Call me crazy... Resurrected for a question relevant to our decision

hellosweetie1015

...but FI and I may have actually just planned our entire wedding.

In Auburn.

At a tailgate.

For the Mississippi State football game next year, which should fall quite neatly on the date that I'm most hopeful for.

(You are, of course, invited to call me absolutely crazy.) (I am, however, crazy excited about this idea.)

Planning high points:

- Tailgate Guys would set us up a tent with plenty of chairs for everyone (FI knows one of the original Tailgate Guys)

- There would be enough food for everyone

- It removes a lot of the accessibility issues we are dealing with with my grandmother (not all but lots)

- It's a more local venue for EVERYONE 

Reasons this is brilliant

- Auburn is both of our alma maters

- It's the first idea that either of us (much less BOTH of us) got really excited about

- It's a great way to incorporate Auburn without it being so out of place and OTT (it's a tailgate, AU stuff is all but required)

Issues:

- LARGE, very public venue

- Still some accessibility issues

- Campus regulations might not allow it (Added in resurrection: figured this out, currently no regulations re: wedding at tailgate, although that may pop up after we do it...)

Resurrected for this question:

The current plan is to have the wedding fairly early, before everyone really starts getting good'n'going around us, do a simple catered brunch-type thing, and then open the tailgate up with barbecue/ChickFilA/tailgate snacks/etc. to our friends who will be in the area. I want to do this, because it would be great to see everyone, and a lot of our friends who have graduated will be in town for the game or for tailgating or what have you. But I am afraid that it will come off as a tiered reception the more I think about it. Obviously this all depends on the game time, and we may have to drop back and punt by the time we figure that part out.

Thoughts?

lc07

I love to tailgate! Would you go into the game afterwards?

hellosweetie1015

That would depend ENTIRELY on how much money we have, hahaha. AU football games are sort of expensive, especially in-conference, which the game would definitely end up being. October's hell month in Auburn, haha.

jenna8984

Hey-O!!! I went to Auburn, war eagle!! 

Ok, I only went for one semester (fall 2003) and the southerners were not nice to me so I hightailed my yankee ass back up to MA, but I still cheer for them as my football team  

I think it would be neat! And I don't so much mind the aspect of a public place because then have strangers like yelling congrats and telling you how beautiful you look! Not going to lie, mine's at a restaurant and I'm a little excited for other patrons to see me and be an AW for the night hahaha 

WinstonsGirl

Actually, that sounds like fun.  I've never been tailgating, cos it's just not a thing up here, but I would love to go.  

hellosweetie1015

jenna8984 said:

Hey-O!!! I went to Auburn, war eagle!! 

Ok, I only went for one semester (fall 2003) and the southerners were not nice to me so I hightailed my yankee ass back up to MA, but I still cheer for them as my football team  

I think it would be neat! And I don't so much mind the aspect of a public place because then have strangers like yelling congrats and telling you how beautiful you look! Not going to lie, mine's at a restaurant and I'm a little excited for other patrons to see me and be an AW for the night hahaha 

I'm sorry they weren't nice! I always made a point to be nice to everyone I met while I was there, even when LSU came to town. I would MUCH prefer a damn Yankee over a corn-dogger any day, hahahaha.

I'm excited that we thought of it. For real, everyone is excited about it except my punk-ass sister (literally - she has purple tips and wears screamo shirts on a day-to-day) who is making faces.

hellosweetie1015

WinstonsGirl said:

Actually, that sounds like fun.  I've never been tailgating, cos it's just not a thing up here, but I would love to go.  

I haven't ever actually hosted a tailgate, although I've definitely been tailgating. This will be quite the experiment haha! 

hellosweetie1015

NOOOOOOOO @smichek I LIKE you! How is it possible!!!!

kbsmom1

Sounds awesome..... October is usually really dry and not humid!!! Can't wait to see your pics!!!wish I could say War Eagle:(........so goooo Dawgs:)

hellosweetie1015

smichek said:

CaitTDid23 said:

NOOOOOOOO @smichek I LIKE you! How is it possible!!!!

We can agree to disagree! But I probably won't talk to you on 11/29! This reminds me that I need to put my new window sticker and vanity plate on my car.

