Hey Tish! Nothing will be like you think and something will go wrong. As long as you handle it with affection and aplomb, it'll be ok. I've been married three times (UGH! let's don't go there). The first time was the huge white wedding with a veil that was hot glued to a headband and then flowers hotglued over it (tip there since you asked!), very formal in a church, and very somber... the flower girl did very well dropping her petals, until she got to the end of the aisle, turned, and ran up it yelling Mommy, Mommy, I did it! And the third one I only got to see/hold my bouquet for about ten minuets. It disappeared never to be seen again?! Just give it a good laugh and enjoy it as "memorable" when it happens. because. It will. (((smiles!!!)))

Here are some surprises I have seen/heard of/done: - Bagpipes at the wedding (husband is part scottish, so it was a nod to his family) - Cigar Bar at reception (husband loves cigars and he participated with the guests) - Ice Martini bar (bar carved out of ice and served his favorite drink) - Surprise guest (a close friend or family member that groom didn't think could come to celebration showed up as a surprise) - A surprise groom's cake representing his hobbies - Having a snack brought to your wedding night suite/room of his favorite treats for after the reception - A gift given to him right before the ceremony with a nice card expressing how you are looking forward to getting married to him - cufflinks, watch, tie, pen, etc.

Hmmm, I was once invited to an ex-boyfriend's wedding and I attended. The bride threw the bouquet at me! For my part, at the time, I saw my ex-boyfriend as a friend only and I think that was part of why he invited me was to show his wife to be and the world that's where things stood. It made her uncomfortable and then she threw the bouquet at me! They did ultimately divorce but that's another story. I think when people no longer matter to you, then they really don't matter in the same way. Why be threatened? On the kids participating, why bother? One caveat, last Thanksgiving, we went to SD35's home for dinner. She invited her mother as well, BM. I have no axe to grind with her and wanted to attend the dinner. Long story short, it was weird, she would talk to DH and then drift off when I showed up. So unnecessary as I am not worried that way. I doubt that I will attend anything else like that with her there, not because I am worried about her, but because she has her own mixed feelings. My adult skids did not attend my wedding to their father or the reception which hurt my feelings and that I never forgot. Keep it simple for yourself. Just invite them but don't put them in to the mix of the wedding. That will probably be more comfortable for everyone involved especially you.

Happy New Year. Yesterday before DD took the Mega Bus back to Chicago, we went to the Iowa Arboretum to look at their facilities and wedding information. I used to be a member back in the mid 1990's. It has grown (no pun intended) a lot. We decided on this location, selected a tentative date, and decided to do a reception and a wedding at this location. Call to pastor to check dates available was made to reserve the date with her and give a couple alternative dates. Hope all works with the originally selected date, cause who knows if the alternatives will be available in a week. DH and I are really happy with this selection. The venue is not far from us in the country. Wonderful people there too. Iowa Arboretum @Mdln have you seen Asrai Garden floral designs? They are stunning and we might use them for the bridal party flowers, if we can get them here appropriately. DD is looking into logistics. OR I am totally using their look to find a local florist that can create something similar. There is also The Foxglove Studio for flowers in Chicago. Asrai Garden The Foxglove Studio