weddings involving small children

[sjp]

I must admit I am not the bride, but I've been enlisted by my sister to help plan her second wedding. She wants something casual, inexpensive and something that may include their 1 yr old daughter. This is especially important since she was never supposed to have children and the baby is the bond that has secured the relationship. I was thinking that the invitations could read something like "Cortnee requests your presents at her parents wedding..." Any ideas from anyone would be great! Thanks:bbeek:

[Kacie_bride]

The idea for the invitations is really cute. By the way, it does not matter that you are not the bride. There are several people on this board who are already married and just like to help out. Welcome! When is the wedding? Or I guess I should ask, how old will Cortnee be by the time the wedding comes along? If it is soon maybe she could still be a flower girl, but someone carries her down the aisle. Or maybe she could walk down the aisle holding her parents hands.

[Jenn060306]

Hi Welcome to the board!
There are lots of ways to do an inexpensive casual wedding. Some girls are hosting the reception at their homes or having a later reception and serving on cocktails, some are having pot-lucks, and some have been fortunet to find really good deals on catering and reception locations.
A way to cut costs is to do things yourself. You could help your sister create her own invitations etc. I love the idea of having their child invite everyone to her parents weddding. Very cute.
Good Luck to you and your sister!

[sjp]

I didnt expect a reply so quickly so thank you for that. Cortnee turned a year old in Oct and her father wants to be married in April but he has never been married before and even if they keep it really simple it still takes time-marriage licenses, etc. Ive been kind of pushing for maybe early summer. My sister doesnt really care when as long as they can keep the cost down. I suggested a grange somewhere but if the weathers nice we could do it outside.
My son in law is a photographer so hes offered to do pictures as a wedding gift. Thats a major expense. And I suggested a potluck reception.
I also suggested balloons and a couple spools of ribbon or tulle for decorations. That cant be too expensive.
I know when my daughter got married 3 years ago we found everything we needed on line and made everything ourselves. Now I cant seem to find anything. Do any of you know where a good site is for vow ideas or invitations-anything like that?
Thanks for your help.

[rainbowtreat]

sjp, welcome and take a look at my journal ( Gwen & Nihcolas ) I am including my kids names in the invites. I will try to find the site I found these on and post it later.

[officiant-fica]

I must admit I am not the bride, but I've been enlisted by my sister to help plan her second wedding. She wants something casual, inexpensive and something that may include their 1 yr old daughter. This is especially important since she was never supposed to have children and the baby is the bond that has secured the relationship. I was thinking that the invitations could read something like "Cortnee requests your presents at her parents wedding..." Any ideas from anyone would be great! Thanks:bbeek:
We had out daughter included inour wedding invites. Here is what we wrote
Audrey Middle Last
&
Joseph Middle Last
Together with thier daughter
Madelynn Middle Last
Invite you to share with them
A celebration of love.
Their Marriage ceremony will take place
Date
Time
Location

[sjp]

I like that! Thanks

[divinemsemm]

How about a picture of baby with an adorable happy face saying

MOMMY AND DADDY ARE GETTING MARRIED
I'm so excited I'm planning a great wedding and you're invited!

something adorable like that would be just precious and original.

good luck!

[Kacie_bride]

Oh I love that!

[CarlosHoney]

My FH's cousin got married a little over a year ago, and their little girl was a year old. The FOB & FOG helped her walk down, and boy, was she cute! ;)

What is the budget that you're working with? I got a good deal on our reception venue. It's a country club. We're spending $650 and that includes tables, chairs, setup, teardown, cleanup, and the ceremony setup outside on the patio. We were going to spend $500 for a wedding on the golf course and a small reception in a meeting room.. Not bad at all.

We're doing little over half the food ourselves, then getting some catered.

If you can give us specifics, we can help more. Welcome to the board! :bbmrgreen:

[sjp]

The specifics...thats a tough one. I think my sister is still maybe going through some post partum? stuff and she doesnt want to deal with one more thing. The wedding may be any time between April and July. They think the main color will be blue and we are doing a potluck reception. I told her Id do a ham, pasta salad and some stuffed mushrooms. I thought that might be a good base for a potluck. The wedding itself depends on when as far as inside or out-thats something FH will have to decide on. Decorations will be very simple, like balloons and tulle or streamers. I found a really simple bouquet of lily of the valley and a single orchid. Then we could just put small vases on the table with nothing more than lily of the valley and match. Also do nothing more than that for grooms boutineire and Cortnees flowers-just add a bow or something. I told hers she could probably pull it off for a few hundred dollars if we do it right. The extras I plan on paying for...
By the way, anybody know anything about these sites that ordain you to do marriage ceremonies? Sis liked the idea of having someone she knows do the ceremony and would also save her money...
Thanks again to all who have helped!!!