The worst is over now and we can breathe again.

[chestnutcurls]

Happy birthday, Sara! Y feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Kathy's masters thesis is finished! She's turning it in this afternoon. I'm so proud of her, and so glad that she gets to return to the land of the living now. God is faithful!

For today's lunch I went to Wendy's for the Brenda Combo- chicken nuggets, a side salad, and a medium drink. It's a tasty and well-rounded meal for $3.25. I used to go there weekly, but haven't in a long time since I'm trying to save money. When I pulled around, the familiar drive-in lady recognized me and asked where I've been! That was funny and nice.

Have you heard that new song, "Broken" with Seether and Amy Lee? I like it. I really wonder if Evanescence is going to break up now that Ben Moody (the guitarist) is gone. That would be a shame. By the way, I realize that my journal has degenerated to an advertisement for various restaurants, musicians, and media. Sorry. I don't know why I'm especially shallow lately.

I've been wondering about some technical aspects of weddings and receptions, so I think I'll do a poll. Please answer only if you are or have been married, or answer what you plan to do if you're engaged. I'm curious. I'll include a "want to see results" option so everyone can learn. :)

[Poll #289196]

Comments

[kiwiria.livejournal.com]

I just want to make clear that at our wedding we had both a reception and a wedding party. However, from the questions I could see that they mostly refered to what I would call the party, rather than the reception.

We had the reception at the church where everybody could come. Very informal, nothing was planned, other than for them to get to talk to us (very self-centered, I know *g*). Afterwards family and close friends went to a restaurent for the wedding party - so that's how I replied in the poll.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

That's a neat idea! :)

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Fun poll! I'd like to add another question if anyone sees my comment:

Is there anything you regret/would change about your wedding and how would you do it differently?

[raysofhope.livejournal.com]

Clarifications--

I had two receptions. 1 immedietely afterwards for everyone with just finger foods, cake, and punch. Then I had a later one that night at a hotel--nicer buffet style--for just family and close friends.

And I would do things differently. I would be less stressed about everything in general, choose different bridesmaids, and remember to put on my veil *before* everyone saw me, haha!

[krikketgirl.livejournal.com]

I would have liked to have a bit more lively reception. But then, we weren't really dealing with lively people, so there was little chance of that! Also, I would have liked for Chris's grandparents to be able to attend. His extended family could not make the trip out for the wedding. But his mom threw a huge second reception party in their house the following weekend.

[carries.livejournal.com]

I loved my wedding day, everything about it was perfect. The only thing I would change is what I said in my speech.

[krikketgirl.livejournal.com]

Our wedding was in the hall that our church rented, so not a typical "church." As it happens, it was the Knights of Columbus Hall in Green River, Wy.

And my mom made all of the reception food, so none of the options seemed to apply!

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Wow, I didn't realize Lawson was getting married and already had plans laid out for the wedding and reception!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

LOL! I guess he's been too nervous to tell us who the mystery bride is. Or he just didn't read the instructions. :P

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

That's okay! You weren't the only one. :P :)

[radiojedi.livejournal.com]

We were going to have it at the church I grew up in and even booked it, but later on felt that since I had no ties to it anymore, it would be best to marry in the place where our friendship and relationship developed. That and my theology changed so much that it was important to marry in a place that had the same views.

Booking everything was fine, but there were planning issues. My mother wanted to control everything and did not want to spend what needed to be spent. She questioned nearly every decision too.

I had some weird things going on with friends at the time, which resulted in some snubbing me and my wedding. Looking back there are a few others I would have invited. I would have done more with my wedding party. And I would have tried to make sure that the things that went wrong with my bridal shower didnt.......

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Sorry you had a hard time! :( I totally understand about the church thing.

[anulyra.livejournal.com]

For reception location I chose other. Maybe this is just a local thing but people here "rent a hall". These places have several rooms of banquet facilities and they also offer catering.

I had dancing at my reception, but if I could do it all over again I would do an early wedding with a garden brunch or something where party/dancing music wouldnn't be expected.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Maybe it is regional...I know they do that in Texas, too. But we don't really have "halls" here.

[dirtbird.livejournal.com]

Since we were flat broke at the time, we served a reception lunch / afternoon tea with plenty of food donated by our respective families, with a dinner for family and close friends afterwards that night at a nice restaurant.

