have been less bored — it’s hard to feel sociable when you’re > tempted to suck the tablecloth for nutrients.) Once the not-so-happy > couple finally cut the cake and doled out SMALL portions, people fled in > search of solid food, and to gossip about the chances of success of the > marriage.
Eeeeeeeew. > The not-so-happy couple has been divorced since about 1986. The only > thing I remember positively was the favors, which were miniature pink > plastic umbrellas filled with mints. The mints were, of course, eaten > immediately to fend off starvation, and I used my umbrella as a Barbie > accessory for years.
Ya gotta keep focus on that silver lining. that UMBRELLA is it. So, as a review: – If you’re gonna dump him, do it before the invites go out. – Keep paint away from groom and groomsmen, or better yet, don’t kneel. – Provide lots of food all the way through. – Provide beverages — especially soda and coffee — all the way through. – Barbie accessories are really cool favors, but try to also include some GI Joe items (avoid a toy gun motif.) – Provide adequate CAKE. – If you’re throwing the party, BE THERE and celebrate with your guests. Hm. Not too too difficult. — St Theresa of the Net/only one you at uwm/Goal: HS wardrobe/&Don in ‘99/all bases covered
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> So, as a review: > – If you’re gonna dump him, do it before the invites go out. > – Keep paint away from groom and groomsmen, or better yet, don’t kneel. > – Provide lots of food all the way through. > – Provide beverages — especially soda and coffee — all the way through. > – Barbie accessories are really cool favors, but try to also include some GI > Joe items (avoid a toy gun motif.) > – Provide adequate CAKE. > – If you’re throwing the party, BE THERE and celebrate with your guests. > Hm. Not too too difficult.
I’m laughing hard enough to scare the cats, as you’ve very aptly summed up the qualities I admired in the weddings I remember fondly. The favors were never that good again, but the food and company was much better. It’s also roughly what we did ourselves… tons and tons of cake from the start of the reception, no pause for posed photos, and the best man knew that his only important task was to go get more lemonade if we ran out. I also got a good look at my about-to-be husband fully dressed for the ceremony, so I know there was nothing on the soles of his shoes (though he would have tended more toward obscure messages in Greek), and he knew that I intended to go through with it. Wende
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: I love the concept and would enjoy this a lot as a guest. Now, make sure : you have VERY clear plans on how you intend to keep hot food hot and : cold food cold, so that guests don’t go home with food poisoning, plus : how to keep ants and flies out of everything. It can be done, but you : have to plan ahead, especially if you’re doing your own set-up too. : Also, be sure to choose an invitation style that conveys "don’t wear : your best silk dress and high heels" through its style. On your map : card, mention that the event is picnic-style and whether guests should : bring blankets to sit on, lawn chairs (do you intend to provide : chairs???), and frisbees. OK, Wende, I’m following up to your message since it’s about in the middle, at least on my newsreader. Re: keeping hot food hot and cold food cold: I’m not sure about this. I’m thinking that we may be able to hire one of the more, ummm, affordable caterers in the Pittsburgh area, namely one that I’ve experienced before. They have chafing dishes and the like for hot foods, but I don’t know what they do about cold foods. I’m also not sure about ants and flies, and, my big worry, mosquitoes. I know a few aromatherapy tricks that are much more appealing than citronella, so I should be able to come up with something to avoid the little buggies. If we go with setting the food up ourselves, well… I have no idea, yet. I’m pretty big into cooking so I know where I can find plenty of resources on picnicking, and I’m going to look into those. To the person who asked about alcohol in the parks: Pittsburgh city parks require a liquor license for *any* park rental, so I assume that means you can serve alcohol. The only kind I want, though, is champagne for the toast — this is one of the big disputes with my family, who want a big drunken bash. 
