Just Introducing Myself!!

Congratulations on the engagement!

No one is hurtful and hateful to each other here, it's literally against the rules, so asking for people not to say hurtful things is just being extra and makes me wonder how sensitive you are about your ideas and wedding plans.

People will be blunt and completely honest about ideas that are crappy. Which is a good thing.

There are lots of young brides here, I am one of them. No one will judge you for your age (as long as you're legal to get married) but maturity is a different standard, and it's the one that really matters, whether or not your "heart is in the right place."

Welcome to WW, you will get lots of helpful, great advice, as long as you can listen and accept opinions different from your own.

Happy planning!

Congratulations and welcome to WW!! I personally think June 9 is a fantastic date to plan for

In terms of venues, many people looking for cheaper venues look for just a hall where it's all DIY. But keep in mind that you'll have to rent everything (linens, flatware, catering, etc.) as well as set up and tear down everything yourself. We found that prices were comparable at venues which included set up, tear down, and catering. Since catering will be the most expensive, the easiest way to have an inexpensive wedding will be to have one will a small guest list. Start by thinking about your budget and approximately how many people you'd want to invite and then start searching for venues!

How young are we talking?

Nothing is wrong with a long engagement. It gives you both time to save and grow up a little before making a huge life decision.

Also, DIY venues usually tend to be on the more expensive side. Remember, rentals add up in cost.

@K.M. I am 19 and my fiancé is 21. A long engagement was initially the plan but seeing as how deployment can happen at any time and also we have loved ones who are nearing the end of their journey we would like to do it as soon as possible so we can include them. With the military as long as we are legally married, and she is stationed in the U.S. (and there is other things, the list is long) but I could go with her and live on base. Also they pay you more once you're married (doesn't matter much to us).

I always ask this and no one ever answers but do you walk up to a group of strangers, introduce yourself, and ask them not to be rude to you?

Hi Shannon, I'm also a young bride but try not to be too sensitive to criticism on here. I've found that if you're going to post on the forums you have to be prepared for people to disagree and critique your ideas. Try not to let it offend you.

That's really exciting that your fiancé is getting back from deployment in a week. My fiancé is also in the military so we're in a long distance relationship at the moment. He's in training so no deployment yet thankfully.

I hope you take advantage of WW and find it useful in planning your wedding, especially since you're going to be doing it alone. The users here are very helpful and offer great advice and critique.

@Steph we have the same wedding date!!! I'm aware catering is the most expensive thing, which is why we frequently are thinning out our guest list. Seeing as how my fiancé as been gone since the day after she proposed we haven't talked much about it, but I'm just collecting ideas because she will be home soon!

As much as I didn't want to wait, our engagement will be 2 years so we can save money. If you can't wait your best option is too keep your guest list small.

@RealLindseyO thats a great point... Never thought about it like that LOL

Congrats and welcome! Since you are wanting to get into the business, I think you should just start utilizing the vendor tabs on here and doing a lot of research. There are many ways to have an inexpensive wedding without being cheap, but the best way to do it is to have a small guest list. Just enjoy all the research and planning and good luck!

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What's up with this, WW?

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Https://iriematrimony.com/wedding-planners-st-thomas-wedding/

The above is an experienced wedding planner's blog about her own recent wedding. You may find it helpful.

I think maybe OP said "no hate comments" instead of "no hateful comments" because it's a SS marriage and she probably does feel like she has to preface her introduction with something like that because of things she has experienced in the past. I may be reading too much into it though.

Welcome! Happy planning!

Welcome to WW! You'll learn a lot here I have already and I've? only been on here for 2 weeks.

Most of you aren't realizing the reason I put no hateful comments... but yes to the people who did guess. Lots of people are rude towards SS marriage and it's quite annoying. In fact I take criticism very well and prefer people to be as honest as they can be. I didn't want to write "don't hate on the fact that I'm gay" sounds kinda odd to me so I put a general statement not thinking it would be a huge deal...

A big thing here is not telling others how to post because we are very blunt sometimes and people love to freak out and call us rude when we are just being honest and following etiquette, so it usually doesn't go over well, even in a situation like yours where it's justified. The flip side of that is that if anyone so much as side eyed you being gay they would be banished faster than they could blink. It's a safe place, as long as you don't self cater or have a cash bar!

Congrats and welcome to WeddingWire Shannon!!

Have you started looking through WW's venue search? That's the best place to find wedding venues and read reviews from past clients. Also don't rule out venue's that include catering! I technically didn't "pay" anything for my venue rental, because I far exceed the food and beverage ordering minimum

https://www.weddingwire.com/shared/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&l=y&cid=11&category=Ceremony+%26+Reception+Venue&geo=Worcester%2C+MA&commit=Find+Vendors

Do you have a certain type of venue style you like?

WeddingWire Venue Guide