We'll have to do that, haha. I won't be speaking to anyone except Gus through the TV on 11/29, haha. My Mawmaw would LOVE you though, haha. She's a long-term Bama fan. Getting her to Auburn for a football game is gonna be difficult on a whole different level... it was hard enough to get her there for my GRADUATION, haha.

hellosweetie1015

kbsmom1 said:

Sounds awesome..... October is usually really dry and not humid!!! Can't wait to see your pics!!!wish I could say War Eagle:(........so goooo Dawgs:)

I LOVE October in Auburn, haha. It's gorgeous. 

War damn! I'm getting even more excited; we're sitting here planning it as we speak, even though we're a year and change out. 

sarahufl

Gator grad, here I also grew up in Tallahassee, which is another huge football town.

I think your wedding sounds fun- BUT, I do have some concerns.

- Gainesville and Tallahassee are impossible to travel to on game weekends. The airport is awful/tiny, there are zero hotels, restaurants are super crowded

- In Tallahassee, they won't give you room blocks on big weekends

- Is this something your guests would side-eye? My friends would think it was really fun, but I bet H's family would have judged the crap out of it. They are very traditional and this would not fit their vision.

- Logistics may be tough. On football weekends in Tallahassee and Gainesville traffic is horrendous and there is no parking. Anywhere. Will people be able to get there? What if they want to leave?

- Bathrooms- where are they? 

Anyway, not to rain on your parade, because I think this sounds badass and fun, but there are quite a lot of logistical issues you should consider.

pinkshorts27

Now I'm not an Auburn or Alabama fan, but can we all agree to hate Oregon? 

(And Go Stanford!).

Knottie37373131

I love this! I hope it is possible!

hellosweetie1015

sarahufl said:

Gator grad, here I also grew up in Tallahassee, which is another huge football town.

I think your wedding sounds fun- BUT, I do have some concerns.

- Gainesville and Tallahassee are impossible to travel to on game weekends. The airport is awful/tiny, there are zero hotels, restaurants are super crowded This is a very fair point, and definitely something to be thinking about. However, FI's parents are super local, my family would be traveling in one-two cars max, we'd all be getting there fairly early, and no one is so far-flung from AU that a hotel would be NECESSARY. So this, while certainly an issue, is a fairly small concern. Although I know I'll probably have FI talk to his most distant family, since his group is the farthest-flung. 

- In Tallahassee, they won't give you room blocks on big weekends See above, and also I might be able to get in early enough with the time I've got that the one group of people (FI's extended family) will be able to get a room no problem if they want it.

- Is this something your guests would side-eye? My friends would think it was really fun, but I bet H's family would have judged the crap out of it. They are very traditional and this would not fit their vision. Thankfully, we both come from sports-loving families. FMIL got all excited and started giving us even more great ideas, so this is pretty much a non-issue with the entire guest list (my big immediate family, FI's smaller group of family, and our respective best friends).

- Logistics may be tough. On football weekends in Tallahassee and Gainesville traffic is horrendous and there is no parking. Anywhere. Will people be able to get there? What if they want to leave? This is my most major concern. Especially with the game not even being scheduled yet, much less a time frame or anything. I'm not sure what our options might be here, so I'm definitely going to have to look into it.

- Bathrooms- where are they? Actually, I dunno if you've been to AU recently (I know UF hasn't been up in a while) but we would be having it on a new-ish greenspace right by the Student Union so bathrooms would be much easier to access than your standard park-an-RV-and-pray-for-clean-portapotties gig. Although certainly not RIGHT there, they would be plenty close enough.

Anyway, not to rain on your parade, because I think this sounds badass and fun, but there are quite a lot of logistical issues you should consider.

No raining on parades here! All things I've thought of, and most of which I *think* can be easily maneuvered. The parking would certainly be the largest of the issues, so I'm hoping some decent time spent on the logistics can work it out.

garnetandgold60

sarahufl said:

Gator grad, here I also grew up in Tallahassee, which is another huge football town.

I think your wedding sounds fun- BUT, I do have some concerns.

- Gainesville and Tallahassee are impossible to travel to on game weekends. The airport is awful/tiny, there are zero hotels, restaurants are super crowded

- In Tallahassee, they won't give you room blocks on big weekends

- Is this something your guests would side-eye? My friends would think it was really fun, but I bet H's family would have judged the crap out of it. They are very traditional and this would not fit their vision.

