We both love LSU as do our families.  I thought it would be an original idea that hasn't been done, at least in our families it hasn't! Any suggestions on how to do this without cheapening our special day?
212263
Believe it or not, I typed LSU Wedding into Yahoo's search engine, and found a website, LSU Dining, that contains wedding menus and wedding packages:\nhttp://appl003.lsu.edu/cas/lsudining.nsf/$Content/Wedding+Packages?OpenDocument\n\nYou might contact the school itself and ask how they handle proms, formal dances, fancy events, etc, and then plan your wedding accordingly.\nhttp://appl003.lsu.edu/cas/lsudining.nsf/$Content/Contact+Us?OpenDocument\n\nHere's someone who actually had an LSU-themed wedding!\nhttp://www.lsu.edu/ambassadors/about/advisor.htm\n\nAnd more:\nhttp://tigerpages.com/espnlsuwedding.html\nhttp://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/marriagemadness/bracket\nhttp://tigerpages.com/\n\nI've even found an LSU wedding plate!\nhttp://stores.homestead.com/hstrial-JRivers1/Detail.bok?no=41\n\nYour wedding colors can be the school colors, which seem to be purple and gold.  Also, you can find metallic confetti of different sports--football, basketball--and/or of the school, and sprinkle them on your tables.  Can you hire a music arranger to create a waltz version of LSU's fighting song or alma mater for you and your intended to dance to?\n\nHave little LSU flags on the tables.  Trim the cake--trim, not paint!--in purple and gold, with the traditional white base.  Create a metallic version of LSU's flag to put on the wall (or is that too tacky?).\n\nPut Sports Wedding on a search engine and see what you find!\n\nAnyway, it's your wedding.  Have fun!\n\nP.S.  Send a portion of your monetary gifts for Hurricane Katrina relief.
600479
An old girlfriend and I actually discussed doing this...putting an ad in Craigslist and asking for 4 different couples (didn't matter the relationship) to come for dinner. In the responses, we wanted to know WHY they should be the ones invited, and HOW they would make the dinner more interesting. (We were NOT looking for anything sexual or drug related).\n\nWe never did it...but talked about it alot. Who would have shown up? What would the conversation have been? Political? Economic? Music? Travel? Prejudices? Books? War? Would any of the couples have ended up as friends with us? Or with each other? Would it have been a complete disaster???\n\nI still wonder....
267122
Celebrate!\n\nI love your answer to my Memorial Day question!\n\nSo far you're my favorite for best answer.\n\nI think what I think you are alluding to is a great way for you and your husband to celebrate his safe homecoming and remember our fallen heroes.\n\nThat is what they died for after all.  \n\nOur rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.\n\nBRAVO!
422042
This year my bf and I are trying something new. NO GIFTS. No one gets anything. We do send out homemade cards with personal notes in each card.\n\nWe are trying to get out of the extreme holiday behavior this world is coming to. We shouldn't have Christmas stuff for sale in all the stores before Thanksgiving and have to spend so much money on gifts for everyone. Gifts should be homemade and well thought out. We are trying to do what we can to change our families and teach them that we dont need gifts, we just want love and quality family time during the holidays!!\n\nIs it me or did I just go way off track on that answer? ;-)
182321
You could sing them the song Cletus T. Judd did. "I love NASCAR" I would absolutley love if someone did this for me at my wedding!
287886
My husband actually had to do this for his parents 50th wedding anniversary.  We got alot of input afterwards from his parents as to what parts they liked the best.  It seems they enjoyed hearing about what they all did as a family throughout the years, such as family vacations, special Christmases, that sort of thing.  My husband said a few humorous things regarding all that too.  They also liked hearing how they were a good example of what love and marriage is all about.  I think once you start bringing up all your good memories, your speech will practically write itself.  Good Luck!
299628
its fine to break tradition. i lost my son and didnt put up a Christmas tree for 2 years. just dont forget that your other children and her daughter are grieving too and they may need the tradition to a certain extent. i think requesting that only family is there is a great idea. let the boys cook the mothers day dinner for you at home. (as long as they are willing to clean too)as far as Christmas, the 10yo will need a Christmas as close to normal as possible. its hard, its something you wont forget of course, but it will get easier with time. i hope it all works out for you. email me if you need someone to talk to.
65856
Personally, I would be a little uncomfortable with that, and I would think that the guests would as well.  There are ways to pay respect to loved ones who have passed and you should do (cheesy I know), what's in your heart.  If there are several members that you want to acknowledge, then you could make a dvd with pictures and video clips accompanied by music.  You can take a moment during the reception to recognize how much you miss them and how happy they would be for the two of you. You could also say something like: the song ... for our first dance was actually chosen by my father, who sang this song to me every night before bed.  Thank you dad, we love you.  Something like that where he unintentionally contributed something for your union.\nBoth of my fiance's parents have passed away, so we are going to set up a table with several framed pictures of them surrounded by flowers, candles, and something in writing placed on cardstock.
