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Please help me be organised...<<grovel,grovel>>

11 replies

serenity · 11/07/2006 13:48

Apologies first of all as I've promised DD a trip to the park, so I'm going to post and run!

I am unbelievably unorganised, I can generally pull things togther at the last minute (birthday parties, christenings etc) but I have no skill or experience with long term planning. Our wedding was organised in 3 months (impending DS1!) We were really skint, and didn't have a reception as such (54 of us went to the local Harvester and had the Christmas Menu, we didn't even pay)

Next year is our 20th RL/10th Wedding Anniversary, and I want to have the big bash that we didn't have. I have no idea where to start. I have a venue, although we haven't set a proper date (sometime in August - I need to look at next years calender to find a suitable Saturday) What do I do first? When should I do offical invitations - I'm worried that a lot of people will be away? I've mentioned it casually before, but expect that people won't think I'll pull it together. How do I find a DJ that plays music we like, or would playing a homeburnt CD through the sound system be OK? Does a DJ add to the atmosphere? What the hell do I do about food? Am I getting worried too early?

We haven't got a lot of money, the venue's free but everything else will be paid for as we go along. There's a kitchen, and a bar (which we might put some money behind, but it's subsidised anyway) a small dance floor and a separate room we can set the food up in.

Where do I start?

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Iklboo · 11/07/2006 13:54

Get your date sorted first, then send out the invites.
Look in yellow pages for DJ. Almost all will play the sort of music you want to hear, cos you're paying them. They usually ask in advance what you want anyway.
Do your own buffet. DH & I oprganised our own engagement party and us, MIL & my mum did a buffet. It wasn't that expensive & looked like a Hogwarts feast - there was loads left over.
Print your own invites on the computer - Paperchase etc do really nice paper really cheaply - cut & paste a wedding photo of you & DH as a personal touch & use a nice font.

Hope that helps?

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Iklboo · 11/07/2006 13:54

Oh - and if you're having it in August, I'd send out the invites around March-ish?

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serenity · 11/07/2006 17:10

Thanks Iklboo

Should we think about booking a DJ now then? How far in advance do people book them?

MIL has catered the christenings in the past, but I want something different this time. Maybe I can get her to do a bit and do the rest myself.

We'll do our own invitations, I prefer it - you can get them just the way you want them that way (I'm a fussy bugger )

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LizP · 11/07/2006 19:46

Put 'save the date' notes in your christmas cards - will give people warning maybe not to book their holiday then. Would try and book the DJ by xmas if it was me. Once you've done that then you can relax a bit before worring about food and stuff.

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Skribble · 11/07/2006 21:17

Party planning
anniversary parties
Checklist

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Skribble · 11/07/2006 21:19

Party planning 2nd time lucky}

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Skribble · 11/07/2006 21:20

www.yankeegrocery.com/party_planning.html
oh cut and past it yourselves

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serenity · 12/07/2006 17:39

Thanks for the links Skribble, they're just the sort of thing I need, and the idea about putting notes in Christmas cards is excellent Liz.

Looking at these things makes me realise that I'm getting far too stressed far too early - so I'll pick a date and leave it until December to start things rolling.

Thanks

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lexiemum · 14/07/2006 23:44

definately send "save the date" messages out with the xmas cards but get the guest list sorted now - if you're as unorganised as me then you'll need to hunt out addresses and you won't want to be doing this 2weeks before christmas.

where are you? i bet mn would come up trumps with recommendations for dj's, caterers etc.

i'd also visit some of the wedding websites - confetti; weddingservices4u etc they'll have loads of ideas and time-schedules.

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CristinaTheAstonishing · 14/07/2006 23:45

Have you had a peek at Flylady? There might be some tips on there.

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Skribble · 15/07/2006 01:17

No don't do it! If you are anything like me do not go near fly lady you will rebel horribly. You will be up to your ears in dirty laundry, throwing junk mail on the floor, walking about in your slippers and filling your sink with frosties and old tea bags just to spite her. I couldn't even handle reading the e.mails never mind actually doing any of the stuff.

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