18 Sep 2010 12:00 PM
7 Aug 2010
Vegreville, AB
Beaker
WB Devotee
1,370
As you all know, I'm planning a wedding. And I'm finding, more often than not, that in almost all of the photos I see, and a good many of the tutorials, testimonials, and advice-seeking I read... That a distinct effort has been made to make the wedding a very formal, distinguished, elegant affair.
And that doesn't really capture FW and I's spirit at all.
Don't worry, I get that there is no prerequisite on any level of formality when it comes to a wedding - ultimately, the choice on the 'mood' will come down to us. We are already planning a fun, casual wedding and we've got no qualms about it. Our approach is that our wedding should be equal parts a time for us to cherish, and a time for our guests to have an absolute hoot.
To that end, we were planning on having a laid-back and polite ceremony. A short one. And then, after that, the gloves are off. Let the DJ loose, let fly some inside jokes, and give the guests a party worth talking about for a little while. We're not afraid to joke about ourselves in the process.
My question to you WBers, then: Is there a point at which a wedding becomes TOO informal or TOO loose? I suspect there is. And what about the flipside: do you get uncomfortable if a wedding is made TOO formal?
I'll give you a quick example - you can tell me your honest opinion. We were not going to do 'Save the Date' cards, but then I got an idea in my head that I thought was just hi-larious, and so I couldn't resist sketching something up. And I'm giving strong consideration to sending it out via email, both for fun and as an actual reminder... Even though 'traditionalists' would likely consider it in poor taste.
Here's what it looks like:

18 Sep 2010 12:29 PM
1 Jan 2010
go_Brch
Unregistered
0
Dude - I freaking love it!! Everything about it actually.
I think it's great because it sets the tone that you want - a really great, fun time with family and friends.
Roll with it.
18 Sep 2010 12:33 PM
6 Jul 2010
South Western ON
vanillacoffee
Addict
3,385
Love it!! Can I come???
18 Sep 2010 12:39 PM
11 Feb 2008
rachelp
WB Devotee
2,285
The best part about weddings is that they are all different. I love it when a wedding reflects that couple. That STD is awesome.
Well, it all depends for me. My first though when I saw it was that you are having a backyard BBQ reception. Am I right? I dont think its poor taste at all, I just think it might confuse people. (when I first saw it I though it was a hot dog sausage being grilled, therefore the BBQ). Maybe if you re draw the date it would be less confusing. But in general, its a really cute idea. How are your invites?
18 Sep 2010 12:47 PM
9 Sep 2009
Calgary, AB
raisingirl
Devotee
1,134
That is awesome. HAHAHAHA.
We had a pretty laid back informal wedding, but everyone seemed to rave about it. I think the key for us was that we tried to keep things "us". If we would have had a really formal wedding, people would have been uncomfortable, I suspect. We made sure to have little details that pulled things together, since our venues were pretty casual.
I don't know if there would be a point of being TOO informal for me, as long as it seemed to keep in character with the couple.
Your STD is a fabulous idea, in my opinion. We emailed STD's too, and it went over well. If I received that for a wedding, I would be super pumped to attend! It's hilarious!
18 Sep 2010 12:57 PM
22 Mar 2012
Smileygirl
Devotee
1,077
I think it's great that you want your wedding to reflect your personality! I see no problem with keeping things light. I like the idea of the cartoon-like STD, but I'm a little confused by the picture. Maybe I'm I little slow, but I don't get what the little guy over the fire means. Perhaps you could elaborate about what your vision is.