- Logistics may be tough. On football weekends in Tallahassee and Gainesville traffic is horrendous and there is no parking. Anywhere. Will people be able to get there? What if they want to leave?

- Bathrooms- where are they? 

Anyway, not to rain on your parade, because I think this sounds badass and fun, but there are quite a lot of logistical issues you should consider.

I think it's an awesome idea (I'm a huge football fan, if you can't tell by the name and avatar )

But I think @sarahufl brings up some good points.

Another thing to think about would be, do you want it to be a long ceremony? I know that the "tailgating" wouldn't be the main focus (your getting married is!) but at the same time, at that venue it may be a bit of a balancing act.

Also, do you/your FI/your family/friends have a place where you can park to tailgate to get married? I know that at FSU you have to be a certain level of Booster in order to get a parking permit, and even then you're sometimes in a parking garage or parking lot...my family has a pass for our IM Field, but we all chipped in a pretty penny. Obviously I know a tailgate won't be as "decorated" as a ballroom, beach, etc., but just keep in mind that it may be in a parking lot, or a side lot (I don't know how Auburn's stadium/surrounding area is set up.) if you don't have a pass for an IM field or other area.

I do know that getting married at a tailgate would be the only way I could get my family to come to my wedding during football season, so I do think it's a super awesome idea!

...and I just have to (with all these here "War Eagles," and "Roll Tides...")

SCALP 'EM SEMINOLES!

hellosweetie1015

garnetandgold60 said:

sarahufl said:

Gator grad, here I also grew up in Tallahassee, which is another huge football town.

I think your wedding sounds fun- BUT, I do have some concerns.

- Gainesville and Tallahassee are impossible to travel to on game weekends. The airport is awful/tiny, there are zero hotels, restaurants are super crowded

- In Tallahassee, they won't give you room blocks on big weekends

- Is this something your guests would side-eye? My friends would think it was really fun, but I bet H's family would have judged the crap out of it. They are very traditional and this would not fit their vision.

- Logistics may be tough. On football weekends in Tallahassee and Gainesville traffic is horrendous and there is no parking. Anywhere. Will people be able to get there? What if they want to leave?

- Bathrooms- where are they? 

Anyway, not to rain on your parade, because I think this sounds badass and fun, but there are quite a lot of logistical issues you should consider.

I think it's an awesome idea (I'm a huge football fan, if you can't tell by the name and avatar )

But I think @sarahufl brings up some good points.

Another thing to think about would be, do you want it to be a long ceremony? NOPE! That's the absolute best part, hahaha, I don't want a long ceremony at all. I know that the "tailgating" wouldn't be the main focus (your getting married is!) but at the same time, at that venue it may be a bit of a balancing act.

Also, do you/your FI/your family/friends have a place where you can park to tailgate to get married? I know that at FSU you have to be a certain level of Booster in order to get a parking permit, and even then you're sometimes in a parking garage or parking lot...my family has a pass for our IM Field, but we all chipped in a pretty penny. Obviously I know a tailgate won't be as "decorated" as a ballroom, beach, etc., but just keep in mind that it may be in a parking lot, or a side lot (I don't know how Auburn's stadium/surrounding area is set up.) if you don't have a pass for an IM field or other area. We actually just discovered that the AU Alumni Association gives discounts for the closest hotel to campus. If we book early enough we may can actually get rooms. We'd have to work with the hotel REALLY closely, but I think it would be possible.

I do know that getting married at a tailgate would be the only way I could get my family to come to my wedding during football season, so I do think it's a super awesome idea!

...and I just have to (with all these here "War Eagles," and "Roll Tides...")

SCALP 'EM SEMINOLES!

I knew you were a 'Nole. I'll try my best not to hold it against you, though

hellosweetie1015

^^^That's the tailgate space we'll be likely using (although it's not 100% yet obviously). All greenspace though!

ETA: A second, more preferable, closer-to-our-preferred-lodging tailgate location:

(although this is a crappy picture of the area)

garnetandgold60

CaitTDid23 said:

^^^That's the tailgate space we'll be likely using (although it's not 100% yet obviously). All greenspace though!

ETA: A second, more preferable, closer-to-our-preferred-lodging tailgate location:

(although this is a crappy picture of the area)

Much, much better than a parking lot!

