lots of questions... just starting out

hey guys. i'm new to the forums. you all soudn relaly helpful and supportive. i'm the first of my friends to be getting married. needless to say i don't know anything!
how do you ask your maids to be in the wedding?
can you really negotiate with catering halls?
is it that much cheaper to have a backyard wedding once you add up renting tents, tables, chairs etc..?
what is teh best etiquette when the bride and groom (us) will have a child around 4 1/2 at the time of our wedding??? how can we tastefully include him in a church ceremony?

thank for answering ANY of these many questions... i'm sure i'll have more!!

oh yeah... when is the best time to get married so that you can get somewhat cheaper prices???

I dont know very much more then you do, but my SIL is getting married next year and she has a 5 year old, and he is going to stand with her during the ceremony. There is an aarticle (somewhere) abou thow to include your children when you are getting married, i will search for it and let you know. Some of the ideas are really cute and sweet, Good Luck planning!

Some catering halls will negotiate will you, others will tell you straight out that there is no negotiation. The peak time for weddings that will highest in price are from end of April through October. Any other months you could probably get a much cheaper price.

Welcome to the boards! Good Luck and Happy Planning!

Hi and welcome!! You are definately at the RIGHT place for help!!! I knew NOTHING about weddings!! but since being engaged since :::gasp::: 2003
I actually learned ALOT from these web sites (here and the knot).

One way to ask your bridesmaids that Ive seen and thought was pretty cute is by making personalized cards- be as creative as you can be. They also have a poem that goes with it that the brides often write in the cards (something like' in a little while Fi and I will walk down the aisle' and it goes on but i forgot how it goes -im sorry!! You can ask BHB board -im sure someone has it!!!)

Hope this helped a bit!!!

PS. I have only been to maybe 5 weddings in my life so as you can imagine I can totally relate to you!!!



Congratulations on your engagement and welcome once again!!!