help for the girl who was "never getting married" ?

[fiesty]

we had a wine ceremony instead of a unity candle

Ooh whats a wine ceremony? I've never heard of that. Sounds wonderful.

[lucid501]

we had a wine ceremony instead of a unity candle

Ooh whats a wine ceremony? I've never heard of that. Sounds wonderful.

It's neat...basically we had two small carafes of wine on a table behind the officiant (where the unity candle would normally go). One was white wine, and one was red wine. We each poured one of the small wine carafes into a larger decanter in the middle, making a "new wine". and then we each poured the other a glass from the new wine and took a drink. All this while DH's mother sang "In My Life" by the Beatles. It was really beautiful I thought, and a nice change. Here's a picture that kind of shows the glassware and stuff

[fiesty]

we had a wine ceremony instead of a unity candle

Ooh whats a wine ceremony? I've never heard of that. Sounds wonderful.

 One was white wine, and one was red wine. We each poured one of the small wine carafes into a larger decanter in the middle, making a "new wine". and then we each poured the other a glass from the new wine and took a drink.

Oh wow. Thats sounds so nifty. I may have to borrow that idea some day. Um, question though: how did the mixed wines taste? Did you experiment with it before hand and use a certain kind?

[lucid501]

I really don't remember how the mixed wine tasted....I don't remember it tasting bad though. Since we were only drinking a little bit we didn't bother with experimenting beforehand---I just had the caterer set out two of the wines that we had for the bar, but I don't remember what types they were. It might be fun to have a mixed wine tasting party beforehand though--maybe you'd come up with something that is actually really good 

[goldpaperstar]

"have you thought about having a two-toned dress?  If the bodice (or even the top of the bodice) was a dark colour that flattered you, and the bottom was white (or whatever), you'd have the flattering colour by your face.  You could use a shawl or some such thing for the same affect."
 

you should check out gwen stefani's wedding dress. i fell in love when i saw it. this could maybe work, but instead of the bottom, do the top.

[nonesuch]

You don't realy need a "theme," but it can help you focus.  Love the "Swing" era idea. 

Wedding dresses have really taken off in popularity since the late fifties- early sixties. (It helps to remember the origin of the white wedding dress--not to signify anything virtuous, but to prove the woman's family was well-heeled enough to provide an impractical dress she'd never wear again.) In my opinion, it's a huge money making scam  -er - industry.  (one that I work in, actually)  Find photos of weddings during the thirties and forties, and you'll see many young women married wearing their nicest "Sunday" dress or a pretty skirted suit.   There was a war going on. 

 There doesn't have to be an army of bridesmaids, either.  Your honor attendant, and your DF's, will likely sign as witnesses on the marriage license. 

You can probably have just one reception, with the luncheon early and the dancing later.  Having two receptions may give the impression you have an "a" list and a "b" list. 

The officiant at our ceremony was a minister.  He was very laid-back and helped us fine-tune our plans.  He brought up two things that he saw as being problematic at receptions:

1. Have a place for the older, youngest, or infirm to sit down during the reception.

2.  If you're not serving a full meal, that's perfectly okay.  Out of courtesy to your guests, schedule your non-meal reception at a non-meal time. 

By the way, said minister got married on his brother's farm, and afterward had a reception of barbequed food  and swimming in the farm pond.

No matter what you wear, or serve for food,  or what entertainment you provide at the reception, you will be just as married if you had a minister, JP, court officiant marry you two in your parents' home.  Best wishes.

[revoltofagirl]

I had almost forgotten about this thread!
thanks so much, everyone, for the wonderful ideas and comments. surprisingly, I haven't been planning much lately, just surfing indiebride and looking for a dress. I've found a 1950's style that I just LOVE but I need to find a pattern that would fit. (or a seamstress who can make a dress just from a picture!)

[caradee]

I'm sure that dress can be copied, or at least check out the vintage vogue selections, there are so many great dress patterns in reproduction lately.

Have fun with your wedding, don't let anyone tell you what to do, and make it personal and a reflection of what you two want from your marriage.  (I'm very newly married, and after 18 months of excessive planning, we had a lovely day, personal, funky and sophisticated... in the words of our guests)

[aunt carrot]

Oh my gosh, I have a Vintage Vogue reproduction of that pattern! (well, really similar anyway) I don't know the pattern # off the top of my head (I'm at work) but when I get home I'll post it. PM me if I forget. I bought it from the Vogue Patterns website, but have been too intimidated by it yet to try it, so have no idea what it's like to work with...

[aunt carrot]

Oh my gosh, I have a Vintage Vogue reproduction of that pattern! (well, really similar anyway) I don't know the pattern # off the top of my head (I'm at work) but when I get home I'll post it. PM me if I forget. I bought it from the Vogue Patterns website, but have been too intimidated by it yet to try it, so have no idea what it's like to work with...

Vintage Vogue V2903. http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2903=x&TI='V2903'&page=1 The original design is from 1957.