Also, since it's y'alls alma mater--if you don't mind having a first look--why not go around campus and have pictures taken in some locations? Again, I don't know Auburn's campus, but there are some awesome fountains and statues at FSU that would be gorgeous and really cool for wedding photos.

climbingsingle

I think this is an awesome idea.

KatieinBkln

pinkshorts27 said:

Now I'm not an Auburn or Alabama fan, but can we all agree to hate Oregon? 

(And Go Stanford!).

I will hate the SHIT out of Oregon with you (stupid damn ducks stomped all over my Badgers at the Rose Bowl...I didn't care for it).

hellosweetie1015

KatieinBkln said:

pinkshorts27 said:

Now I'm not an Auburn or Alabama fan, but can we all agree to hate Oregon? 

(And Go Stanford!).

I will hate the SHIT out of Oregon with you (stupid damn ducks stomped all over my Badgers at the Rose Bowl...I didn't care for it).

I am all FOR hating on Oregon, haha. (Hi, Oregon people! I love y'all. Just not your Duckies.)

hellosweetie1015

garnetandgold60 said:

CaitTDid23 said:

^^^That's the tailgate space we'll be likely using (although it's not 100% yet obviously). All greenspace though!

ETA: A second, more preferable, closer-to-our-preferred-lodging tailgate location:

(although this is a crappy picture of the area)

Much, much better than a parking lot!

Also, since it's y'alls alma mater--if you don't mind having a first look--why not go around campus and have pictures taken in some locations? Again, I don't know Auburn's campus, but there are some awesome fountains and statues at FSU that would be gorgeous and really cool for wedding photos.

I'm not sure if we'll do a first look or not, but I think it would be GREAT to ramble around for a little while and take pictures and just goof off. FI is all "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding" for some reason right now though sooooo... 0.o

ElcaB

I think that's awesome and I admire your originality. 

The only downer I sense is the logistics of the crowd. Also, what is the parking situation? 

hellosweetie1015

ElcaB said:

I think that's awesome and I admire your originality. 

The only downer I sense is the logistics of the crowd. Also, what is the parking situation? 

My grandmother has a handicapped placard, actually, so she may be able to get preferred parking no matter where we end up. If we use the location closer to the hotel, parking would be in the hotel parking lot directly across the street, so it would not be a major issue. 

The logistics are going to be the kicker, I think, but I think with the resources we have in AU (having both spent 8 years down there) we will be able to work it out to a satisfactory result. I mean, obviously we can't resolve the travel issues, simply because Auburn supposedly becomes the 4th largest city in the state on home weekends, jumping up from, like, 9th. But we may can get lodging worked out, or paid (by us) parking close enough, to allow everyone to get there easily.

smalfrie19

pinkshorts27 said:

Now I'm not an Auburn or Alabama fan, but can we all agree to hate Oregon? 

(And Go Stanford!).

As long as its the Ducks..because EVERYONE knows Ducks fans SUCK!!!

xo UW husky wife and sister 

hellosweetie1015

Looks like there's a concensus: Nobody likes Oregon's Ducks. Haha!

Y'all, this idea has me bouncing off the walls. AND I think it will actually work out to be just as inexpensive as the beach wedding, plus it's something BOTH of us are happy about. I haven't been this excited about our wedding yet. (Marriage to FI? Yep. Super excited. The party that ensues? Eh, not so much.)

hellosweetie1015

Resurrected for this question: (also in OP)

The current plan is to have the wedding fairly early, before everyone really starts getting good'n'going around us, do a simple catered brunch-type thing, and then open the tailgate up with barbecue/ChickFilA/tailgate snacks/etc. to our friends who will be in the area. I want to do this, because it would be great to see everyone, and a lot of our friends who have graduated will be in town for the game or for tailgating or what have you. But I am afraid that it will come off as a tiered reception the more I think about it. Obviously this all depends on the game time, and we may have to drop back and punt by the time we figure that part out.

Thoughts?

WinstonsGirl

Wow, I'm late to this, and I have no answer to your question.  I just wanted to say that I like Oregon just cos they call themselves Ducks.  What a random thing to call a team.  I know nothing else about American Universities.  

hellosweetie1015

I think they're unique in that, haha. I've never heard of another.

doeydo

I had to Google tailgating.  So you basically eat in/around your car in a parking lot outside of a stadium?  And you are talking football, right?