Well . . . ok . . . twist my arm why doncha’! I love showing this dress!! eBay never lets me down. 
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4047602&a=30306804&f=0
P.S. My chest is not nearly that big. I have to get the dress tailored. Or as my mom says “Use LOTS of tissues.” 
I think that there’s one important caveat to be made about having a small wedding/having an informal one/eloping. I don’t think this applies to anyone who’s posted in this thread, but I have heard of people who have made this mistake. The rule you should use is “Don’t expect other people to take your wedding more seriously than you do.” If you want a small wedding, or an informal wedding, or to elope, that’s fine. Don’t expect people who aren’t invited to the wedding to give you wedding gifts though (and don’t tell them that you only want money). Don’t expect quite as expensive wedding gifts if you have an informal ceremony. If you elope, don’t expect any wedding gifts.
I don’t think anyone in this thread has made this mistake, but I have heard of people doing this. They seemed to think that the wedding existed purely so that they could acquire gifts. They seemed to think that people owed them money simply because they were getting married, even though they hadn’t even invited them to the wedding or had had an informal wedding. Even if you hold a big, formal wedding, nobody owes you anything. They are giving you gifts out of the goodness of their hearts.
I think that there’s one important caveat to be made about having a small wedding/having an informal one/eloping. I don’t think this applies to anyone who’s posted in this thread, but I have heard of people who have made this mistake. The rule you should use is “Don’t expect other people to take your wedding more seriously than you do.” If you want a small wedding, or an informal wedding, or to elope, that’s fine. Don’t expect people who aren’t invited to the wedding to give you wedding gifts though (and don’t tell them that you only want money). Don’t expect quite as expensive wedding gifts if you have an informal ceremony. If you elope, don’t expect any wedding gifts.
I don’t think anyone in this thread has made this mistake, but I have heard of people doing this. They seemed to think that the wedding existed purely so that they could acquire gifts. They seemed to think that people owed them money simply because they were getting married, even though they hadn’t even invited them to the wedding or had had an informal wedding. Even if you hold a big, formal wedding, nobody owes you anything. They are giving you gifts out of the goodness of their hearts.
I know that I didn’t push the submit button twice. That double post wasn’t my fault.
My philosophy on gifts is: if we receive any, that will be cool, but if we don’t, that will be cool too.
We’d much rather have a good meal and drinks with our friends and family than gifts, which is how we want to design the reception.
Hmmm…Here’s my plan, for now (mind you, I’m nowhere near getting married - I think the rule is that someone else has to be the to get married to, right? )
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Simple, white wedding dress, empire waist. No poufs, no sequins, no beading. Embroidery is as fancy as I’m getting with the decorations. No veil. A simple hair piece (a couple of jeweled barrettes, maybe) in an up-do will be fine. I’ll do my own make-up & tell the bridesmaids to do theirs. If I have any time, I’ll help 'em out.
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Him in a nice suit, no tie necessary. Nice, regular shoes.
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Bridesmaids in simple dresses or pantsuits in the color family that I specify (if they don’t like the blue, they can get the green or purple); well-appointed, but not finery-fancy. I’ll pick up the dress tab if I can. Flats are fine for shoes - whatever shoes they have to match the dress. Ushers/best man in nice slacks & button-down shirts, everything in the same color family. I could do without boutonieres.
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Civil ceremony, hopefully outdoors. I have a place available when/if I ever decide to wed.
I’d get nice invitations & favors, but nothing chokingly expensive, & my love & I would pick the freakin’ flowers for the tables ourselves.
It’d have to be a highly-populated reception - I have a lot of family & friends whom I would want to attend. Hence, I’d have to get a caterer. No frou-frou food, though. Real food, baby. And a band.
That having been said, I’ve already gotten promises from my two best girlfriends that they won’t torture me as a bridesmaid. We’ll see.
Oh, I forgot; open bar, baby! And no arranged seating, no way. How are people supposed to flirt?
My wedding plans:
Engagement #1: big frilly plans. 100 guests. All the details colour-coordinated. Failed engagement.
Engagement #2: small frilly plans. 100 guests. Arguments over JP vs Anglican priest (Episcopalian for those living below the 49th parallel). Failed engagement.
Engagement #3 - nowhere in sight. But I’d rather a down payment on a home than the Big Bang. I think it would be neat that the housewarming party be the wedding reception, though.
I notice that every time I go through the mill, I get more realistic.
CrazyCatLady – I’ve seen you on UW. My screenname there is JessJames. I got addicted to that message board 2 years ago while helping a good friend plan her huge princess wedding. I love etiquette, and I quickly became fascinated by the mindset over there. Some days I come away thinking that princess-brides are a completely different species than regular people. The ‘Love’ stamp furor is an excellent example of the type of thread that causes me to think that.
Jess
I visited theknot.com when I was planning my wedding and I couldn’t believe the freak-outs going on there! We ended up getting a wedding planner and getting married in Maui. We had thirteen people (including us) attend the ceremony and it was just the best time! I spent $99 on my dress, and we splurged on the “reception”. We paid for everyone’s dinner at a local golf course’s clubhouse and had an open bar. Since we had square announcements, our stamps had frogs or something on them. I’m a firm believer of the phrase, “don’t sweat it”.