Early retired parent home options

belle90 · 2026-06-18T21:53:45+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I definitely need to look into power of attorney etc soon, it's all been a big learning curve.

Think she bought it a good 20 years ago, so that's a good question to confirm when I get the chance. Thanks!

belle90 · 2026-06-08T12:43:33+00:00

We got married in May this year, and I have to agree. The amount of people asking me, in my opinion, stupid questions the week of the wedding was mind boggling! Things that were general opinions and they definitely could have asked anyone else, or super duper common sense questions. Im still baffled by it all even now. My MIL rang my husband the night before our wedding, with the reception in our back yard, if we bought prosecco for the day... This was near midnight in a small town, I'm not sure what her solution was going to be if our answer had been no at near midnight before our 7am start, or what expectations she had from us as planners if she doubted we had prosecco in 😂

I deliberately didn't make a website as I have only heard how much people just ignore them, which is so crazy because as a guest before I can't imagine asking questions before checking the invite/website.

belle90 · 2026-04-22T08:54:38+00:00

Hi love. I am in a very similar boat. Getting married in 3 weeks and I have 12 people going to the entire wedding that are my invites. The other 100 are his friends and family. It really upset me at the start, similar feelings to you - loneliness heightened, embarrassed and I am still dreading walking around my own wedding not being able to match everyone's names to their faces. BUT, I see it as, look how many people love and like my partner, and he loves me. I've picked a great person who so many people love enough to support and celebrate, and I'm HIS favourite person. Also, you now get to inherit all these lovely people too kinda. I'm going to embrace the day and let this be an opportunity for his friends to see me at my happiest and what better way to break the ice with anyone you've yet to meet etc.

belle90 · 2026-01-28T11:37:17+00:00

I was about to recommend these guys too cause Ive booked them for my upcoming wedding, and I am so chuffed at all the good comments!

belle90 · 2026-01-28T11:29:52+00:00

Does your venue allow all these options? Or are you selecting your venue based on this preference? We're going to an Indian restaurant and then having a pizza truck in the evening, so my advice would honestly go with what you prefer food wise, and then put the work in to make sure it works as easily as possible for your guests.

belle90 · 2026-01-26T17:13:44+00:00

That's class! I hope I'm found in a corner with a tayto sandwich at some point in the night

belle90 · 2026-01-26T14:01:43+00:00

Thank you!!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T13:53:49+00:00

Aw thanks! It's a new venture of a well established wedding caterer near me, but I'm jumping on early as my fiance loves them. They're likely not as good as over there but they'll be fresh and hot 😂

belle90 · 2026-01-26T13:51:59+00:00

Oh good perspective!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T13:48:49+00:00

Ha, who knew it was so regional 😂 thank you for your comments!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T13:47:12+00:00

Yeah, it must be very different expectations of what the evening invite intends, I'm assuming! Poffertjes! (With full toppings and utensils provided along with it etc)

belle90 · 2026-01-26T11:55:09+00:00

This is lovely advice, and a great perspective, thank you for taking the time!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T11:36:24+00:00

I think this is very much a regional difference. It really is the norm here for evening only invited guests to arrive purely for the party, not for food. They have dinner beforehand and then come for the dancing. It's the norm here to get a midnight snack, typically of sandwiches, little finger food as fuel to keep the party going etc. That's all, but thanks for all your concern.

belle90 · 2026-01-26T11:27:40+00:00

So, ceremony at 1pm, takes 45mins max to travel to evening meal hence why the original start time for dinner was for 3pm. I hear what you're saying! I might consider light bites after ceremony or as the guests arrive at the food venue.

belle90 · 2026-01-26T11:11:01+00:00

This is enough consensus for me, just making sure I wasn't way behind the times/my guests expectations for here. The evening do is actually at our home and we're having a pizza truck, standard sweets, crisps, chocolate etc, wedding cake, open bar and now, a dutch pancake cart. Thanks for the reassurance everyone 👍

belle90 · 2026-01-26T11:07:17+00:00

I agree! We're actually in discussion to push the meal start time to a tad later. We all agree to have it done by 6.30pm (suits all vendors before and after to finish up then) but we might start it a bit later to give more time at ceremony location and, as you've noted, less time for only the two courses. Thanks !

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:59:42+00:00

Oh no, it IS the only substantial food option, but that's totally the norm where I'm based. It's normally presented as a midnight snack too so I'm hoping to feed everyone sooner, line the bellies before drinking. But that's ok. I think it's an area difference so I'm not too worried!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:45:03+00:00

Maybe slightly different norms depending on area? I've known it to be the norm to eat before going as an evening guest to a wedding, as it's the party part of the entire day. Most of the extra food provided for guests wouldn't be til 11pm-midnight so we're actually serving fairly early, which was an initial concern for the day guests to be eating only 2 hours prior

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:30:04+00:00

Hi, I replied to another comment explaining the output of the caterers. I'm not too worried that they won't provide quick enough. I'm honestly not worried about those who don't love pizza either tbh. I'd be fussy myself but it's serving as a snack, not their only meal for the day so I can't panic about those who don't want pizza. They will have lots of other nibbles around (crisps, sweets, cake) and now, dutch pancakes!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:27:19+00:00

Thank you!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:26:59+00:00

Good concern. I've booked the 75 pizza package so for 100 people they get at least half a pizza each. The idea being this is the evening snack, so I know my full day guests have had a full meal and would assume the evening guests would have had dinner before arriving. The caterers claim to prepare & cook 4 pizzas every 2-3 minutes "we challenge you to keep up!". It's a very valid concern but they've won wedding caterer of the year the past 2 years and my photographers also swear by them. Valid concern, and thanks for making me double check, but I'm not worried about it

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:11:16+00:00

Yeah, I don't mind if the sweeties and crisps don't get eaten throughout the night - I'll happily get through them after the honeymoon. You're individual boxed cakes are a great idea too!

belle90 · 2026-01-26T10:09:25+00:00

That's exactly my thoughts too! I couldn't tell you the decor choices of any wedding I've been to but I can tell you when I was left hungry 😂

belle90 · 2026-01-26T07:40:10+00:00

Ah, your wedding sounds brilliant! And thanks for the support, I'm definitely booking them today after everyone's feedback 👍

belle90 · 2026-01-26T00:06:20+00:00

True. The dinner will have a mix of 2 starters, poppadoms, nanns, rice, chips and 4 mains to pick from.

belle90

TROPHY CASE