Elope?

[silver]

Indy! You can't be talking about this until Silver and I have given our approval!

But, we had a HUGE wedding with all the pre-wedding family drama of the busy body aunts butting in. 30 minutes of music followed by a 10 minute procession, followed by an 8 minute ceremony, followed by a 3 hour exhausting reception.

Don't do it! Keep it small and simple...focus on the commitment and the celebration, not the event!

Put the money and planning into a biking honeymoon in Tuscany instead!

I completely agree with what my spouse said! Especially the biking honeymoon in Tuscany part!

[Crankin]

I think I was the only one who said she would have done the wedding differently! That sounds kind of negative, but really, I think is a reflection of the fact that at age 26, I was not strong enough to say "no" to my in laws and their demands to invite people who meant nothing to us. If there had been 50 people at the wedding, it would not have been a big deal, but with only 20, it was. I didn't want a "huge" wedding, but one that reflected us a little more.
On this topic, what do you all think of, or really does anyone here have experience with weddings where the groom's parents are in control, let's say for financial or other reasons?

[Biciclista]

No, Crankin, not so. A number of us implied that the COUPLE should not cave to other people's expectations, because it's their day.

I chose to remember and recount the parts of my wedding that I liked, but I too have regrets, and most of it is about letting other people's egos get involved with your wedding. That's the beauty of elopement.

[indysteel]

Thanks for everyone's input and well wishes. I think we'll figure it out; I was just sort of overwhelmed yesterday with options. Who knew not having a traditional wedding could be so complicated. I'm feeling better about it today.

Thankfully, we're totally comfortable with the idea of eloping. I don't think either of us has given serious consideration to having a traditonal wedding--big or small. I'm totally relieved that BF's family (he's close to his parents, unlike me) don't object to an elopement. Things would be sticky if they did. My parents long ago gave me the blessing to elope, which is surprising given some of their statements about my siblings' non-Catholic weddings. So, it really is just up to us, which is nice.

I'll keep you posted!

[Trek420]

I completely agree with what my spouse said! Especially the biking honeymoon in Tuscany part!

Tuscany? Tuscany?? Marry in San Francisco (or Carmel, or Monterey or ....) then take the biking honeymoon in the Sonoma County wine county.

It's every bit as beautiful. Our Sonoma and Mendocino coastline rivals the Amalfi coast.

Do it for you, do it for the US economy