What are you NOT having? ~ Simple Wedding updated with flashes

@Chaffinch Don't get me wrong - I'm cacking myself over it - especially the whole dress thing (don't really do dresses!!) Also ordered my dress back in June, so am currently waiting for it to come in and am dreading it - am doubting what I've picked, what it will look like, what I will look like, etc, etc!!! Plus hair and make-up (which I rarely ever wear).... Just haven't quite found my inner girly-show-off yet!!!

Also not having favours - have got some striped candy type bags, with some personalised sticky labels (our initials and the date) so people can take a slice a cake if they'd like - if they count?!

Some things that we will be doing without

Speeches - except the best man if he particularly wants to do a short and sweet one. My fiance and me are both quite reserved, quiet people and formal ceremonies and speeches always make me bored and uncomfortable at other people's weddings etc. so I don't want to put my guests through the same, just let them eat and get on with the partying bit, which is what they'll want!

Traditional cake/cake cutting - a friend is making us a nice simple cake which she will decorate. Probably won't bother with the whole cake cutting thing.

Bridesmaids dresses - I am only having 3 bridesmaids, my little sister and 2 best friends. We aren't paying for bridesmaids dresses, instead just letting them wear a nice dress that they like, of their own choosing that they can wear again in future. Except for my little sis, my mum will choose her dress probably!

Wedding car - we are staying for 2 nights at our venue, which is only about 1 minute drive from our house anyway. We will probably be in the same room too. Can't imagine being separated the night before the biggest day of our lives.

"Wedding breakfast" - we won't be having a sit down meal after our ceremony, something small and quick and cheerful with a drink to tide people over until the evening.

First dance - while we have a song chosen, my fiance LOATHES dancing. I have never danced with him in the 5 years we've been together, or ever seen him dance. It would be his worst nightmare to slowly dance in a room full of people staring at us. I'm more inclined to do it, and it's not like we have to have a whole routine planned, just sway around a bit to some nice music!? But if we can get other couples up dancing with us at the same time I think it would make him happier. There might have to be a first dance conspiracy in place

Gift list - I don't want to tell people what we'd like as a wedding present, while it's traditional I find it a bit vulgar :-s If people especially want to give us gifts, great! If not, that's fine too, and they can choose whatever they like to give us.

Traditional flower arrangements - I'm growing my own spring flowers, I will probably have a very non-fancy bridal bouquet which looks like I just traipsed down the garden and picked a load of daffodils that morning. No "fancy" arrangements on the tables, just flowers in jars.

Weddingy things we will have: dress, photographer, reception, invitations (hopefully have music provided by a friend's band) but it will hopefully, be informal and just quaint and fun. Ginormous extravagant weddings make me feel a bit overwhelmed and horrified!

Me again. 3 weeks to go. There are a few more things being done.

As I am having my afternoon tea at a horse charity venue I have bought a gift from their shop for everyone. This is a nice way of giving more money to the charity!

I have made a CD of songs that me and him like and giving to each guest also

In an Avengers party bag

Already put my dress(es) in another thread, but here they are again.

Shoes as above.

I have some black flowery patterned tights, the cat shoes, and a black lace shrug. either a black or gold ribbon sash

Venue for Afternoon Tea

Drinks. I have an apple flavour, and white grape and peach

Afternoon Tea:

Mini Cornish Pasties

Spinach & Feta filo tarts

Sausage rolls

veggie sausage rolls

goats cheese, red onion and thyme muffins

smoked salmon cream cheese bagels

cheese sandwich

ham sandwich

butternut squash goats cheese bagels

selection of mini cakes:

lemon cupcakes

chocolate brownies

victoria sponge

scones with jam and clotted cream

carrot cake.

I think the foods going to be good - the caterers have been my biggest expense by far!

My niece is nearly 12 very girly and 'into' girls things, so I have asked her to stay with me the night before, will go and get make up and hair done (just hair for her) in the morning and she can be 'best girl'!

This is dress i have bought for her

and these shoes to tie in with my cat theme shoes

Venue, dresses, shoes, food all sound lovely. Venue is really stunning. It's going to be a gorgeous day.

Thank you Jayne, you are stalwart of these forums x

How are you enjoying married life?

Oh, I have also bought some top trumps for the afternoon tea, not sure if people will play with them, but they are themed on things we like, so animals, Sherlock, Big Bang Theory, Roald Dahl, Top Gear

And I have animal shapes, pirate confetti and skull confetti to scatter on the tables I can't link image for some reason

ive done loads of things really, considering I was aiming for plain and simple. It's easy to get carried away

It sounds lovely, love the venue and your shoes!

Has your other dress arrived yet? xx

Married life is no different to how it was before! Just picked him up from the airport. Not seen him for about three weeks. Lol. (Needn't think he's having my floating pool chair).

Dress not here yet. Plus I can't stop eating, so that's not helping!

Hair and makeup ( and a little bit of Photoshop)

I ordered mine today, need to loose 2 inches off my waist.....

Shall we duct tape our mouths?

I have got the slightly larger dress and it's too small,but only just, maybe I can get into it if I work very hard for the next couple of weeks.

At least you have time... Don't leave it too late like me!

I think we're the same age, if your username is anything to go by

No I don't think it's age, but if you're an introverted person it's hard to deal with the idea of being the centre of attention

Oh my god! You don't know how relieved I am to read this. I'm basically doing EXACTLY the same as you except I'll be having a wedding ring and we are just going out with our witnesses afterward rather than a big meal with lots of people. We'll look at doing something with the rest of our family and friends later in the year when we have more money.

oh no - do you follow any diets? I'm on Slimming World and if I stick to it I do really well, 2-3lbs a week, and I have kept it off. Lost a stone in total, but now I can't get my head in the game an keep eating the wrong stuff again.

No I don't follow any diet as such, I work out a lot and try to keep high protein. I just have terrible binging

These are where iam getting the guests giftys from https://helping-the-trust.horsetrust.org.uk/gifts/

I also want to see planning therads/ photos from the rest of yyou AntiBrides!