When I worked weddings back in the 80s most weddings averaged around 150-200 guests. It was a moderately-priced venue - you could do fancy but most people stuck to the basics (stuffed chicken!). Family-style meals were also common (and probably the least expensive option I think). We didn't do buffets for weddings. There were weddings in the 200s but over 300 was extremely rare. Anything larger couldn't fit in our building so that's why we didn't see the really big ones. There could have been plenty of those big weddings at other venues for all I know but I doubt it

I had a very simple (ie cheap) wedding. I sent out about 100 invites and 100-130 attended. I didn't do RSVP because I really didn't care who came. I had a set amount to spend on the reception food so if we ran out I figured they could just go to any of the many fast food places near the church. The wedding was for me (Eric would have been fine with running off to Vagas) so I didn't worry about what others thought or anything. LOL That said. I had little favors. I bought small clear tube thingies at Party City, I think they were 25 or 30 cents each (in 2000). At that time, Hershey had the HUGS version of the kisses. I made little stickers on the computer and used decorative scissors to cut them to the right size and make them prettier. The messages had "Hugs and kisses from the Mr. and Mrs.". I was industrious and made them way in advance (a bonus of using chocolate!). The night before, my maid of honor informed me that I used the wrong Hersheys!!! I had kisses and almonds. I didn't change them and no one else ever noticed (or mentioned it!). I also refused to make bird seed bags- I had made WAY too many (I was the last in my circle to get married). I bought two plastic bird baths the season before when they were on clearance. I think I paid about $10/each. I had extra flowers from making the bouquets and window decorations (I cannot be around live flowers so they were all artificial). I used the flowers and ivy to decorate the edges of the bird baths and placed them by the reception doors. Right before we left, someone filled the bird baths (too many little boys around to do it ahead of time, LOL). Everyone grabbed a handful as they lined up. After we left, there was no netting or ribbons to clean up so my family was happy!

Yes, now I can have fun planning my wedding! Argh Yes, I do have a son, he will be 11 when we get married. My son wants to be the ring bearer, I want him to stand up at the alter with my fiance and my mother wants him to walk with her and I down the aisle. So at this point I have no idea how that will play out. Back to the MOH tantrum. On the last day of school (our kids go to the same school) she cornered my son and tried to pump him for wedding information, like who replaced her and asking other questions too. Evan didn't giver her much info. When he told me what she did my fiance and I sent her an email telling her how inappropriate it was to involve a child in her antics and that we are holding her to her decision to back out of the wedding and to basically mind her own business. It was not in a malicious tone, just to the point. We have not heard back from her since. Good luck with your wedding plans...keep me posted as to what you will do with your children. By the way, what does SAHM mean?

agree with coleen. there was this story on parents forum. This one lady posted her story as estranged parent and how her DIL treated her poorly and that's why she does not talk to her son or somehting of the sort. It did sound like a real story. But people made suggestions to her that she might be too harsh on her DIL and her son, so she should try to treat them nice because they sure cannot be as evil as she decsribed. She got upset and dissapeared. But then as time passed some newly registered member posted a thread about her MIL, in this thread this "young lady" was telling the same story but now from a position of DIL. and she portrayed herself as selfish and mean DIL. Now everybody is yelling and screaming: how dare you be so mean to your MIL, you are so evil and selfish. As time passed though it turned out that that same original poster (MIL) created a new name and decided to impersonate evil DIL as to convince everybody that DIL trully is evil. When it was uncovered both posters (or actually one under 2 names)dissapeared. So people do bizzare stuff to prove the point or waste everybody's time. On the other hand it is OK to discuss hypothetical situation with the wedding or with whatever else even if it is made up. Who cares if it is real, it is not like it makes a difference for us, right? The only difference is that with real story people can provide clarifications and true details to help with discussion but in made up stories we don't have that.