Gorgeous venues @VaBluebird!
One year from now, we should be at our wedding!
Congrats @jym626
@jym626, if they are so inclined, I know where they can get a chuupah! 
My friend did share flowers for the church with 2 other brides who were getting married that day. They used white flowers so they would match everyone, and then donated them to the church for Sunday. I thought that was a good idea.
It was perfect in every way, but the highlight of the evening was the bride singing and groom on guitar serenading s with Sarah Bareilles’ “I Choose You”. It was just over the top fantastic, just perfect. Everything else was just wonderful, fabulous, fun, moving, sweet…perfect. We had SUCH a good time. My husband was best man and he gave an amazing, funny, touching, loving toast.
Her family is just wonderful and we continued our visiting and getting to know one another today with a beautiful brunch at a friend’s house, hosted by the bride’s mom. So much fun. We look forward so much to celebrating again with them in August at the Minnesota reception.
I’m over the moon and I know they are. They are perfect for one another.
@VaBluebird: sounds like it could not be any better than that. Happy for you and your family.
And I forgot to even say my nephew who is a Methodist minister officiated. He and Justin were very close growing up and of course I love him dearly. He lives in Georgia.
So what’s worse than a cash bar at a wedding reception? A BYOB reception! S1 and his girlfriend went to one last weekend. Is this becoming a thing now? I thought it was chintzy but I kept my mouth shut.
Our reception in the Stone Age…was very small. I think we had 30 people or so. Family and a few very close friends.
We had a champagne punch…and that was it. In almost every picture…someone is holding a can of beer…so clearly they BYOB. We think it was our best man…but nomway to know for sure. But we laughed when we got the pics developed.
Our reception was at a friend’s house. It was very low budget…and the champagne punch was all we could afford.
I think I’d prefer BYOB to a cash bar, actually, especially if it is in keeping with a more casual, low budget affair.
@Bestfriendsgirl, that sounds like something for a couple of poor college students who want to get married young with no parental support.
I’ve honestly never heard of this otherwise. Maybe the couples’ families are teetotalers and don’t approve and this is their compromise for allowing it there.
My parents didn’t drink so we provided only a champagne punch and a plain punch. It was in a restaurant with a bar so anyone who wanted could get themselves a cocktail. A couple of people did. I know this is deemed tacky, but oh well. I could not afford an open bar anyway and my parents would have been mortified if I had. I would not do that to them.
My friend did share flowers for the church with 2 other brides who were getting married that day. They used white flowers so they would match everyone, and then donated them to the church for Sunday. I thought that was a good idea.>>>>>>>
we did that 40 years ago when we got married. I think the priest actually suggested it. Slick, huh? LOL.
I just thought it was odd. I don’t know the couple personally; they’re friends of the gf. I’m going to a wedding in a couple of weeks where the parents of the groom are teetotalers and the bride’s family, who are paying for everything, emphatically are not. It should be interesting.
My daughter just mentioned tonight that she would have a BYOB reception. My mother and I told her no, that you don’t ask people to bring their own liquor.
She’s just dreaming and is not engaged. Yesterday she was breaking up with her boyfriend and today she’s getting married at her grade school church, having a brunch in the gym (and having people bring their own champagne) and it will all be over by 2 pm. Dreaming.
@twoinanddone Just think of all the $$$ you would save! 
Any thoughts on airlines that are helpful vs. not helpful to a bride who has to carry her wedding gown as her carry-on? My daughter is going to have to bring hers from Denver to Washington, DC.
DIL had to fly with her wedding gown from CA to NYS. I believe she flew on United and was able to bring it onboard the plane, but she made arrangements with the airline ahead of time. Her sister also had a professional steamer to deal with any wrinkles that occurred in transit.
Friend flew Delta. She not only brought her gown on board, but the airline upgraded them to first class. I’m guessing it was NOT a crowded flight.
Thank you, @thumper1. Delta flies between Denver and DC (though not non-stops), so they’re certainly a possibility.
Any other suggestions, thoughts, horror stories?
Call the airline in advance and ask their help/suggestions. And have a steamer on the other end…
Not a wedding dress, but MOB story. I was on a Delta flight recently and there was a woman flying out of the country for her daughter’s wedding and had a connecting flight. She was carrying her gown in a garment bag, as well as her purse and a carry on bag. The gate attendant would not let her board due to the fact she had too many pieces; I do not believe it was the dress itself. As we were standing in line, a man next to me said she should slip the dress on over her clothing as it would not be a carry on!! If I had not had my own pieces, I would have offered to take it for her, although I was a good bit back in the line and was being nosy 
I do not know the out come as we boarded, but the woman was getting hot and upset, and I don’t blame her. She kept telling the gate agent it was for her daughter’s wedding and she could not leave it behind; the agent was not budging.
Back in the day the airlines had closets to hang garment bags; I am not sure they do anymore.