I need some advice with some thought behind it.

[bigirl_inwv]

My fiance and I are planning our wedding. As of today, we pretty much had accomplished nothing. We had a general idea, but nothing that was cast in stone.
Today, there was a media luncheon for the minor league baseball team in our area. I was talking to the general manager about the upcoming wedding and how stressful the planning was when he said "I can get it all for free." Of course, this made me extremely curious. What exactly could he get for free? According to him, he could get it all. Bridal dress, bridesmaids/flowergirl dresses, all tuxedos, limo rental, wedding cake, flowers, etc.
Of course there was one condition. I would have to have my wedding at home plate on the baseball field the night of one of their home games.
Apparently they would put our picture in the program and have the icons of the sponors who donated all the stuff placed around our picture.

Now, this sounds like a great idea in theory. It would save us thousands of dollars in wedding planning and we would be married on the field of a team that we both love. But I'm still a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. Of course, there are still questions that I have to ask, we were both there to work, not talk about my wedding, so we didn't really have time to discuss specifics. I've made a list of questions that I need to ask him, such as what if it rains, how involved in the decision process would I be...things like that. I plan on calling him tomorrow and speaking with him more in depth about it.

But for now, what do you guys think? Everyone else I have asked is all for it, but I think they are only looking at the money factor and I want a little bit more in depth thought process behind it all. Or can you think of other questions that I should ask.........anything helps!!!!

[Herbwoman39]

Yeah from a money point of view it sounds like a helluva deal.

But then this begs the question; when you were a little girl did you dream of walking down the base line to home plate? Tradition aside, what do YOU want? If money were not an issue, would you still consider getting married at the ball park? Would you be proud to show off your wedding pictures from there? How much of this is a promotional gimick for these guys? Are you okay with your wedding being used to sell seats to a game?

I think you already know the answer to these questions.

Someone once told me that if you have to ask the question, you aqlready know the answer.

Good luck sweetie. This is a hard decision.

[mikeiam4]

My honest thought is that you shouldn't do it. I know the money factor is a big factor, believe me, I do know that. But if you don't do the wedding the way YOU want to, you will probably regret it for a very long time. A wedding is a once in a lifetime (or twice... well, ok, uncommon). Do you want your memories of that day to be an endorsment so that you can save some money? Personally, before I did that, unless of course you are keen on the idea in general, I would wait a year or so to have the wedding when I could afford to do it the way I want. If not everything perfect because of lack of money, then at least its your way, not the coaches. Just my :2cents:

[rochester69ny]

Both you and your fiance need to sit down and discuss this seriously. If your motivation to go ahead and do this is all about the money, I would say don't do it. The savings is not worth the compromise.
On the other hand, this is a fairly unique opportunity to get married at the ballpark in front of thousands of people. I'm sure all the local TV News crews will be there for the big event as well. It would certainly be an opportunity for a very memorable occasion. How many couples have program souviniers of their wedding? News clippings, photos, and other promotional items combined with your personal photographs will make unique memories to last your entire lives.
If any couple could walk in to the ballpark and rent the stadium for their wedding before a ballgame, would you do it? Would you pay to be able to get married there? If so, go for it. If not, go elsewhere.
If some people question a reception of hot dogs, beer, and pretzels, perhaps you can use the money saved on an extra special reception! :)

[greg232a]

just a thought from a guys point of view to get married at home plate of your fav ball team HOW COOL IS THAT! definately look at the option closely good luck greg

[DeafF2M]

Well, I gotta admit... for a publicity stunt, it's a cool idea.. I don't know many baseball teams that would go for a wedding on the ballfield. LOL

You know, dream weddings are what YOU make it. For most people, it's in a church... for others, it's on a beach, or in a park. For some, it could be at an amusement park, if it is something BOTH people are passionate about. If you and your fiancee are that passionate about your baseball team, then go for it, but if it's not your ideal place for a wedding, then don't.

Publicity aside, it's all about you and your fiancee.