*uck* I’m hoping to find a pavilion with sides, like one that’s in the city park here in BG, in case of rain. That way, we can buy some of that clear plastic sheeting stuff (like ultra-thick plastic wrap) and hang it in the "windows" and doorways if it rains. Hopefully this will work out OK. I’ll have to try it for a less-important bbq or go out to the park on purpose on a rainy day and see. Re: dress/suit — it’s pretty important to Bill and I that we have nice clothes, and I want a wedding gown. I’m not worried about the edges getting dirty — it’s clothes, y’know 
This is the dress I want: http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalgown/topbargains/monique.html It’s not white, and it’s not very formal, and I will probably have the train bustled for most of the time, so I don’t see many problems with it. For shoes, I don’t like heels anyway, and if I had them, I’d end up taller than Bill (we’re the same height) so I was planning to get some nice flat shoes. Is this message long enough? Geesh Thanks for all the encouragement… now if only I can face my family. *sigh* Jen
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> Is this message long enough? Geesh > Thanks for all the encouragement… now if only I can face my family. *sigh* > Jen
"Mom, Dad, obviously we don’t agree on what constitutes a wedding. So, rather than have friction for the rest of our lives over what we did or didn’t do with your money, we decided to pay for our wedding ourselves and have the wedding we want." Just a suggestion, anyway! Have a wonderful time planning your wedding, and enjoy what is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life. Beth (& Ray) June 3, 1993 … 5 1/2 years now
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> Re: keeping hot food hot and cold food cold: I’m not sure about this. I’m > thinking that we may be able to hire one of the more, ummm, affordable > caterers in the Pittsburgh area, namely one that I’ve experienced before. > They have chafing dishes and the like for hot foods, but I don’t know what > they do about cold foods.
Another option available here in Milwaukee is that some of the pavilions have refrigerators right in the building. My college graduation party was a picnic, and we handled it by bringing food out more gradually, and barbequing ing "waves" — only as much as needed at a time. By the end of the evening there was still stuff that could have gotten thrown, but most of the meat spent the day in the fridge so we didn’t have to dump it. If you’re going with caterers, they should have chafing dishes or possibly — depending on electricity availability — extension cords? > I’m also not sure about ants and flies, and, my big > worry, mosquitoes. I know a few aromatherapy tricks that are much more > appealing than citronella, so I should be able to come up with something to > avoid the little buggies.
It also depends on when in summer you’re doing this *and * the weather. Some years there just aren’t any bugs. Some years the bugs start in April. Check with the parks people about what bug control methods they offer or recommend, or check with local people on this — You might want to try the longer term sprays on the market. >. The only kind I want, though, is champagne for the toast — > this is one of the big disputes with my family, who want a big drunken bash. > *uck*
I think this may be a contradiction for the picnic then. People will easily be able to bring in their own coolers full of beer if they’re allowed alcohol. You may want to see if you could have a non-alcohol permit if that’s available and give up on the champaign, or maybe reconsider an indoor — more controllable — party. > http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalgown/topbargains/monique.html > It’s not white, and it’s not very formal, and I will probably have the train > bustled for most of the time, so I don’t see many problems with it.
Wow — those details look really cool! — St Theresa of the Net/only one you at uwm/Goal: HS wardrobe/&Don in ‘99/all bases covered
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>dirty — it’s clothes, y’know This is the dress I want: >http://www.windsorpeak.com/bridalgown/topbargains/monique.html >It’s not white, and it’s not very formal, and I will probably have the train >bustled for most of the time, so I don’t see many problems with it. For >shoes, I don’t like heels anyway, and if I had them, I’d end up taller than >Bill (we’re the same height) so I was planning to get some nice flat shoes. >Is this message long enough? Geesh >Thanks for all the encouragement… now if only I can face my family. *sigh* >Jen
That is a great dress! I had my fingers crossed for a few weeks while my stepmother’s dress was at the cleaners – in the meantime i picked out another dress, from monique, the style that has the blue embroidered flowers on it – i never even saw this cool one! A picnic wedding sounds fabulous to me (i wish i’d thought of it before i put all the deposits down 
) – good luck! Erin http://www.worldcontrol.org/theri It’s no better to be safe than sorry.
Response:
sooooo here I go .. trying to clear it up yet again.. lesson REALLY learned this time lol.. As far as the tongue thing.. it did not hurt a bit.. swelled for three days and no more owies lol.. I have had mine done for 6 years so I can take it out for significantly longer than you I guess.. I had to have surgery and after 8 hours was able to put it in with only a little resistance, and I take it out regularly to eat ice cream cones LOL..