One thing I'd like to have done different at our wedding was to have had a jam with my brothers. Tash, after telling me that she'd be dead on time (and to her credit, the delay was nobody's fault but a bridesmaid's dress suddenly splitting) arrived twenty minutes late and I was wondering where sh'd gotten to. By that time, I'd started to try to entertain the crowd by juggling.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I'm glad you were able to go with the flow. :)

[krikketgirl.livejournal.com]

Quick thinking!! : )

Other (explain)

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

Seems like all my answers were that.
Marriage Location Other - the Hunt Phelan Home. Why? I wanted to get married on 9/9/99. We were going to go to Vegas, too many people griped about it, it was a Thursday nite, nicely accomodated small group, inexpensive.

Reception Other - the Magnolia Room on Overton Square. Why? inexpensive; great catering available; you could bring your own band, booze, etc.; good location, lots of parking. Interesting tidbit - the reception was one month later, 10/9/99 a weekend, so more people including out of town guests could come!

Food Other - it was a buffet, but I don't know if it would necessarily be called dinner although there was plenty of food!

The dancing question confused me at first, but then I remembered the Baptists (and maybe others?) don't publicly advocate dancing, so I guess that's why that was a choice?

My two cents - I know we've all probably been to receptions that were "pot luck" and held in a gymnasium or something, but if you shop around there really are some inexpensive locations and caterers out there! And so much less stress is involved by letting someone else do it! Save money elsewhere - ie, I bought my dress "off the rack" quite inexpensively! And watch out for wedding "planners". My hubby's brother used some company that arranged everything and at the end of the reception, the mothers were left cleaning EVERYTHING up and packing away all the decor, food, etc. Me & hubby stayed to help (like we would've left 2 older ladies to do all the labor) and cleaning, scrubbing and packing up in your nice reception clothes is awful!

Re: Other (explain)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Hey, that seems like a nice place to get married. :) Are they closed to the public now? I remember hearing things about it shutting down semi-recently.

Thanks for sharing! :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

It's okay! :)

[angelic-1.livejournal.com]

What would I change - I jokingly told Geoff that I would type "The person I married" but that simply isn't true!
I would change the alteration person I went to prior to the wedding. If I did that I wouldn't have been late - I hate being late!
We bought our bridesmaid dresses at a regular shop, they were on sale and perfect! One of them unfortunately had a problem with the zipper so I took it into a taylor to have the zip replaced. They assured me they had done thins but one the day of my wedding the zip broke right at the place I had told them was the trouble.
I lived 20 minutes out of town and had no cotton in my house at that time (I probably did but ask a frantic bride where the cotton is and you will not get a good answer). My step-father had to drive into town, get some cotton, drive back and then my Aunty had to sew my bridesmaid into her dress. All up it is a miracle I was only 20 minutes late!
Oh and don't bother with that relax stuff you can take. It is supposed to be 4 drops under the tongue to calm you down. I had about 10 times that amount and I was not calm!

[healoneismyrock.livejournal.com]

"What would I change - I jokingly told Geoff that I would type "The person I married" but that simply isn't true!"

LOL! :)

[prncsssevo.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the B-day well wishes!! :-)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I hope you had a great day!

[brittuhknee.livejournal.com]

You aren't being shallow! A lot of people get wrapped up in entertainment.. it happens. ;) <3 Doesn't mean you've lost sight of anything else!! (For the record, I have heard, and do LOVE that 'Broken' song!)

I get the brocolli & cheese baked potato at Wendys .. talk about packing on the CALORIES! Ack! And I'm a sucker for the Frostys, too! I have to stop!!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Ooo, that's good stuff! I always want Frostys when I'm sick.

[mzspearz.livejournal.com]

*does nothing because she read the directions*
Hurray for me! I can read! haha, jk ;D

By the way, I realize that my journal has degenerated to an advertisement for various restaurants, musicians, and media.

ahaha, you're too funny, Brenda! I actually like reading about where you eat & stuff. Maybe it's just cuz I REALLY like food, lol ;D Plus I'm always up for hearing about music & movies & stuff. I don't think I even pay attention to movies...or know anyone that goes to movies besides my LJ friends, so it's nice to hear what you all think :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

:) Well, glad someone enjoys it!

[chocomilkbanana.livejournal.com]

Brenda . . . do you have some news to fill us in on? :)

Yum - Wendy's chicken nuggets. I think I now know where I am going for lunch! Although I have nothing to take to read.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Sadly, no, I have no news. I'm just investigating for the future. :)