We eloped to the courthouse- it was necessary for our sanity's sake at the time- I dont regret that! But we never had a family party. I regret that. We've been married going on 14 years and other than the two of us, no member of my family has ever even met any member of my husband's family. Everyone lives far apart, but a ceremony would have at least made that interaction possible. Maybe someday, or maybe its really for the best!

Well maybe that's the key!? All the best!

Geo and I got married in my parent's backyard. There were some family and friends. More to the point, it was shorts and blue jeans. The "groomsmen" had on baseball hats that said "groomsmen" (my dad had two: "Father of the Bride" and "Best Man." He insisted on taking center stage to switch the hats.) and the girls had on matching canvas shoes that had beads and ribbon roses all over them. That was our matching stuff.

We got married under a canopy (tho we're not jewish) and had a big barbeque afterwards. Then we had a public picnic to celebrate. It was just as I wanted it.

On another note, the preacher who married us didn't show up on time...he was about an hour late. My dad was so desperate to get rid of me that he was on the street corner, stopping people in cars, asking them if they were ordained. Some of them were dressed fancy, but I think they were pimps and not pastors.

She just goes by her craft name in all Pagan affairs (well, except that it isn't her legal name, so our coven's non-profit status registration is in her real name, and since she is a Board member of the 501 c-3 which we work with in producing our Pagan festival, she's also listed on our incorporation documents by her real name).

She's just our High Priestess...she's never really used Reverend or Lady or the like. Personal choice on her part, is all. Sometimes I think she'd like to call herself Lady Selene, but then she decides it might make her look pretentious, and pretentious is something we just aren't...we're just plain folks, not all that terribly far removed from the trailer park save for our educations. :rolleyes:

I have to say congrats. That sounds wonderful. My man and I - we will get married eventually too. But right now buying a house is more important to us. We have also decided (when it actually happens) to go to Vegas - do the Vegas wedding thing with us, his best friend & wife, my best friend & hubby and have a blast. Then come home and have a huge party for the wedding. Neither of us are really into the whole ceramony - we are just in it for us and lots of fun with each other.

Bwahahahaha. I love it. :D

daniwong, that is almost verbatim what me and my wife did, including the small-ceremony-in-Vegas part, and it was perfect. Highly recommended approach. Just make sure your future spouse's father remembers his pants (long story).

I can imagine. My best friend & her hubby got married in a church and I was the maid of honor/coordinator of the wedding. Wedding and reception was a sinch - but that was due to her hubby and his legion of aunties. However, during the reception - his dad's band was playing and her dad - who is a professional jazz musician - got up and played. Apparently he loosened his pants to help with breathing and such. Forgot to tighten them up. Couples first slow dance. Dad walks across dance floor. Pants fall. Much laughing ensues.

After coordinating and helping with so many weddings - I don't want the fan faire, I don't want the hype. I want it to be fun and not too much work. My parents might come with us to Vegas - which would be fine. My parents are fun drunks....