My 2 :2cents:

[TorontoGuy2007]

i don't think i would ever want myself being used as a publicity stunt. nor do i want my pics all over a baseball magazine, but that's just me..

if you really love this team and if the idea really seems like fun, then give it a go.. just take lots of time to think about this and decide if this is really what you want..

[welickit]

Dam! I must be getting old. I didn't know West Virginia had a major league team.

[orangecrush]

If it was me and baseball was my thing (along with my partner) I'd do it in a hot second! It sounds really, really fun!

It also sounds like no other wedding I've ever been to, like a memory that would last in the minds of your friends and family for years to come.

Forget all that nonsense about what you imagined your wedding would be like when you were a little girl (I don't know about you, but a lot of my childhood fantasies would be a disaster in real life). Think about happy bridesmaids NOT floating in sherbet colored taffeta. Think about smiling groomsmen in baseball caps. Think about how every detail would be an opportunity to make the day something both you and your husband would love and talk about for years to come.

Then again, if I ever have a ceremony, I am so booking the planetarium in my town... consequently, you may want to take my advice with a grain of salt.

Best Wishes and Good Luck,
Heather

[12voltman59]

Eveyone has made some good points--the big thing you and your fiance have to ask yourselves is: "Do we really want to get married at a baseball park?'

That is the biggest one--after that--I would ask the technical questions of the team's PR person or manager who (sorry for the pun), pitched this proposal to you.

If you guys do decide you will go for it--have them make it very clear all of the issues regarding the food, pictures, etc. to the point of getting it in writing.

As a professional organization--they should want to do that for your piece of mind and to cover themselves in terms of legal and financial responsibilites--if they don't want to provide the details in writing----then DO NOT DO IT!!!

With all of the various ways that people have gotten married relating to marketing ploys--this is hardly anything very unusual and I even seem to recall on several occasions seeing weddings such as this at ball parks-now whether the wedding was paid for by the team or the bride and groom--I don't know.

I would think it to be a fun and memorable way to get married and I would say if I had a lady who was into it--I would not hesitate to do it.


Lord knows-I have been to some weddings performed in some odd places and the receptions held in dingy, smoky, flourescent lit K of C, Eagles, VFW, or other such organizations' halls---places I sure would not want to celebrate my wedding at. I find such weddings to be kinda sad and not a good way to kick things off.

Getting married at a baseball park sounds pretty cool to me!!! My vote is to go for it if the details can be worked out!!!!!

Have FUN!!!

Depending on whether its a slow news day or not--videos of your wedding might make onto local newscasts all over the country and on the Internet!!!!!

[NorthBiEast]

You mention that you were there for a work luncheon, but you are close enough to the manager to be talking about personal stuff and for him to make the offer. Clearly, this team is something near and dear to you, but I would also question how wise it is to mix business with pleasure. Is it going to hurt your work standing to be getting into arguments over who gets creative license?

To quote my mum; It doesn't matter where, or when, or if it goes off without a hitch, at the end of the day, you're just as married, so don't stress about the details.

I woke up that morning with Pinkeye, so I couldn't see. I couldn't find my dress shoes until almost too late. It started out muggy and sunny, wound up starting to rain just as we finished our outdoor vows. I have a great picture of me dancing barefoot on a rock in the rain in my wedding dress. It was a perfect day.

Whatever you decide, you will have a day that is special and perfect for YOU, even if it isn't out of a fairytale.

:bigrin:

[twonewcomers]

There are other ways to get your wedding to be just what you want it to be. My husband and I dated for 14 years before we got married. We consulted with both our families and to our surprise we found them to be most helpful, With the famillies help we had the largest wedding in our church's history, over three hundred people at the reception and it only cost us about two thousand dollars. This was possible because it was agreed that we would accept their help, examples: his mother catered the ceremony, the bridesmades helped to pay for the food, uncle pd for beer pop etc, brother-wine,aunt-made.....etc.
The thing to remember is that you love your fiance and you will, with a lot of hard work and luck, only be doing this once so make it the day you dreamed of as a child.