I agree with Party Music that the buffet line should be on both sides of table & have soup, corn, then stew,(do they make it with flatbread or will they be already put together? I haven't had that so don't know how it's done.. Drinks I always prefer to be in 1 area ,not main food table as a spill can really slow things down. Cake table- cake,forks, napkins & maybe couple of small containers of flowers, any canoes available?? How about a couple of child sized moccasins. Make them out of felt & bead on the front of them(glue or sew on) put a plastic container in where foot should go with low arrangement of fall flowers. Your idea of memories or quotes is good, make that a game where you pass out rough paper in rawhide or beige color & ask them to write something for bride & groom would need pens or pencils to write with but advice, favorite memory about couple or "how to get through the net 25 yrs" would be fun & interesting memory of the party. Only thought is be sure things are pretty secure in case of wind, would heat be a problem, might consider a tarp or 2 to shade some areas if you have trees or house you can anchor them on. Home Depot has brown ones that are nice & last quite well. Also have beige colored 6 ft wide shade cloth that can be anchored with long high wires to higher trees or close to roof so have some shade. It's sold in rolls 100 ft long or shorter 6 ft by 20 ft long. smaller rolls are $29. I think, I shade parts of my yard & makes a big difference. Sounds like a fun party!

You know what Patty, if it isn't meaningful to you then don't do it. There are a lot of wedding traditions I think are plain dumb (throwing the bouquet, the garter, the cheesy way the wedding party is usually introduced) that I chose not to do. Purpose? How much of it really has a purpose? Why wear a white dress, a veil? Why do any of it? Just go to City Hall and exchange vows. Or don't get married at all, what's the purpose of that? In my case, making my father happy is purpose enough for me. Every wedding I attended between 1986 and 2007 the father walked the bride down the aisle, except in the few cases where the father had passed away. These brides ranged in age from 21 to 38. I went to a few wedding where the bride was older and it was a second or third marriage. In those cases the fathers had all passed away. The bride was escorted by her son in one case. What's the purpose of that? I doubt very much that the father walking the bride down the aisle is a "local phemonenon" here, especially since I live in an area where women are highly educated and often don't change their names (as I didn't).

When my husband of 25 years and I married we had a small family wedding at our church. At the end of the ceremony my 9 yr old daughter came and stood with us while the minister did the closing prayer. My daughter walked out of the church with us and our family began. My husband, unbeknown to me, had bought my daughter a gold band with a very small diamond. When we got in the hallway he stopped me and said he had something special for her. He ask her if she would wear this ring and told her he would love her as much as he loved me and would always be there for her. She has always loved him and respected him and is now the mother of our first grandchild. When she married 6 years ago she had a afternoon garden wedding with a very nice outdoor reception. She did not want any entertainment since it was an afternoon wedding so we had a harpist to "set the mood". That night the guest were invited to join us on the veranda of the hotel for an evening of "ghost stories". We were in an old historic hotel in Alabama which was situated on the Alabama River. There had been an early evening thunderstorm and there was mist rising on the river. I had put votive candles out and had light refreshments prepared. The story teller was a known author of ghost books, has written over 60 books. I can remember her from when I was in middle school and she would come and tell stories. I have also seen her at many arts festivals preforming. My daughter also knew her growing up as a story teller. My only request of her was to keep the stories about happy or good ghost, due to the children that would be present. Anyway, she told ghost stories for about 1 1/2 and everyone was totally amused by her. She presented the bride and groom with a buckeye to keep in their pocket. Guests are still talking about the wedding where a story teller was there. She must be in her 90's now and still going strong.

"Isn't it convenient to be able to pick and choose which wrongs you want to pretend are right!!! " That's exactly what you are doing... How about divorce? and I am not pretending it's right. In my mind there is nothing outrageous or wrong about what I am doing... especially since I'm doing it with the support of my family. And I don't agree that "society in general" shares this opinion, not in this day and age. Who decides what is the "right thing"? Religion? so what if I'm not a "bible thumper" (stings, huh?)... then what's right? Should I follow the example the church is sending me? Sexually abusing little boys... where is your morality there? If you can't look to your CHURCH for guidance, then I guess what you consider good morals may be up for debate. How about the preacher's daughter who was having sex with the two employees of the AZ fire department? (check the news) I'm sure her father tried to do the best he could in her upbringing, being a preacher and all, but you see with kids it can go either way. You just have to hope for the best and do the best you can as parents. (I went to private catholic school for 10 years... and attended church every Sunday... I have nothing against the church personally). I'm not trying to convince you it's "the right way"... I was just saying you don't have to be so mean about how you speak to others. Religion should have tought you at least that? People on these posts are just asking for help, not to be judged on their morals. I've read other posts and I've seen your comments to others. It seems whenever you have the opportunity to attack someone on "lack of morals" you don't hesitate... and you know very well that it's hurtful, especially the way you say it... with disgust. My children will all grow up just fine, thank you, with a brain to make their own decisions and live their lives how they think is best, and I hope within reason. All we do is try and hope they all turn out ok. We are responsible adults and we are raising responsible children. One thing is for sure, they will learn "tolerance", which is something my parents taught me, and you have yet to learn. Don't want to fight with you... just asking you to be a little kinder. If you have helpful advice for me, I welcome it... if you just want to get online and look for a reason to call me "shack up", then "society" will see just what kind of moral person you are. OZ