18 Sep 2010 1:26 PM
8 Feb 2009
Calgary, AB
Amaranthus
Weddingbeller
639
I don't see why not.
We're having a "formal" wedding in a cathedral in Halifax, with a reception to follow at a gorgeous hotel, and my save-the-dates are going to say this:
All the information will be inside the card, but it's a way to get people to loosen up and have a giggle. There's also a good chance that the wedding speeches are going to turn into a comedy roast of the bride and groom anyway because our family and friends are not really a sentimental bunch. We thrive on laughter, so jokes will be told, things will be inferred, and we'll be naughty. It's all in good fun.
Besides, you only get married once.
18 Sep 2010 2:57 PM
7 Aug 2010
Vegreville, AB
Beaker
WB Devotee
1,370
That is awesome, Amaranthus. Love it.
Our invites themselves will be tamer, though we don't currently have a color scheme so they'll each be on different cardstock, almost. I may have fun with those too, and have one of the pages 'lift' to reveal another page, where I claim that she hijacked the invitations and include all sorts of manly pictures, such as dinosaurs driving monster trucks or something.
18 Sep 2010 5:26 PM
30 Jun 2007
Victoria
Tropical777
Raving Lunatic
12,667
I don't think it can get too informal. One of my fav weddings I went to, everyone ended up going tubing and swimming in the lake off the yard so we spent half the reception wet and in bathing suits.
18 Sep 2010 5:27 PM
30 Jun 2007
Victoria
Tropical777
Raving Lunatic
12,667
Oh! And I thought it was a prune being roasted (not a date).
18 Sep 2010 10:23 PM
15 Jun 2008
Calgary : )
Nire
Postaholic
5,130
DO IT!!!!!!
Your wedding sounds a lot along the lines of the vibe and feel I want...so obviously I fully support your line of thinking.
I look forward to watching our weddings develop together.
ETA: I just got the joke..save the date..it is a date...oh my, love it! (and yes, forgive me I just got up from a nap and obviously am alittle slow.)
18 Sep 2010 11:57 PM
7 Jun 2010
Calgary, Alberta
Joelene_Mills
Addict
3,646
DO IT!!
I think it is adorable, and had a great giggle over the STD. Even hubs likes it.
I am all for making it about you. I don't think there is a "line" you are crossing. You are making it about you, so if you are not a formal couple, and are all about shits and giggles then would't this be expected from your friends and family?
I know that we are going to have the odd little things at our wedding that will get people giggling like mad, and at the same time cause some peoples blood to boil. For example, when our commish says " you may kiss the bride" we were planning on having one of our guests stand up and lay one on me... but that guest can't make it to the wedding now.

So we changed it to , when it is said, the dj is going to BLAST Dr. Hooks' " You make my pants wanna get up and dance."
he will play it up till the "honey won't you kiss me again" then fade out so we can finish the rest of the ceremony...Make your wedding as FUN as you want it to be, you won't be doing it ever ever again.
19 Sep 2010 1:37 AM
1 Jan 2010
go_Brch
Unregistered
0
wow so the censor doesn't catch shits..... hilarious!!!
19 Sep 2010 1:47 AM
7 Aug 2010
Vegreville, AB
Beaker
WB Devotee
1,370
Uh oh... Brach is gonna have some fun, isn't she?
Cheers, everyone. As we continue to plan, I'll continue to share - it's a lot of fun, after all. I'm somewhat surprised to not have seen any dissent yet... I'll take it as a sign that you're all such forward-thinking women. Though, frankly, even if I had seen dissent I'd probably wind up thinking 'Shove it! I'm doing it mah way!' anyway.
20 Sep 2010 11:06 AM
26 Nov 2009
MAWL
Addict
4,547
I think its cute! I would go for it! DATE TWIN!
20 Sep 2010 11:10 AM
20 Oct 2009
kahicpep
Devotee
1,253
looks adorable. own it!
20 Sep 2010 1:04 PM
13 Jul 2006
GVA, wishing it was GTA
tjrocks
Empress of the Forum
30,378
I love that save the date.
The best wedding I've ever been to was also the most laid back, informal event. Wedding invites were those pre-made birthday party-type invites you can get at the dollar store with the basic info filled out. I'm sure she probably got those on sale too.

I think it's your wedding. If you don't want it to be formal, than don't try.
The only thing to consider is dress code. If you're cool with guests showing up for your wedding dressed like they're ready for a kegger, then that Save the Date will work. If you'd like them to be a little more formal, then your stationary should be the same.
20 Sep 2010 1:34 PM
9 Jul 2005
Around, SK
LadyAurora
Duchess of the Forum
20,003
It's hilarious! I love it! Run with it.
20 Sep 2010 2:17 PM
1 Jan 2010
EllaCat
Unregistered
0
I love it! Do what feels right for you. Like PP's, the most fun wedding I was ever at was the most casual one ever.
20 Sep 2010 4:03 PM
3 Jul 2008
Toronto, ON
NurseBride2B
Forum Fan
596
Looks great....and the most important part is that it captures your personality...weddings should not be 'cookie-cutter' reproductions but should reflect who you are as a couple...I think you've done this exactly...love it

