I'm NOT doing it in a church, and it's going to be small; just inviting family and CLOSE friends. I want to have it at the end of this year and I also need ideas for activities for my guests.
211421
Have as many family and friends help as possible.  \n\nYou could have somebody take pictures and just have a few professional taken.  Could even be after the wedding in a park or studio.  Or look in to a photography school or somebody looking for experience. Also applies for video.\n\nMake your own flower and centerpieces.  http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home has a great selection with ideas and step by step instructions.  $1-$2 fish bowls in the craft dept at walmart make great centerpieces.  You can even get them in color.  Fill them with water, colored water, floating candles, sand & shells, flowers.  \n\nCakes can be very easy to make.  Just make different size circles.  Layer them and add flowers to the top.\n\nYou don't need to hire a dj you can have premade cd's or somebody play them.\n\nThe stationary section in walmart has some really pretty invitations ready to print on the computer or if you are crafty do a search on the internet and get examples of premade ones and just make your own.\n\nWedding favors candy wrapped in tulle with a note tied to it..thanks for being a part of our sweet day.  You coudl make your own fortune cookies with and put whatever you want on the paper inside.\n\nDo searches on the internet. Usually you can make most things yourself.  Good luck and Congrats!  Hope some of this helps.\n\nhttp://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/...\nThis site looked good for more information!
544713
Unfortunately that's going to happen despite your best intentions.  When planning my reception, we married out of the country and had a reception at home a week later, I had to put a stop to the number of people being included because my then fiance was wanting to invite everyone and their brother!\n\nWe finally settled on immediate family, close relatives (these are the ones you see/talk to more often than at funerals, weddings & family reunions), friends (talk to/see weekly or a couple times a month), parents friends who have known you your entire life, co-workers (that you see socially, not just in the office).  And even those we went over and over.  We too didn't want to leave anyone out but sometimes, it just can't be helped.\n\nAnd a big oversight to watch out for when doing your guest list is partners.  When you invite your friend Jill, don't forget to include her friend Jack as her guest,  married couples and significant others also count as 2 guests not just 1.  You didn't mention if you're including children.  (We didn't because I know several children who are finicky eaters and I wasn't catering to their picky appetites.)  So you could find that by iinviting your Aunt Mary and Uncle John and family you've included 5 people to your total guest list.\n\nI just saw someone else mention the wedding party count as guests too...but don't forget to count their partners, spouses, significant others, etc.
199978
* Package a collection of family recipes in a small box with your names and wedding date printed on the back.\n\n* Small stacks of postcards asking guests to "Keep in Touch!"\n\n* Christmas ornaments in ivory, silver, or gold tied with a velvet ribbon (For weddings during Nov/Dec)\n\n* Miniature heart-shape, hand-painted boxes with a single delectable truffle tucked inside.\n\n* Tins of mints labeled, "Mint to Be Together."\n\n* A classic like Jordan Almonds packaged in a new way -- grouped in mini birds' nests or placed inside artfully decorated pill boxes.\n\n* Sparklers, especially for an outdoor Fourth of July celebration, will allow guests to illuminate the skies once the sun goes down -- and light up your grand exit.\n\n* Caramel apples wrapped in cellophane and personalized leaf-shaped tags are the perfect treat for a Halloween wedding.\n\n* Chinese take-out boxes filled with candies and tagged with "Life Is Sweet."\n\n* Glassine bags or tiny terra-cotta pots filled with herbs or flower seeds.\n\n* CDs of the wedding-day music or favorite tunes personally created by the couple.\n\n* Mini photo albums in fun colors are gifts everyone will use.\n\n* Scrolled astrological readings tied with sheer ribbon (ask everyone to write in his or her birth date on the RSVP cards).\n\n* Luggage tags boxed and tied with an "On the Road of Life Together" ribbon.\n\n* Personalized color pencils (some even come scented) are fun and festive.\n\n* Lottery tickets are ideal -- give your guests a chance at good fortune!\n\n* Colorful clusters of miniature floral-scented soaps wrapped in tulle to match your primary wedding colors.\n\n* Romantic: A copy of Shakespeare's love Sonnets or a book of favorite love poems. Custom-create a bookmark to add a personal touch.\n\n* a jar of honey pinned with a personalized tag inspired by James Taylor: "How Sweet It Is To Bee Loved By You."
237022
The important thing is for you and your beloved to have a day the feels special to the both of you.  Depending on where you live, some states allow a lay person(someone who is not a minister or a justice of the peace) to get a special license for 1 day, and they can marry you.  So that wouldn't be too expensive(maybe the person you ask to do it would even pay for the license themselves).  You could also find a justice of the peace, or go to your local city or town hall and ask if they do wedding ceremonies.  You could keep your ceremony small, and just have immediate family.  That way you don't have to pay for a lot of flowers or decorations.  Then for the ceremony, it depends on how many people you want to invite.  My ceremony was in my church, and then our reception was at a small hotel.  We had less than 50 people, but our total cost was still over $5,000, which included my dress, alterations, flowers, food, hubbies tux, etc.  If either of you belong to a church, you should be able to get married in it for a small fee(if any).  Then you could just do a small ceremony afterwards.  Some people are doing just appetizers, or just desserts.  It's basically just an hour or so, lets everyone mingle, then there could be a toast and people can go on their way.  As far as invitations, you can buy nice paper at an office supply store and print them yourselves.  If you have a small reception with just apps or desserts, include that so people don't expect to be fed.  But it's all perfectly okay!!
