Why Have Weddings Become So Complicated!!!!!

Heather, it can definately be overwhelming, but it doesn`t have to. You can have whatever kind of party you want. If you cannot afford to serve everone dinner then have your reception in the afternoon say 2-3ish or later in the evening say 8ish. This way people won`t expect a full meal. You can then have your beer and pretzels (which is a fabulous idea for a relaxing casual wedding) along with the cake. Maybe you have some aunts, cousins, friends etc that want to help you make appitizers as well for just fnger food. The only thing you need to be conscious about is the time. You don`t want to have your reception over lunch (11:30-1) or dinner (5-7) as people may expect food. Hope this helps, and don`t fret, don`t feel bad about wanting the beer and pretzels thing if that`s what you want and can afford.

I agree! Weddings are way too complicated these days. Serve what you want to serve at your reception - beer and pretzels is fine. You aren`t obligated to feed someone a huge meal just because they come to your wedding.

If you can`t afford to feed everyone, then you don`t have to. Weddings years ago were much less formal productions than today`s standards. Years back a bride and groom would get married in a church and then cake and punch afterwards in the basement of the church as the reception -- and that was it. Now, people are spending thousands of dollars for 7 course meals, etc.

Serve what you can afford -- if beer and pretzels fit your budget, then serve beer and pretzels. This is an event that you are hosting and since you`re the host, you decide your budget and what you will be serving.

Best wishes.

I completely understand and relate. It seems as if the wedding industry has gotten nuts and that they have made stuff up that *everybody* has to have. This is silly. Personally, I would totally be down with beer and pretzels as I really like both. At our wedding, we found place that caters with pasta and it will be under 4.50 a head. Since the wedding is small, (70 people tops, and that`s if everybody shows) iso it won`t be too expensive. There have been weddings that I`ve been to where I know people paid 20 dollars a head and the food tasted like it came from a school cafateria (spelling?)..so more money on food doesn`t mean it will be better.
So serve your beer and pretzels! if people don`t like it, oh well! Just be sure that they understand that there won`t be a full meal. Most people will be cool!

People should go to the wedding to support the people who are getting married. The guests are there to acts as witnesses to the marriage, and to provide emotional support. Its not about the guests getting some big steak dinner for free. You aren`t obligated to serve a meal to your guests. The wedding industry has tried to convince us all that we have to have all this stuff, that we don`t really need. Because the wedding vendors need our money!