282547
Talk to his mom, and ask her what some of their wedding/reception traditions are.  Combine a few of their traditions with a few of your family's, and come up with a few things with your fiance.  It's nice that you are concerned with including your family members.  So many brides take the attitude that it's "MY" wedding, and I'll do what I want.  Including your future in-laws will go a long way in strengthening your relationship with them.
402423
I would suggest calling a florist and having a beautiful centerpiece delivered.......have one with a candle in the center so you can light it and all give thanks!!!  No a thank you note is always a nice touch......I am sure you will make a wonderful impression on the family!!!  Do NOT pick up anything at the grocery store as I am sure she has the entire meal planned!
402106
you can pick what ever music you want.  it's your wedding.  make a list of his faves and your faves. have the dj or whomever play his/yours one after the other.  this way you both hear what you want.  and by the way i love that song.  congrats and good luck. and if you're an elvis kinda person, dance to "A Little Less Conversation." i saw that in a t.v. show and thought i was great.  all the wedding party and their guests danced wildely and it looked like fun.
547470
Awesome, I want to do the same thing, not the Longhorns though...\n\nIf you have struck out everywhere else, the only suggestion I can come up with is to go to this website and have one custom made:\n\nhttp://www.teamcheer.com/department.asp?id=94
517209
Well after all the fall housekeeping is done, the silver polished and the good stuff brought out and the table is set and the shopping is done...then there is the baking, the peeling, mashing, the stuffing to make.  Next comes cleaning the bird, stuffing and baking it.  All the while you feed people snaks, keep the kids quiet and busy, set the table and call everyone  for the carving of the turkey.  As you have struggled  to get everything on the table hot and all at oncet...the men don't show up because it is the last quarter of the football game and the score is 12-12 and they are in a state of high anxiety and won't move from the set and yell to you ...."wait a minute...it's the last quarter and the score is tied" and you stand there with the done bird on the tray and think ...why do I put myself through this year in and year out?    When it is all done and over with and everyone has stuffed themselves with pumpkin and apple pie, had a walk,  and about to take a nap...you realize the only one that has been kind and thankful for you and all your effort is the faithful family dog.\n\nSo my dear, if you have never done this annual tradition, don't start.  Book a table at a nearby resturant and save yourself a lot of work and enjoy the day off.  Don't forget the doggy bag for the family pet.
174897
I have done this before,you need allot of support,a lot of business helping out,and a lot of room.I would put some thing up on a bulletin board and then in the gym,on some fields,around town ,and if your town or city has a like a HS football field put it their.And make sure it isn't all fancy just make it so that it looked like your coach's choice.If he had favorite colors put those colors on the petition,it helps for support.Make sure in the petition that you put the cause,how many singnaures you need and many lines.At the end put some thing like Let Him Play at Peace,or something like that.
354527
How funny -- my husband has done all of the things you listed (the song is still top of the list).  \n\nHe gave me an awesome b-day present of a hot air balloon trip for my 30th b-day (don't know if I could stomach it now) and another great gift was a surprise gondola ride (wine and chocolate covered strawberries as we cruised Coronado bay as the sun set..)  Horsebackriding was also a fun gift -- the trick is that these were all surprises and the fun part was in guessing where we were headed and then the fun of getting there to see what we were in for!\n\nSo try a neat "experience" like these.  Another cool thing (but you have to really know your wife) is a big household project that you could care less about but you know your wife would love (a fancy new front door that you install -- or have a professional insall -- a cool new chandelier or modern light to replace the old one above the dining room table - just be sur eto get advice from her mom or friend on the taste / appearance of what you select).\n\nGood luck -- you sound like a great husband and I know that takes hard work and dedication  :)
547849
Sign it from the team. After all, you didn't ask the team in advance if they wanted to give a gift certificate. Also, it is not exactly in the spirit of an end-of-season gift to try to make a point or embarrass people by leaving their names off a gift card.\n\nAnd Erika S is right! Have ALL the girls sign it individually. That would make it a nicer memento, and it's correct that the girls are not at fault for their parents not wanting to chip in.
457304
Post what their ages are in your additional details and i'll be able to give better advice. BLESS YOU WOMAN. You are one brave soul! My children are 9 and 10 so I'll have to go with what I would want to do. BOWLING. Both sexes like it and you don't have to do much entertaining. Start making our a guest list now. The party is going to be in February but start organizing the details now. I'd make sure to buy canned pop. It's less of a mess and it will save you time. Ask your child what they want as far as cake and ice cream is concerned. Also, I always recruit a mother to help me out. It's usually my sister and my aunt.