aaaah! Ladies! Thank you! I knew I could count on you to make me feel better about all this and come up with nice, simple, refreshing ideas!! It's great to hear that some people at least share my uneasiness with all the rigid (and expensive) traditions surrounding what should be just a wonderful celebration of love and commitment.
We - or rather I - have decided that the event would be catered because we all enjoy good food. The venue is an unpretentious golf club which will be decorated already. It's more expensive because we need to buy all the food and all the booze from them, but this is probably the price for having less time to invest ourselves. A potluck would have been something GREAT if half the guests were not flying in from other cities and staying in cramped houses or hotel rooms for the days around the wedding. Another thing is that neither of us has lots of time so finding a decent venue that's decorated and provides sound equipment etc. is a great relief! I'd love to have the reception outside, but even in August this is risky in Vancouver... I'm already worried about having the ceremony outside!! (Which will be outside our residential college by the ocean at UBC, for those who know the area!).
But Dear Fiancé and I had another conversation last night and I think we made progress. He's just as shocked as I am by the industrial feel of it all and also wants to have things our way. With your ideas and ours I think we'll make something fun happen!
We want to go from the ceremony to the reception venue (about 2-3 km) on our bikes and attach cans at the back! No transportation fees (but about 20 dollars to decorate the bikes!) Music will also be a DIY affair. I'm hoping to find a musician friend for the ceremony itself, though. Photographs? We'll see what happens.
big hug to all you ladies! you really lifted my spirits there!