[QUOTE=honeychile;1912430
I can be very strict about wild children. My favorite method is to put a hand on each shoulder and to tell the wayward child to "quit embarrassing your family and go sit down." It's never failed - although parents usually shoot me a few nasty looks.[/QUOTE]

I don't think I would have a problem if you did this to my kids- sometimes a gentle repremand from someone they don't know very well goes much farther than me giving them a much more stern repremand. Then again, I don't take the kids places where they can get too out of control. Of the few weddings I have taken the kids to, we don't stay too long at the reception. (Honey, if you are ever in Indy, feel free to stop by and get my kids under control :))



That is what we did- we paid for our wedding ourselves, so we had a wedding on a very tight budget. My entire wedding cost less than most of the dresses on Say Yes to the Dress. But everyone I talked to after said they had fun, so that was what mattered!

Well, no one's going to tell you to your face that your wedding sucked. ;)

What mattered was that you and your husband had a blast without going into hock.

True!

We had a blast, and still could afford a down payment on a house!

bump!
 

Fiance is going to be a groomsman for his best friend's wedding in a few weeks. Is there a certain amount that we should aim to spend for their wedding present? Is it better to get two things, or one larger item?

It's truly not the amount spent - if they are registered, take your cue from the registry. Pick an amount which works with your budget and try and get them something they will truly enjoy. It might be a place setting of their flatware (several things) or just one thing - a serving piece in their china pattern. If they aren't registered, I am a big fan of a Penzey's Deluxe Spicy Wedding - I always get a good response http://www.penzeys.com/scstore/giftb...cyWedding.html
or if you are more flush - http://www.penzeys.com/scstore/giftb...dingCrate.html

I'm going to a friend's wedding in Michigan at the end of the month.

I bought an inexpensive gift from the registry due to the cost of traveling.

^^ They do have a registry, but there's no china or flatware on it. They just moved into a house (but they previously lived together), so everything on their registry are things that they need. It doesn't help when fiance isn't telling me what he thinks our budget for this should be :rolleyes:

Thanks for the help, ladies!

I'll bet if you shoot a number at him that's too high, he'll suddenly know what the budget should be!

FTW!

i have been to many wedding where there is no registry. guests will usually give cash and drop off an envelope in a box ranging from $20 to $1,000 depending on how close they are too you or the family.

Are there items on the registry that you could group together under a theme? Something such as breakfast in bed, movie time, out and about, pictures of us, etc., or a favorite song title, can be as cheesy as you want (hopefully they have a sense of humor), or not if they don't have one.

I always buy off the register. I love buying people waffle irons, candlesticks, wine glasses, a nice bowl or serving plate...stuff like that. I typically spend $100 on a gift from my husband and me, but as a groomsman who is probably spending money on a tux, bachelor party, etc., $30-$50 gift would be good.

I just saw that I never returned to the thread. They DID send a thank-you note. They actually included a picture of them on the beach with the picnic basket thingy, which I thought was cute. She redeemed herself somewhat with that.

Did it ever become common knowledge that this WASN'T really a wedding?

that's how we did it.