Married for the 2Nd Time

I would have an intimate vow exchange with just the kids and whoever does the ceremony. Take a simple wedding picture with the whole family. Turn that picture into a photo postcard to use as an invitation to a reception. Invite the whole world. Everyone you think will be happy for you and want to celebrate with you. Make it a potluck bbq. Everyone bring a dish. That cuts out so much of the hoopla, but still lets you celebrate with people you love.

Hi B., I am in a blended family so I understand. We live in AZ, my family is in CA and hubbies in ND. So we decided to have a "destination" wedding and we got married in Laughlin NV on a riverboat. There was about 35 people that went and it was a 4 day weekend, we had a GREAT time! If I were you, I would do something in the backyard and invite EVERYONE even tho they aren't local. You know the locals will likely show up. I had a big wedding for my first one and my husband went to the justice of the peace for his so he wanted to see me in a wedding dress as his bride, so sweet! But we wanted to keep it as inexpensive as possible, the whole weekend cost us about $2500 for all 5 of us. Just go online and google "wedding and your city and state" and see what comes up. There's a huge difference in price for things like invites, so just shop around. I hope you find some things that work for you. Congrats and good luck!!!

Congratulations!
Sounds like you don't want a lot of hoopla but I would still make it special because it is a special day.
I would have it in your backyard & invite everyone!
Have it catered (you're saving $ on the venue).
You can decorate the backyard w/lots of sheer white cheap drapes to create a pretty venue, hurricane candles, outdoor hanging candles, white lights, flowers, cheap wood chairs you buy & paint white....all this can be done on the cheap.
Have a friend make your cake.
I bought my invitations on sale at a regular store & printed them on my computer w/fancy font.
Voila, done.
Enjoy & have fun!

Both my husband and I have been married before. We were married by an officiant and we had our ceremony/luncheon at a mansion. The only people that we invited were are parents, siblings and their children, and my daughter from my first marriage. The ceremony/luncheon was three hours long and it was beautiful. If I had to do it all over again though, I would have included distant family and friends because it caused alot of hurt feelings and some people have never spoken to us again. I think it's a great idea to have the ceremony at your house and have it catered. You may pay a little more in terms of food, but include everyone even if you think they won't come--believe me, people get ticked off if they don't get an invite. People enjoy weddings--especially weddings that are intimate like backyard weddings. Is it worth losing family and friends over? It doesn't matter if this is a second or tenth wedding for you..it's a special occasion. You can cut costs in so many ways--print your own invitations, have a friend bake your wedding cake, buy your dress at a resale shop, etc.

Just my experience and my 2 cents:)

Congratulations and best wishes:)

M.

My sister and her husband eloped in Hawaii and had a beautiful video made. Then- they had a party when they got back at a local theater where they aired the video and then had some light refreshments after. At first I was a little disappointed that I didn't get to see my sister get married (or dance at her wedding, etc.), but I totally understood that she didn't want the drama......... and the expense..........and hoopla of having every single person in the family at their wedding.

You may want to do something similar............have a little destination wedding w/ you and your husband-to-be, and kids............. Have a nice video made and tell everyone else that there will be a party when you return.

Everyone wants a piece of your special day and then there's nothing left for you! This is about you and your fiance............. You do what feels best for you! Good luck!