makelifehappen's Green wedding

So clearly our choice to marry in another country on the other side of the world. I get that we have created our own madness in that way:)

However, I am wanting to have an outdoor wedding and have not booked venue. We wanted something earthy and picturesque and that is exactly what we are getting. The City is cool with us marrying wherever we want and there is no need for a permit to have an outdoor ceremony like there is here in Toronto.

So, we hope to arrive spend a few days scoping the area out and well...just stumble across the location:)

That said, there are so many things to consider with this such as:

Isles
Isle runners
lack of seating
weather
time of day
decor?
music?
Programs?
etc....

We have opted for a Humanist ceremony which will allow us to plan the entire ceremony to suit our interests, style and tastes and so far I have been thinking...

It is just us, the two kids and a friend of ours (whom we are bringing along to care for the kids while we enjoy Europe)

The Officiant and her SO

Perhaps I do not need an isles, but instead can send the two girls down a pathway ahead of me spreading flower petals in our colour scheme and have them take a seat on bunches of fairy-coloured tulle near the Officiant?

Our oldest has alot of gross and fine motor control issues, tires easily and would really struggle standing through a ceremony. Perhaps this would be helpful to keep the little one from wanting to run free, also:)

We opted out of a photographer there, as we continuously stumbled across the photojournalist type and well, there is no need for 18 hours of photography at $5000 Euro's for a small intimate affair! Instead we have opted for a more edgey, vibrant phtographer here in Ontario.

Do you all think it is insane for me to load up a suitcase with "props", ipod dock/speakers, candle holders to create a "pathway", SLR for our own photography, tiara's, parasols, wands, etc??

We were thinking of making Program Fans, but change the content to prompt for involvement in the ceremony. We would like my daughter and friend to do a reading each and these would really help our daughter keep focused, I think.

I thought it'd be cool to send the announcements from France, but I am not going to have my photo session until we return...should I wait for those do you think?

What about a "lighter" alternative to the wrought iron tealight holders that I am completely in love with as the "pathway" edge...Any thoughts?

I would love to trust that I would land in France and find all that I was hoping for, but I am NOT THAT INSANE!

But at the same time, how does one arrange to have what they want without booking a venue and paying the planner without having to do these things, right?

So, that said...I have a florist, a hair salon, restaurant, the officiant (flying over from Ireland!!! *shakes head*), the holiday homes and seperate wedding night quarters booked...etc...

Thoughts?

Anything else I might be missing out?

Anyone else taking a bunch of things over to a destination wedding?

(Eeeeek!!! gonna have to strap it all to my back and trek through Europe at this rate!)

Anything you have to offer would be hugely appreciated:)