I love reading everyone's stories, and especially those of you who have had less-traditional ceremonies!

We just got engaged (together for four years, lived together for 3+, decided to get married a year or so ago, went ring shopping in Sept, so this wasn't a complete surprise, although I hadn't actually seen the ring) and I/we would really rather have a party, probably with a quick ceremony by a friend, but I have a feeling the parents may not be so happy with that decision. We're not going into debt for anything, and if they offer to pay for xxx, I've yet to decide if it'd be bad taste to suggest that they gift that to us as help for a downpayment on a house down the road-- it just seems kind of frivolous to spend so much on one day (for us, I've been to some amazing weddings and not judging anyone who goes that route, just not our style). Then there's the question of where it happens, we're from opposite sides of the country (Florida/NW, with assorted infirm-ish relatives in each place), most of our friends are in the SW, and we live in the NE.... fun!

So, yeah, I see the merits of the lunchtime post office routine