Hello, I'm new on here, and a new Bride to Be. We have only made a few decisions so far and I think we are going with Sept 2009, maybe Labor Day weekend. We have weighed the pros and cons of a holiday weekend, but like the idea of our guests having a 3 day weekend as well as the option of a Sunday wedding which is supposedly less expensive.

My main concern is that we are leaning towards an outdoor wedding and the location we have looked at and really like, is on Lake Erie. Not sure if you saw the Indians/Yankees game in the playoffs last year, but we get swarms of "lake flies" or midges as they are called. Anyone have any knowledge on this, ideas, suggestions on how to deal with or avoid this? I don't want to give up the location I love, it is also very affordable since it is a community center (there is a building with lots of windows that is lovely, but I want to be able to go outside). But I also don't want bugs all over my wedding dress or my guests! Help!

You probably need to double check on that cheaper wedding on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. My husband and I had a destination wedding on Labor Day Weekend in 2004...Everything is higher on a holiday weekend. Now we knew this and chose that date because of the extra day that our guests had for travel, and we were willing to pay the extra for the Holiday Weekend for that reason. Just double check on the price.
Best of LucK!

Hey - I too am having an outdoor reception and am worried about the insects. I am thinking of haivng the candles by off with the insect repellent underneath the tables - the kind that just give off smoke - not flame. You can find them at lowes or homedepot. I also heard from a wedding planner that she sprays off on the tableclothes to help keep the bugs away. Torches surrounding the perimeter may help as well. Here's a helpful website.
Can you get rid of midges from your garden? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers

Share with me some of your outdoor reception ideas. I would love to hear them!

I found another great website today for citronella candles at wholesale

Wholesale Dollar Store Items and General Merchandise

it also has other great dollar store items

Hey katyj112,
I am also getting married Labor Day weekend of 2009! Truthfully, when we first picked that date, we totally didn't even think of the holiday lol. We're having our ceremony and reception at a local restaurant. Like most couples, we were planning on a Saturday wedding. My fiance' and I wanted a couple of things that the restaurant couldn't do on a Saturday but could do on a Friday or Sunday. So, we ended up going with the Friday. The only thing we're kinda sorta worried about is how some guests may feel rushed or find it inconvient to attend a Friday wedding. i.e. some guests may have to request to leave work a little early. But we're taking comfort in the fact that we ARE having it on a holiday weekend. Yes, some guests may not particularly like attending a Friday wedding, but they'll also be happy about having a 3 day weekend....so it makes up for any drama lol.

I am a DIY - with an outside spring wedding/reception. I was able to find tables really cheap locally but cheap came cheaply looking tables. Any ideas on where I can find really nice looking real tablecloths at a good price? I don't want plastic or paper since it will be outside. I want to take away from the picnic look. Thanks!

See if you can rent some from a local rental company or caterer. Otherwise if you have someone in your family that is a sewer you could simply make some. You could select whatever type fabric you were looking for and have them make it. It wouldn't be that hard, just a sewing maching and sew some hems and you'd be good to go.

doesnt' sound too bad. I am going to try a test one to see how it comes out. I read in one of my articles during my research about using a sheet as the table cloth layered by a table cloth topper but haven't tried that look yet.

I have a question - I originally was planning on having my wedding and ceremony in my backyard. It's a three level yard sectioned off by rockwalls and stairs. Really nice - I was to do the wedding and ceremony there. However, my reception will be informal. I basically wanted it partially catered and then have a grill going as well. A really nice garden party idea. Well I am having second thoughts about having the wedding here. I chose a justice of the peace who has a beautiful house on the beach and will hold a small private ceremony there if we wanted. It has a beatiful gazebo and beach setting. I just love it and the more I think about it the more I like the idea. My question is this. Would it be corny to have the wedding on one weekend - private - with just a handful of close friends and family and then have the reception the weekend after with everyone that wants to come? The wedding is supposed to be on May 2nd but I was thinking of doing the wedding on May 16 and then having the reception on May 23rd - Memorial day saturday. Any ideas?

No, I don't think that'd be corny! Whatever makes your wedding special and memorable is the right thing to do. I think it'd save a lot of money to have more guests at the reception, rather than the ceremony and the reception (if you think about chair rental fees and such). Good luck!

How to Plan Your Cheap Wedding!