ABC
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Must HavesIdeaNotes
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It's our wedding, so what we say goesWe shouldn't feel in any way pressurised to do something, just because it's ‘tradition’ or ‘the done thing’. This is our party and we'll write our own rules.
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It should be fun and relaxedNo part of the wedding should be nerve-wracking or too serious - if it’s not fun, exciting and something to look forward to we're doing it wrong.
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It should be a reflection of usThe whole day should unapologetically be about us and showing people what we like - everything should look and feel like ‘Hannah & Dean’.
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Want to want everyone who comes to be thereNo hangers on or barely known relatives - just the people we really want to be there.
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There should be fun stuff to doWeddings can be boring - if you don't fancy dancing or getting drunk there’s not a lot more on offer. We should have lots of games and activities for people to enjoy.
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Early June dateTo avoid school/summer holidays, best chance of good weather, long evenings (and hopefully no wasps).
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Outdoors (weather permitting)Has to be an approved location for the ceremony to be legally binding.
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Wedding IdeasIdeaNotes
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Guests
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No gifts requiredNo gifts required from guests. Possibly have a charitable donation or contribute to our honeymoon fund instead?
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Guests to attend all day (no evening only guests)
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Themes
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Rustic, country fayre style
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Timing
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It shouldn't drag on too longMost weddings seem to drag on too long, so it shouldn’t automatically carry on until midnight. How about a nice long summer’s afternoon/evening - from 2pm-11pm?
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Location
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Local would be preferredIt’s not a big deal, but it would be nice to keep it local so that Hannah can stay at home, with guests, on the night before.
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Budget
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The budget has to be sensibleIt’s better to spend money on big items such as venue, dress, activities than spend silly money on little things like invitations or decorations which are things we might be able to do ourselves.
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Ceremony
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Non-religious
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Mum to give Hannah away
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Bride's Clothes
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Simple, floaty design
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Comfortable and easy to wear throughout the day
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Groom's Clothes
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A suit that I can also wear after the wedding
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Matching bow ties for groom and groomsmen
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Wedding Breakfast
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Wedding breakfast in marqueeSides open if sunny.
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No fancy, expensive foodThe objective shouldn’t be to try and impress anyone with posh food - a BBQ style event might be nice?
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Cider for guests rather than wine
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Picnic tables and benchesUse picnic tables and benches with suitable decoration for a rustic and simple alternative to round tables and chairs?
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Lines of tablesArrange tables in long lines to avoid grouping guests
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Have ice cream van instead of pudding
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Lego on tablesPut boxes of random Lego on table for guests to play with?
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Custom favours for guestsWhere possible consider getting a special favour for individuals plus generic ones where necessary?
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Gift packs/colouring books for children
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Have a sweets cart or table
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Activity Ideas
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Treasure hunt for children
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Big screenShowing live photostream, Twitter etc that guests can submit during the day.
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Wedding bingoA prize for the most words crossed off?
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Archery
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Team building gamesMiddle Aston House have the facilities for this.
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Skittles
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Welly wanging
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Crockery smashing
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BoatingMiddle Aston House has a boating lake - would need supervisions though.
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Three-legged race
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Space hopper race
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Egg and spoon race
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Aunt SallyMiddle Aston House have the facilities for this.
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CroquetMiddle Aston House have the facilities for this.
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Giant JengaMiddle Aston House have the facilities for this.
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Origami
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Fussball
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Photobooth
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Racing car game with leaderboardConvert formula student car to play racing game?
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Have prize for winner of races?
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Marquee Decoration
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Light up letters (H & D)Large wooden letters - we could make them ourselves?
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Photo display showing the 'story of us'Hang photos from little pegs?
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Rustic photo frames around marqueeWith pictures of us and the things we love. Possibly have paper and pen attached so people can ‘like’ and ‘comment’ similar to Facebook.
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PianoHave a piano in the marquee.
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Topiary ball plants with paper flowers
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Crepe paper flowers
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/330916/crepe-paper-flower/@center/352451/reception-d%C3%A9cor?czone=flowers/ceremony-decor/see-the-ideas&gallery=312704&slide=330916&center=352448#330199
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Have relaxing area with sofas
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Decoration on the back of the bride and groom's chairsBunting, flower or tassel garlands (http://bridalmusings.com/2011/07/tassel-garland-buy-or-diy/)
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Table Decoration
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Jam jars of flowersDecorate with string/lace/hessian. Could double as wedding favours for guests?
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Herb pot plantsCould double as wedding favours for guests?
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Hessian or burlap table runners
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Personal photo frames on each tableWith pictures of our favourite memories of our guests.
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Music
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Choose all our own musicShould be music we like and not necessarily typical wedding music.
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Pre-mixed music throughout the dayPre-mix music, with varying moods for each stage of the day. Fun, instrumental music whilst eating, light pop music during afternoon, dancier music in the evening.
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Stationery
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Design and make our own invites
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Kraft card style invites
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Ice cream tickets
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Create menu boards for lunch and ice creams