Necessary or unnecessary?

We did bouquets and bouts because our bridal party is small, and STDs because my grandparents were freaking out when we didn't send invites at the 9 month mark (apparently they NEEDED to plan ahead even though they knew the date and never go out of town... lol). Our invites are going out mid-August (ya know, the standard 2 months).

Skipped programs and favors.

I did save the dates but the way I did them was postcard style with our picture. So many people said they wanted prints of our engagement photos so now they have prints! But we are skipping programs. I'm doing cups as favors, I found some real inexpensive and frankly we need to buy some anyway.

None of it is necessary except to become legally married.

I was literally just thinking about this last night. I was going through other wedding photos from our photographer and had it dawn on me that it makes no sense that we carry around a big bunch of flowers.. like why? What is the purpose of bouquets? HAHA

Totally agree!

To be quite honest, getting married isn't necessary. It's a choice like everything else, except death and taxes.

I totally agree. We just need to legally get married, eat and have alcohol.

STDs no, programs no, favors no, bouquet and boutineers, yes.

I'm thinking about only having my MOH,Me,Best Man,and FH having bouquets and boutonnieres.

There are a lot of things here. I am having a DW, save the dates were optional but necessary for my crew.

We are not doing favors. We are having a photobooth and our guests will take photos with them if they would like.

We will not be doing stupid BM robes and random things like that.

We are not doing programs or menus (they will have a meal selection on their response).

We are doing silk flowers. I would love real flowers but I cannot justify the cost.

I am not doing anything because anyone wants me to do it. I am doing what I want to do.

Necessary - Feeding your guests for a mealtime wedding/reception.

Necessary - providing drink options your guests do not have to pay for.

Unnecessary - photobooth, flowers, fancy dress, tux, etc.

I didn't have save the dates and we aren't having programs at our wedding. Wedding favors = chapstick made by a friend of mine.

Everything you said can be scrapped for that exact reason you mentioned. We did get save the dates because we are having a DW and we are doing flowers for the bridal party, but everything else is scratched. It's unnecessary and sometimes even irritating. If I get one more personalized wedding koozie, I might flip out. I have enough for everyone at my wedding to have one.

Agree!!!

Totally agree about favors and programs! I liked save the dates just because we could show people some of our e-pics and I like flowers so we will do those.

I think there is certainly a LOT that is unnecessary. I'm skipping a lot of "traditional" or "expected" stuff like:

Save the dates, fancy invitations with response cards (doing online RSVP only), favors, extravagant flowers (will likely only do bouquet & bout), programs, coordinated dances, first dance, father/daughter dance (basically all of the ones that aren't just... get out on the dance floor and shimmy), aisle processional, lots of kissy pictures, bouquet toss, garter.... and if anyone clinks their glasses I will take their drink away. (Kidding! But seriously... )

I'm sure I'm missing things that I'll be missing. LOL. I mean really I just want to party with my people. In a fancy dress.

Feed me, drink me, and let me watch you get married by an officiant. Oh yea, and don't make me sweat or freeze. That's it. And yes, you have to invite people but it's not worth spending too much on stationery. Everything is absolutely unnecessary. Like flowers are unnecessary, favors, save the dates, and whatnot. That's all I ask at a wedding. Nothing else is necessary. You don't need videography or photography. You don't need a florist. You don't need a cake. It's about the celebration of marriage. Not the wedding.