My surprise wedding idea? Advice pls

[CinderToriella]

Ok That's it , we have been engaged for 2 many years, we cant afford a big wedding nor do we want one.
I was thinking of a court house wedding but now im thinking of this, tell me what you think?
DD first bday next March, we have her party and get married then, when we have all our family and friends already with us (we hope lol) make it a surprise ,simple ,make it official ..
What do you think? It prob wont be on DD actual birthday so dates wont clash, is this a bad silly idea?

Has anyone done this or something of the like? How much do you think it would cost?I have started emailing celebrants (sp) ...
what costs would be involved?

[Traveller]

That is the most gorgeous idea, it actually gave me goosebumps. I can only imagine how pleased I would be to be at a surprise wedding, I'm sure your friends and family will love it.

[Sunny Love]

Brilliant idea!! GO FOR IT BABE!!!!!!

[~*Niadalla*~]

Personally, I LOVE surprise weddings!
I had one of my own. We got married at our engagement party.
I organised everything in 3 months. We had a sit down meal and everything.
I think my wedding not including rings was around $4000 that's for food, drinks, venue, celebrant, dress, hubby's suit, deco's, invitations... etc etc etc.
Pretty easy to organise and we had the time of our lives! Everyone loved it!
Be prepared for someone to not be a fan, and for some people to not turn up on the day. We clued out immediate family in, but everyone else was not told anything (although I made the invitations fancy, and asked people to be there at a certain time to be served their meal- just to try and make sure everyone was there).

If you'd like any help at all, feel free to PM me. Best of luck!!!

[Babyluv]

Great idea, love it
Friends of ours invited everyone to their engagement party and ended up getting married

[Kazbah]

I think this is a great idea

Friends of mine did this, we thought it was an engagement party, but it wasn't! So much more relaxed, and people who *wanted* to be there not felt they *had* to be there, IYKWIM?

Costs can be as much or as little as you want! Celebrant - ours was $800, but it can vary. That's about it!!!! Rings - $100 - $10,000 !!! Dress - $10 - $!!!!
Location - park - may be some costs. You could even do something like have the "birthday party" at the zoo with a special area reserved, that can cost $150 at Melbourne zoo. Food - well it's a birthday party, bring a plate? And cake - $100+ dependent on size / style.

Sounds great, I bet it will be a wonderful day!!!

[CinderToriella]

OMG thanks everyone , i have goosebumps now lol, i am so excited and i really really want to be able to do this .
Ring i am using my Nan's wedding band , just need to get it re dipped in the white gold .
Hmm where to have it...

Wow are Celebrants really that $$$?

[~*Niadalla*~]

My celebrant was $350.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

My aunty did this on her birthday, i was her bridesmaid and i didn't even know it
She told everyone it was a dress-up party (based around the yr she was born), we helped set up and then she was like come on we are going... WHAT WHERE.. off to get hair and make-up done.. your my bridesmaid

It was gorgeous, the people that REALLY wanted to be a part of her life and celebrate things with her were there, a special few who said they couldn't make it but really needed to know were told and they cancelled previous commitments but otherwise it was a total surprise.. good luck with ti all

[Purple Penguin]

I think it's a great idea!

Our celebrant only cost $500, but I guess it depends where you live. Is there a park or something close to you? Maybe you can have it there?

[CinderToriella]

Ok great thanks guys ,yeah that's what iv been trying to think of, as it would be a 1st birthday as well so has to be suitable for both,hhmm, food i am not fusses, would be happy with a BBQ

[CinderToriella]

Yeah i guess we would have to tell some ppl as they may not be able to come but if they knew it was for a wedding/birthday they would want to be there..

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Yeah i guess we would have to tell some ppl as they may not be able to come but if they knew it was for a wedding/birthday they would want to be there..

I think it's good NOT to tell them unless they say we can't make it, then you weigh up whether or not you should tell them.
It's a great idea and sometimes might just proove who's willing to fob you off