need help for outdoor wedding

Re: need help for outdoor wedding

• graysquirrel member

  

  January 2012

  Hello! Don't worry, this is a great place to learn and everyone on the MN board is really nice! I also suggest that you post on your club board (June 2012)-- it will be full of women getting married at the same time as you and going through the same stuff.
  
  I'm not really sure what you are asking for, but I will go over some very basic American wedding traditions and hope it helps!
  
  For an American wedding you will need someone to perform the ceremony that is approved to do so by the state-- this is usually a religious leader or judge. They will file some of the necessary paperwork after the wedding. You will also need to get a marriage license in the state you are getting married in. You and your FI go to the license office and sign the papers together. Bring them to the wedding and the person performing the ceremony will go over them with you and sign them. You will also need two witnesses to sign the paper to make it all legal. These people are often the maid of honor and best man, though it can be any 2 people who see you get married.
  
  Whoever you pick to perform your wedding can help you decide what to do during your ceremony. There are many mini ceremonies people do within it-- they light candles, pour sand, put a bottle of wine into a box, etc. They are all optional. Most couples exchange rings during the ceremony.
  
  After your ceremony you need to have some kind of reception. Guests should be given something to eat and drink. What you serve is up to you. It can be as simple as cake and punch or as elaborate as a multiple course dinner with lots of alcohol. It is good to have some music playing during this time, whether you plug in a CD player or use your ipod, or hire a band or DJ-- it is up to you. Many American receptions include dancing.
  
  That's the basics. Anything else is really extra, but most people will hire a photographer, have bouquets and boutioneers/corsages made for the WP and parents. You can give your guests favors if you wish.
  
  
  
  

  

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• tpender13 member

  

  January 2012

  Ditto PP (previous post) who had a lot of good tips. Also - welcome, and congrats on your engagement!
  
  If you're having the wedding at your FI's parents house, will you be having the reception there as well? If you're not having too many guests to fit comfortably at the house, a casual backyard BBQ type reception can be a lot of fun. Planning something casual might be nice since you'll be planning two different weddings. You can have music playing in the background, have outdoor lawn games, maybe a bonfire and smores. What country are you from? I ask because it would be nice to incorporate some foods/tradtions from your country, especially if it's a culture that many  of your guests aren't familiar with.
  
  You could also go a bit more formal, say by renting a tent and tables to set up at your FIL's, and going with a formal plated dinner, and setting up a dance floor with a DJ and lights or a full band. Or you could hold the ceremony at the house and have the reception somewhere else that would already have a lot of those things set up.
  
  Feel free to ask us lots of questions -- the ladies here are great and were very helpful when I was planning my own wedding.
  
  

  

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