21 Sep 2010 1:20 AM
7 Aug 2010
Vegreville, AB
Beaker
WB Devotee
1,370
Excellent.

(And to RedVelvet... I'm certainly not the boss of you. And I certainly wouldn't tell you that if you want good baba cooking and homemade green tea white chocolate truffles you should visit the Social Center on the evening of the date listed above... No, certainly wouldn't do that.)
21 Sep 2010 8:46 AM
6 Jan 2006
Dartmouth NS
NancyAnn
Devotee
1,953
My thoughts - I love the idea of originality and humour. I think you should go with something along that lines. And while I feel that what you've come up with is rather funny, the fact that you've had to explain it to a few of us already (those who are actually familiar with a STD) means that quite a few of your guests might not get the joke.
So my suggestion would be to find a way to make it more obvious.
21 Sep 2010 9:36 AM
24 May 2009
Durham Region, ON
DayDreamer
Devotee
1,638
I figured from a guy that chose his username and avatar to be Beaker, you'd be a pretty hi-larious dude. Looks like I was right!
Roll with it! I think the mock-up STD is hilarious, even if you don't go with that one specifically I think using a funny one like that is a great idea!
To answer your initial questions: I think TOO informal, for me, would be a wedding where 90% of the people there are wearing jeans. I don't know, to me jeans are just the definition of informality. But, that being said, if that's how a couple wants to do their wedding, who am I to judge? Just because I wouldn't do it that way doesn't mean nobody else should do theirs that way. On the flip side, nothing is too formal for me. I love getting all gussied up and going to fancy parties. I do love fancy weddings.
21 Sep 2010 1:02 PM
14 Mar 2009
T&C
Duchess of the Forum
20,838
Mmmmm....Baba cooking...
I love it - but I did think the date looked like a raisin at first. I realize that it would be hard to distinguish the two in cartoon form but that was my first thought.
31 Oct 2012 11:59 PM
30 Apr 2012
buzzle.ca
buzzle
New Member
0
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21 Sep 2010 7:52 PM
7 Aug 2009
love_story
Rookie
210
Love it! It's really cute!
23 Sep 2010 10:00 PM
24 Jul 2008
Edmonton, AB
Siggy1909
Devotee
1,661
I think it's a great idea! I definitely think it's important to go with what fits you guys and your personalities.
23 Sep 2010 10:31 PM
21 Apr 2010
Red_
Addict
3,474
I love it - and if it suits your personalities - go for it.
I have the wedding invite from a friend's wedding in 2 weeks. My friend (the groom) designed them. He is very straighforward. The invite read:
The Question was asked. The Answer was yes.
Now we're getting married.
And gave the info. No poems, no frills, and it suited them perfectly....
24 Sep 2010 2:27 PM
23 Feb 2006
Calgary
luinge
Postaholic
5,542
Yep, go for it!
Ours wasn't as fancy (we got married on a boat and had our reception in a barn) but it was us. We cut a homemade cake made my DH grandma, most people got drunk, dj played some good old classics (no dance music), our favors was candy buffet in mason jars, lots of inside jokes, no formal speeches (we we did give a speech but it was along the lines of "thanks everyone for coming out, now lets go upstairs and party").
Have fun with it!!!
24 Sep 2010 4:59 PM
1 Jan 2010
MrsPouPou
Unregistered
0
Hey, we had a BBQ reception at a baseball diamond, so nope can't be too informal for us

It was the diamond DH asked me out at in grade 10, and well, who doesn't want BBQ'd steak, chicken breasts and shrimp?
Ummmmm.... can others come to the wedding too? I'm debating letting DH get a 2nd wife if she can do yummy perogies and ukranian food.
25 Sep 2010 2:31 PM
18 May 2009
jaredsbride
WB Lurker
116
I can appreciate the thought of the 'save the date/over the flame' and its a cute idea, but it doesn't really say 'we're having a wedding' to me. It seems more like 'sigh...yea, we're getting married and this is the first image we want you to see of how we view marriage'. I know thats not what you mean to say, but it all looks kind of negative to me. Sorry to be blunt..it just seems more appropriate for a 50th birthday party or something. The drawing itself is really good, though!
28 Sep 2010 12:53 PM
7 Aug 2010
Vegreville, AB
Beaker
WB Devotee
1,370
I've got another idea in my head that is both more personal, professional, and fun, so I'll switch it up from the illustration above to a photo instead. Still along the same lines, but it'll eliminate confusion. Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
2 Oct 2010 3:35 AM
25 Aug 2009
eradikateor
WB Lurker
162
Can I come? This sounds AMAZING.
10 Oct 2010 4:31 PM
23 Jul 2009
British Columbia
budgetbride23
WB Lurker
133
Love the save the date, absolutely adorable!! Your wedding should be any way you want it to be.
17 Oct 2010 12:36 PM
19 Feb 2009
Leifsmama
WB Devotee
1,933
If you love it then I'm sure your friends and family will love it, knowing you! If you like something try not to compare it to the stuff on here......Sometimes the people on here are nothing like yourself (so I have found anyways)
31 Oct 2012 11:59 PM
30 Apr 2012
buzzle.ca
buzzle
New Member
0
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