New to all this, unusual wedding advice needed! (Long, sorry!)

Duskkodesh

So I'm new here, just got engaged this past couple of weeks and we're already having some issues due to some weirdness. XD

First, we're getting legally married on Dec 3rd. I say legally as really we're just getting the paper and having it signed. We kinda want it pushed through before taxes this year as we'd save some cash. XD Don't get me wrong, I love the man but it makes an excellent reason to speed it through.

The ACTUAL wedding will be a big party this summer with my family (Xenia) and his family (Cleveland) travelling in. The time is negotiable based on what we can get and when. We have no venue, we're looking for somewhere like a nice public park that can seat 80 or so guests, it should have a nice big grill as we're just cooking out for everyone and it'd be an extra bonus if it was cheap or allowed alcohol.

I'm making the invites and thank you cards as I'm an artist and I'm going to try to make the decor myself. The whole thing will have a dinosaur theme as that's what I've wanted ever since I was little and he's willing to go along with it. XD I also need to find someone who can alter a ring for me in a put-this-charm-on-a-simple-band-to-make-it-a-ring kind of way. Most jewelers I find don't actually do any metalsmithing anymore.

I'm getting really overwhelmed really fast with everything that has to be done so if anyone has any tips on venue/out of town guests/budget ideas/themed items I would love you forever for sharing! I'm not the type to ever have gone on sites like this or opened a bridal magazine. XD

mahoganieyes

Congratulations and Welcome!

jollygreen

Hi!

You're looking for a venue in Cincinnati, right?  Just want to be clear.

If all your guests are coming in from out of town, it might be a good idea to find a venue that is located near a hotel so that transportation to and fro gets simplified. 

Disregarding that advice, you might want to check out the Heritage Center in Anderson Township.  I don't think it could accommodate 80 people inside (I've been in there with 50 people and it was comfortable), but they have outdoor areas where that would be possible.  You can bring in booze and food and it's cheap.

I know Paolo in the gaslight does one of a kind pieces...I'm not sure how they operate though.

hccpsu

Just a piece of advice if you post on other boards on The Knot... technically, your "real wedding" IS December 3rd--you only get one wedding (or so you'll be told, if a not-so-nice way!).  You can have a vow renewal or reception later, but you'll have already had your wedding.  We did something similar--had a DW wedding and then a reception later, and I think that is a much less stressful way to do it.

Have you tried the Hamilton County Parks?  They have several different options for rentals.

decobelle

Here is a link from another board on a dinosaur themed wedding:

http://bridesupnorth.com/2010/11/17/rock-and-roar-a-real-wedding-christina-chris/

Wild!

belle19dV

Also, be advised that if you have your wedding in a Hamilton County park without booking their facilities, you canNOT bring alcohol...alcohol is prohibited in the parks.  The caterers they make you hire (you can only use the caterers that are contracted w/ the Hamilton County Park Board) have liquor licenses so that's how they get around that law (aren't loopholes convenient when it suits them?). 

What fun to be able to celebrate your wedding anniversary twice!  Will your family and guests know the arrangement?  My officiant tells me she's done many such "under the table" ceremonies so it's not that unusual.  Have fun - at both!

Amisslis

We are getting married at the Maple Ridge Lodge at Mt. Airy Forest. (The have a sister lodge called Oak Ridge). You can bring in alcohol and self-cater (otherwise you have to use one of their approved caterers). They are both indoor/outdoor facilities.

www.parkweddings.com

thatg33kgirl

*hugs* congrats on the upcoming wedding, as someone who just got engaged a few days ago and is planning a wedding asap, I know how you feel, its totally overwhelming!

So far what has helped me is a small network of friends on facebook who have recently got married offerinng tips and advice (none from Cinci tho! bummer!) as well as reading lots of books. I also bought a wedding planner binder, because even though we are having a small wedding, I really like to keep organized so I don't forget anything! Also, I've ordered a ton of books from amazon and picked up some from my local library- and in the meantime I've been scouring this site and the internet!!!

Hope it all goes well and keep us updated!

decobelle

Keep in mind that just as Belle said, at Hamilton Co parks, you must use their recommended caterer(s) to obtain your liquor. However at Cincinnati Parks, such as Mt. Airy Forest, you can bring in your own alcohol.



Just be aware that some parks are governed by Hamilton County, and a few by Cincinnati, each with different rules.

Duskkodesh

Thanks you guys! All the advice is great I'm going to be looking up these locales tonight and doing some comparisons.

Especially thanks for the support on the unusual arrangement. I know it's the "real" wedding on the 3rd, but to me it's just paperwork. The party is what I genuinely need help with. Cinci would be okay, Dayton would be preferable but stuff around here is so limited (We're living in Kettering right now) so we're more than willing to drive out of town. 

