As some of you may know I recently got engaged but this weekend we are going to an engagement party for some friends who got engaged about 2 months ago in the Lake District.  We are meeting up with some friends we don't get to see all that often & I haven't seen since we got engaged so I'm really looking forward to celebrating & catching up with them.  However what I don't want to do is over shadow the couple's party, I'm very concious (sp?) that this is their party & is all about celebrating their engagement BUT we don't get to see the other people that often & I want to talk to them about it etc etc - it's a tough one!!  My OH reckons we should try to keep our wedding talk etc to a minimum & maybe organise a party for us later on in the year which I think is a good idea, I just hope the other couple don't think we're gate crashing their party so to speak!!  What do you think?

Also I cannot believe that some of the venues we've been considering for our summer wedding in 2010 are fully booked already or won't accept our booking if it's for less than 100 people!!!! I understand they want to make as much money as possible but a wedding is expensive as it is without venues forcing minimum numbers on people!! especially with it working out to be on average £50 per person to invite!!

Can't see the problem Gembo.  Presumably, the couple who are giving the party will be inviting loads of friends and family which will mean that they will be the centre of attention amongst the people who know them really well leaving you to chat to whoever you want.  :)

Regarding the wedding venue for 2010, maybe you could change your wedding date to a Sunday or a weekday when the places are not so fully booked.  My son did just that and the wedding was great with the guests happy to come on a weekday!

Hi Gembo,

Congrats on your engagement! I get married a month today!!!! I can't wait, we only got engaged less than a year ago so there has been alot to sort in a short space of time.

We had to have a minimum number if we went for a certain package, but it worked out that having to invite 85 worked out £2,000 CHEAPER than having 70! Doesn't make sense but we are glad they had that package when we booked, our date was the only one they had available on a Saturday and we booked that in Nov or Dec 07 for Oct 08. You have to get in quick and pop your deposit down or everywhere gets full up so quickly! We looked at some venues that were booked 3 years in advance! Nothing is cheap when it comes to weddings but have great fun in planning it, the time just goes so quickly.

With regards to your friends party, I would talk about your engagement and just enjoy it, people will probably ask you about it anyway, I'm sure. Then like you say you can have a party later on the year to celebrate for yourselves! They won't mind I'm sure.

Have fun, Sarah x x

> maybe you could change your wedding date to a Sunday or a weekday

If only it was that simple....2 contributing factors here 1) my OH works for JCB who still operate factory shut down so if we want to get married & have a 2 week honeymoon we have to go during the summer shut down period & 2) several key family members & friends are teachers & it's not so easy for them to have time off, especially when it won't just be the day of the wedding for most of them e.g. hen nights, dress fitting etc!!

We have looked into Sunday weddings but they too are very popular in the Summer months.  We recently went to a wedding on Sunday & found the evening recpetion a little quiet with so many people leaving early & not drinking as they have work the next day.

Congrats!!!!!
My sister got married on a friday which worked out well. Maybe a friday in the summer hols (ideal for teachers) and when your soon to be hubby has factory shutdown? Surely he's entitled to some other time off though, or could work overtime in lieu?

My friends are getting married - tomorrow- in Edinburgh. When he proposed on Christmas day he'd already looked into getting married in Scotland/flights etc so had a rough idea and becuase they didnt have long to organise things they did it extra effeciently and ended up being sorted by May!! They have done so well though in a short space of time with quite a limited budget.

> I get married a month today!!!!

WOW!!! Congratulations Sarah - you must be so excited!!  Wish someone would offer us a package like that!! I'm sure we'll find somewhere suitable just a shame it's not at the place I've got my heart set on!!

Can I ask what colour scheme are you having? Are you having a theme?

I am still a little worried about this wknd, I just don't want the couple to think we're bustling in on their celebrations!! I loved being the centre of attention when we were telling everyone, think we'll keep our wedding talk to a minimum, we'll have plenty of time to do all that later on!!

> I am still a little worried about this wknd, I just don't want the couple to think we're bustling in on their celebrations!! I loved being the centre of attention when we were telling everyone, think we'll keep our wedding talk to a minimum, we'll have plenty of time to do all that later on!!

I still can't see the problem, you are the only one who can prevent "bustling in on their celebrations" aren't you?  :) 

At wedding receptions everyone normally sits in their own little groups chatting away at their table while the bride & groom do the rounds talking to people. It would be inappropriate when the b&g come to your table to talk non stop about your own wedding when they would want to tell you about their day so far, but when you are just sat their with your friends i see no harm in talking about the wedding.

congratulations!! ive just booked mine for 07-08-09!!

Fredsmum it's an engagement party not a wedding!! I wouldn't dream of going on about my wedding to them at theirs!!!

> booked mine for 07-08-09!!

OOOHHH!! How exciting, not long to go!!!  How far along are you with your planning?

Hi Gembo,

Our colour scheme is claret red. I just love red and my bouquet is deep red roses, hand tied! They look lovely in the photos I have seen.

If you need any help or advice give me a shout, always happy to help. No theme, just everyone to come and have a good time and dance the night away! Not getting married until 3.30 so the day will fly by.

The engagement party will be just fine, try not to drink too much and then you will remember everything and what you said! You can be the centre of attention at your party, let your friends enjoy their night :) It will be just fine.

I had my hen party on Saturday - we went to London (by stretch limo) what a lovely surprise, i thought we were going by mini bus!! We went to see the show 'Hairspray', had a few drinks in a wine bar and then got a river boat down the Thames with a DJ on board and we all danced the night away - fab day!

Have fun, Sarah x

> Fredsmum it's an engagement party not a wedding!! I wouldn't dream of going on about my wedding to them at theirs!!!

..........nor at their engagement party I hope!  :)  :)

not far with mine yet!!! trying to keep as simple as possible!
booked the venue, paid deposit, booked registrar ( we have agreed to have a civil ceremony in one of the licensed rooms at the venue)  and have booked photos and paid the deposit to secure them!

ive started looking at dresses and have brochures for their suits, im going for a pale pastel green as my other colour, my 8 year old son helped with that choice!!

im working on cutting down the guest list to save some pennies!

> im going for a pale pastel green as my other colour, my 8 year old son helped with that choice!!
>

Aw how cute!! I'm thinking of having teal & silver but have noticed there a lot of lovely pastel green things esp invitations & favour boxes!!!

I wish I as getting married sooner but I guess it will come round soon enough!  I think they'll be a lot of wedding talk over the next few months on CD!!!! Which is good, means I don't have to find a good wedding forum to join!!

In the excitement about "The Wedding"......don't forget about "The Marriage"!!  :)

OK, well even at their engagement party they wont be sat with you the whole time so i dont think its going to be seen as "stealing the limelight"