232154
Have a small bridal party, one or two bridesmaids/groomsmen and ask them to pay for their own clothing for the day(or No bridesmaids/groomsmen).  \nHave the ceremony at the church where you are a member...if you have a church.  They often give lower prices and provide a lot of ammenities.  For example my chuch only cost $200 and they had a wedding/reception coordinator, did all the clean up after wards, served at the reception, provided plates/serving ware/utensils/cups and mixed the punch for the reception.  \nUse fake/silk flowers.\nHave a cake/punch reception instead of serving a meal. \nHave a sheet cake instead of a tiered cake, or have a small tiered cake for the wedding party/parents and a sheet cake to feed all the other people. \nLimit the guest list to Family/extended family. \nMake your invitations or buy them at Staples, Wal-Mart, etc.\nHave a basic ceremony, no unity candle(s).\nKnow what you want, don't let the sales people talk you into bigger/better/more expensive.  \n\nREMEMBER: The wedding day is about you and your soon to be husbands love for each other, not the decorations.
444398
That sound like a lot of fun.  Hope you have a wonderful party.
436317
If you only have 100....you need to scale your giving list down.  Scale back friends before family.....try to get the list down to ten or fifteen.\n\nWith what is left....why not make a calandar with pictures taken throughout the year.  Your computer software should have a template for making a calandar.  All you need is paper and a stapler!!\n\nIf you insist on giving all 25 people a present.  I would start hitting some yard sales or garage sales in your area.  You can always find interesting things at them....and most for under a couple of bucks!!!  Buy Christmas wrap in bulk....one big roll should wrap all your gifts!!\n\nGo on Craigslist....look for free stuff.  You never know what you may find for free.  One person's junk is another person's fabuluos Christmas present!!!\n\nGood luck with that!!!
124103
I am not sure if this is the same thing as a "come and go" event, but we have a very large family and often hold what we call "open houses".  I advise a 2-3 hour time frame for the event.  Refreshments can be very simple, especially if you hold the shower during the afternoon hours of 2-5 or 1-4 since this is after lunch and before dinner.  Use small plates, 6 or 8 inch and provide finger foods - fresh veggies with dip, cut-up fresh fruit, small appetizers such as little quiche or little sausages wrapped around crescent roll dough.  Dessert can be sugar cookies made in hearts with the wedding date or bride and groom's names written on them.  Miniature cupcakes would be cute, too.  Provide something that will "unite" all the guests since they won't all be there at the same time.  Maybe provide a recipe card and a 3x5 card in each guest's invitation.  Have them bring a favorite recipe on the recipe card and some "advice" for the happy couple on the 3x5 card.  Have a pretty basket available to put the card in.  As each guest leaves, give them something small as a momento since you won't be able to do much in the way of games.  Perhaps a small votive candle or a little potpourri wrapped in tulle and ribbon that match the colors of the bride's colors.  After the party, as the bride-to-be unwraps each gift, take a digital or poloroid picture of her with the gift and send it in the thank-you card to the giver.  Make sure everyone has a name tag since the guest list is large.  Another option may be to consider a different venue for the party.  A church social hall, a school gym or cafeteria, a park with a gazebo, someone's back yard, may be possibilities to allow all guests to be there at the same time.  Also, if you have anyone nice enough to ask what they can do to help, be sure to accept their offer and see if they can either help set-up or clean-up or perhaps bring a veggie tray or make cookies.  This will help financially and will be less stress for you.
535038
Since you have so many places to be and so many people to see, I suggest you guys use the whole week before xmas to celebrate. I would spend a couple of days with his father and wife and then a couple of days with his mother and her husband and then spend a couple of days with your parents. But make sure you are back at your home for Christmas day to celebrate each other. What a great way to spread holiday cheer and make everyone happy. This way no one can be mad about who you spending Christmas day with, since it will be with each other at home. I realize this is alot of running around but thats what the holidays are all about, the hustle and bustle. However, I would get married and a bigger place so you can have everyone over at your house and let them do the traveling.....Merry Christmas and Good Luck!!
309454
I just went to a "surprise" housewarming party.  The couple with the new house were taken out for a few hours by other friends and we all met there in time for there return.  We all brought a gift-food dish and beverage all to share.  The couple was ecstatic--everything was great and with all of us chipping in there were plenty of food gifts and drinks.  The couples family set up a treasure hunt for them too--it was fun to watch.  Also if you can get into the house without your sister you can plan a trivia for the guest. Ask quesions like "how many  electrical outlets are in the house?" or " What brand refrigerator do they have?".  Maybe supply little gifts like candles and suchfo the winners.  Don't stress too much chances are pelple will enjoy being in eachothers company and making new memories in the new home.  (Note: Disposable cameras!!)