That link above was awesome! and I can probably do dinosaur gummis as favors (I hadn't though of it before! ) Thanks so much again! I'll put up another post as soon as I look up all the venues you've suggested

Duskkodesh

Well I looked up the parks sites but everything is just a tad too far to drive. :C I've already scratched John Bryan state park off my list (no alcohol and I'm Irish so it's needed), so does anyone know of anything closer to Dayton? 

tasharocks

i don't have any location suggestions, just wanted to say please be honest with your guests to avoid hurt feelings if/when they find out later on that you were legally married before the "wedding" (it's actually a vow renewal) they're invited to

Duskkodesh

I have no idea how it would hurt anyone's feelings Me and the fiancée have been living together for more than three years now, the marriage to me changes nothing, especially the paper. We aren't religious in any sense of the word and the only tradition we adhere to is the alcohol being a necessity. XD  From what I understand a ton of people do it this way but just in case I made sure to inform my parents and his mother. Great thing is that they didn't seem to mind. My mom actually commended me for my thriftiness. XD She's like that. 

hccpsu

Peopel would be hurt if you weren't honest that it's a reception or vow renewal because you'd be lying to them.  It's fine to do what you're planning, just don't hide the fact from anyone that you're already married, that's all.  Be honest and there won't be any problems.  If you pretend you aren't married and people found out later you had been married since December, they'll feel used and angry.  You can check out threads on the Etiquette board regarding this topic.

tasharocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cincinnati_new-this-unusual-wedding-advice-needed-long-sorry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:108Discussion:cc6c361e-70d0-4a8d-835b-53087345eef4Post:7bf6b043-a6e2-43c9-a837-bf9c6bf57b1d">Re: New to all this, unusual wedding advice needed! (Long, sorry!)</a>:
[QUOTE]Peopel would be hurt if you weren't honest that it's a reception or vow renewal because you'd be lying to them.  It's fine to do what you're planning, just don't hide the fact from anyone that you're already married, that's all.  Be honest and there won't be any problems. <strong> If you pretend you aren't married and people found out later you had been married since December, they'll feel used and angry. </strong> You can check out threads on the Etiquette board regarding this topic.
Posted by hccpsu[/QUOTE]
this.

if you get married legally, then you're married. it's in the books. done. if you want to have a more elaborate ceremony later, that's your choice. but friends, family, and other guests could feel hurt if you don't tell them the truth. you shouldn't lie to people you care about.

if you go along with a bridal shower, bachelorette party and all that jazz pretending you aren't already married, people can get upset when they find out you were in fact married all along. knowing that you're already married might (read: might, not always) change whether people participate in those "pre-wedding" activities, buy a new outfit for your event, or even attend the vow renewal. that should be their choice to make.

parker624

what does XD mean?

tasharocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cincinnati_new-this-unusual-wedding-advice-needed-long-sorry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:108Discussion:cc6c361e-70d0-4a8d-835b-53087345eef4Post:86bab68e-54af-483a-b31d-090b04624e38">Re: New to all this, unusual wedding advice needed! (Long, sorry!)</a>:
[QUOTE]what does XD mean?
Posted by parker624[/QUOTE]
i think its a variation of smiley face

Duskkodesh

I'm not doing a shower/ bachlorette party anyway (I don't even know what a bridal shower is supposed to be for). And in my family tradition the paper is just paper, you aren't really married until your family is there. I'm not even asking for gifts as I never really supported that whole tradition anyway. As for etiquette it'd be rude of me to ignore the traditions or folkways of my family.

Every family is different, what's common for some may be offensive for others. Still if this bugs all of you I'll get my advice elsewhere. No offense given or taken.

BTW: XD is a laughing smiley

tasharocks

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_ohio-cincinnati_new-this-unusual-wedding-advice-needed-long-sorry?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:108Discussion:cc6c361e-70d0-4a8d-835b-53087345eef4Post:60a82914-14fc-4eea-9ed2-902e454c0010">Re: New to all this, unusual wedding advice needed! (Long, sorry!)</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not doing a shower/ bachlorette party anyway (I don't even know what a bridal shower is supposed to be for). And in my family tradition the paper is just paper, you aren't really married until your family is there. I'm not even asking for gifts as I never really supported that whole tradition anyway. As for etiquette it'd be rude of me to ignore the traditions or folkways of my family. Every family is different, what's common for some may be offensive for others. <strong>Still if this bugs all of you I'll get my advice elsewhere.</strong> No offense given or taken. :) BTW: XD is a laughing smiley
Posted by Duskkodesh[/QUOTE]
i'm not trying to run you off. i was just giving a friendly warning as i've read about other people's experiences that were similar to yours.

kari829

I'm from Xenia too, I don't have any venue suggestions as we are being married in a church and reception will be at The Eagles. lol