Wind Machine For Skydiving

Better Happily-Wed Than Wallet-Dead: Ideas For Casual Weddings

So you're taking the big plunge. Great! Hang on and save that money you were thinking of blowing on a Grande Affaire and put it into the house or retirement fund instead. Throwing a big party to celebrate your marriage (and really, a wedding is just one day out of what will hopefully be many for you and your soon-to-be spouse; the really important part, the marriage, tends to get lost in the confusion) needn't leave you bleeding red - in fact, money spent purely for show doth not a good marriage make. Ask a friend of mine whose family spent well over ten thousand dollars on his wedding; less than a decade later, said friend and ex-wife split under very acrimonious circumstances.

Having said that, it's okay to want a beautiful and fun day. But there are ways to do it that won't leave you having to mortgage everything down to your drawers, and you'll still have a good time and (hopefully) a fond memory for the future. The key is to think realistically and practically while integrating imagination with your plans. With that in mind, let's examine the key aspects of any wedding:

1. The people. Yeah, I know, grooms just want to get to the open bar and brides just want to get to the dress. But first things first. Start with immediate family, at least the ones you're still on speaking terms with. It's OKAY to not want bad-tempered Uncle Jack or mean-spirited Aunt June around on what should be a pleasant day. Besides, keeping your guest list to a manageable size (ideally, less than a hundred, but if you go a little over that's ok too) helps cut down on cost and potential feuds. Go with friends next, and consider the ones you're truly close to, as opposed to lesser acquaintances you don't have that much contact or closeness with. Feel free to send out announcements of your marriage to all those you know, but it isn't mandatory that you have to invite the entire world - so toss out those worries of offending someone by leaving them off the guest list. (Those who are the type likely to get snooty with you over invitations probably aren't people you really want to be around anyway.

2. The food. Naturally you'll need to feed all these people - what, you think I'm only coming to your party just for the lovey-dovey ceremony? (Just kidding.) You don't have to hire anything fancy; many local restaurants or eateries offer catering packages or finger-foods on the fly. Subway is one such chain that will create custom-order platters and giant sub sandwiches for large gatherings. (For more information, visit http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/index.aspx ) Remember though, that you'll have to plan ahead appropriately for ordering, as most places require either 24-hour advance notice and/or a deposit fee. You can also ask guests to bring a dish to pass around; having a sign-up sheet with designated dishes will reduce the chances of multiple munchies.

Also when planning for food, it's best to plan for potential allergies: so go with something relatively inoffensive. That means no peanut butter or seafood (usually the two biggest offenders). Guests might be bummed by the lack of shrimp cocktails, but it's better to do without than have someone wind up in the hospital - another friend of mine is deathly allergic to seafood, emphasis on the death, if you get my drift!

Booze is another area to be cautious in. A little is fine; kegger truckloads could present a problem if you're watching both the wallet and Uncle Al who likes his martinis just a little too much. Needless to say, store-bought cans or bottles chilled will do just as well as the expensive stuff, and under NO circumstances should any guest be allowed to get sloshed and/or drive under the influence.

And in keeping with the food theme, then there's the piece de resistance: Ye Olde Wedding Cake. Again, local businesses may offer affordable deals that are still pleasing on both artistic and taste fronts (and as always, remember to place your order in timely advance). Or, you can forgo a cake for dessert potluck, up to and including a local delicacy that may be the favorite of your particular area or families. Remember, the point of the wedding is not to impress - it's to have fun! I promise that your guests will enjoy adorably-decorated cupcakes from Grandma just as much as they would a four-tiered professional cake.

3. The setting. Every bride fantasizes about the perfect Hawaiian beach wedding or the huge spring cathedral turnout. Fortunately we have things like hurricanes and surprise blizzards to keep us grounded. No need to let weather rain on your parade, just have a backup location in case Mother Nature decides to bless your union with unexpected showers. Churches are the traditional place for weddings, but you don't need to have an enormous one, or even one at all - many clergy (if you choose a religious route) will gladly officiate elsewhere if requested (for a fee, of course). A friendly simple gathering in your own backyard can make for a very cozy and loving atmosphere; so can a wedding held at a local favorite hangout like a restaurant (also helps with the food!) or some other site that is meaningful in some way to you and your spouse-to-be. There are almost no limits on where you can have your ceremony: some people have even been known to get married in the middle of the forest or while skydiving in mid-air!

4. Now what you've all been waiting for: the clothes! Grooms have it pretty easy; throw a tux on them and they're set. Brides, that 100-foot elaborately-glittered train might look appealing now, but remember you'll be walking in that thing, so you might want to scale back to something that's a little easier to maneuver in. It's no fun trying to dance if you're constantly tripping over your dress or stumbling in shoes that hurt your feet! Always keep comfort first in mind; expense, second. Both men and women may wish to dress in unique personal styles set to whatever theme they have chosen: some couples get married in swimsuits; others do it in scuba gear or Halloween costumes - use your imaginations and your comfort levels to come up with whatever outfits you'd like. A pair of jeans and a nice shirt or dress are perfectly suitable fare for a casual wedding - as long as they're reasonably clean and neat, of course.

5. The decorations. Drag out your Christmas lights and hang 'em high. Or hit up a local party supply store and pick up a bag of colorful streamers. Ask friends and family to surprise you with their (inexpensive) ideas (but be prepared for surprises, all right!). Or go completely decor-free. Most guests will be interested in just the food and the actual ceremony anyway. If you do plant-based dcor, take care with the flowers, as pollen allergies are hardly attractive.

6. Entertainment! Have your teenaged relative and his/her band play a few songs (assuming they're sufficiently talented, of course) - your relative will be thrilled to get his/her first paying 'gig' and showcase some musical chops. Or set up a CD player with a stack of chosen music and have someone be in charge of rotating the songs. There are also local professional musicians to choose from. Most potential for amusement: set up a karaoke machine for your guests and (carefully!) ply them with just a bit of alcohol to loosen up their stage fright. (Please note that I do not endorse or condone reckless use of alcohol and/or alcohol-related behaviors.)

Ideally, weddings should be uniquely-created ceremonies based on the individuals' delights, meant to celebrate the first day of what will hopefully be a long and happy union for two special people. By keeping it simple and relatively inexpensive, anyone can hold a casual wedding whose true glamour is in the enjoyment of this joyous occasion, and whose real beauty is found in the shared love and laughter of good friends and family.