635795
This site has some good ones.\nhttp://www.familyinternet.about.com/library/blpartyinvitations.htm\nAll I did was search for free party invitations.
368286
Hosting a dinner party for family, my brother's in-laws and a neighbor (widow). Want to join us?
664426
1. For a unique party favor my groom and I are giving out lottery tickets. Only $1 each.. I will have a note in the program stating the tickets were chosen because we are so lucky to have our family and friends with us on our wedding day.\nI will also add a line that all winnings will need to be split with the bride and groom!\n\n 2. Instead of having an ordinary guestbook, that you hardly will look at again, I am going to create a photo guest book.  My guestbook attendants will take polaroids of each guest... either individually or in a group, however they come, and put it on the pages of the guestbook/scrapbook.  The guests will then sign on the bottom of their picture.  My fiance and I will then have a photo album of all the guests at our wedding! :) GST\n\n3. We are getting married next year and instead of the traditional wedding we have decided to go with a "rock-n-roll" theme. We are going to have records displayed around the hall with our names on them and a picture of the two of us. Our colors are navy blue, black and silver so there will be plenty of those colors…from the silver glitter on the black tables cloths to the silver spray painted roses.\n\n 4. Since this is a second marriage and there are children that will be blended into a new family, we are decorating the tables at the reception with photo trees holding photos of my future husband and I and our children doing things together. We feel it shows that this marriage is not the union of just two people, but the formation of a new family.\n\n5. We had a shortage of single men and women invited to our wedding, most of our friends and family were already married.  So we needed to come up with something different to replace the traditional bouquet and garter throwing.  We invited everyone to the dance floor and the dj played several lovely, slow songs.  First the dj told all couples married two hours or less to sit down (everyone got a kick out of that).  Then a few moments later, any married a year or less, than five years, ten years and so on, until there was only one couple left.  They were neighbors and friends of my family and had been married for fifty years.  We asked them to stay on the dance floor while I took a seat and my husband made a big show of removing my garter.  We then faced the winning couple, congratulated them on their fifty years and asked them for their best marriage advice as we presented them with the bouquet and garter.  They were very touched and it gave us a great feeling too.
413230
umm\nwho its for\nyour age\nwhere its at\nwhat time\nwhat to bring\nthe theme if there is one\nrsvp # (if you want ppl the rsvp)\nthats about it \n\nhave fun
481006
Because part of your family doesn't live nearby, Maybe you can alternate, so that one year you stay home and spend the holiday with whoever lives close by, and the next year you go to see the ones who are farther away.\n\nAnother option is to arrange a date within a week or two of Christmas when you can celebrate with the family members who don't live nearby. Maybe even host a dinner at your home and invite them. \n\nWe have run into similar problems with my family and my in-laws, even though they only live 15 minutes from us. My mother-in-law wanted us to go to church with them Christmas Eve and then come over first thing in the morning. But my parents also wanted us over early in the day. We finally had to make the decision to divide our time in the way that worked best for us. So now we go to church on our own on Christmas Eve, then go to my parents' early in the day on Christmas, and my in-laws' later in the afternoon.\n\nThere's no way to be everywhere at once, and they'll understand if you can't always be with them on Christmas Day.\n\nI know it's tough, but you'll be so much more relaxed if you space your visits apart in some way. Christmas shouldn't be spent rushing around trying to see everyone and please everyone. Take time for yourself!\n\nGood luck!
418008
I love parties! \nStep One:\n   Set the tone, a festive room makes for a festive party! Go crazy  \n   with christmas lights, balloons, confetti and decorations! Music is\n   a key part of setting the tone, pick some upbeat songs.\nStep Two:\n   Make it inviting, the more fun a party is for your guests the more \n   fun it will be for you! You're never to old to make goodie bags for\n   your guests. Play a game with prizes for the winner* (see below \n   for game ideas)\nStep Three:\n   Make it personal, when your guests feel like they belong they\n   will relax and have fun. Have plain balloons around with one of\n   your guests names on each, if you want to go all out, write\n   something you like about them with their name, or what their\n   name means. If you're serving a meal set a table with name\n   cards, not having to decide where to sit relieves any chance\n   someone might get left out in the cold. \n\nGame Ideas\n+ pinata\n+ a quiz about the birthday girl (this one can have a prize)\n+ the word game (another prize one)\n      - when your guests come in give each one three clothespins\n        to attach to their shirt and tell them they can't say a certain\n        word during the party (like cake, or balloon) if they hear\n        another person saying the word they call them on it and take\n        one of their clothespins. At the end of the party the person \n        with the most clothespins wins!\n\nGoodie Bags\n+ put some cool stuff in them along with the usual candy. Go to the\n   dollar store and pick out a key chain or something that fits what\n   you and your friends are into. If you don't have a ton of guests\n   you can put a $5 gift certificate for a coffe in each bag.\n\n\nHappy Birthday, and Have Fun!!!
561288
Go for it! Have a drink for me! God, I used to work with clods like that and I WISH I'd thought of having a party like that. Sounds like you and your co-workers will be in heaven for those 2 months, so may as well start it off right.