As I mentioned in a recent off topic thread my long term love B. And I recently got engaged. http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....mouse-ears

We have had a lot of questions from people about when and how we will wed. "We don't know yet!" Is our stock and honest answer.

I do know I don't want to spend even close to what the average weddung budget is in the US. We are still deciding on budgetary issues but I don't think either of us wants to spend more on a special event for one day than we would on a nice vacation (about 1/10 or less of what the average wedding cost is.) I also know I don't want a huge wedding.

Two real life weddings that inspire me to think intimate, small scale:
1. Wedding that we attended at an island retreat in British Columbia last spring. Off season but nice weather; intimate (under 20 guests), comfortable (the "rehearsal dinner" was a barbecue hosted by groom's family, reception was a potluck); authentic (bride wore emerald satin gown and gorgeous lace knitted circle shawl both made by her mom with rainbow knee socks and emerald Cons.) It felt like a retreat weekend.
2. Coworker that wed last year at city hall. She had a very fun, sweet judge that loves weddings and is passing on contact info to me. Wore a red cocktail dress. I believe immediate family only were at ceremony, then under 20 guests at reception dinner at nice restaurant. It took place between Christmas and New Years.

The idea of an intimate, more casual affair seems more authentic to B. And I. (My parents had a casual, smaller - under 50 guest - wedding as well.). I don't think our guest list will be quite as small as that, but I think we could stay under 100 total, maybe even under 75 or 50.

If you told me to outline my plan today, I'd say the "rough draft" would be a brunch or dessert reception in early Fall with open beer and wine, tables for guests to mingle at, board games or lawn games (if we chose a summer wedding with an outdoors venue), cake and pie and some light refreshments. Maybe a karaoke machine (some of our friends have one.)

I am also very drawn to the idea of a non white maxi or midi dress. White isn't my best color. It doesn't bring out the colors of my hair, eyes or skin the way jewel tones do-cobalt, emerald, peacock. I'd love a special semi formal dress I could wear again. And a gown seems like it would be out of place for a more casual shindig. I don't think B. has ever worn a tux or full suit, and it would be weird for him to do so.

(I also don't plan to grow out my hair much, if at all-but I would probably have hair and/or makeup done by my usual excellent stylist.)

Any ideas, especially for those of you who had smaller, more casual weddings yourselves?