unimoko Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Hi all, I have another question for you all. My fiance and I are happy to get married but unsure on wheter or not to have a wedding or elope. Both of us are barely out of college (I just graduated in May and my fiance graduated from grad school 2 years ago). We both have a smack load of college loans, car debt, as well as other activites. My hubby-to-be said that I would regret not having a wedding but I don't want to start my marriage swimming in debt. Is it possible to have a cheap weddding these days? -unimoko Link to post Share on other sites
Outcast Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Anything's possible. You can have the wedding at your home or the home of friends and have a catering party beforehand where you and your friends and relatives prepare whatever you want to serve. You can have a dessert and wine reception only and buy enough wine for a glass per person. You don't have to invite everyone on the planet. Or, you can save a little extra for a few years and have a slightly more elaborate bash. Link to post Share on other sites
RainyDayWoman Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Anything's possible. You can have the wedding at your home or the home of friends and have a catering party beforehand where you and your friends and relatives prepare whatever you want to serve. You can have a dessert and wine reception only and buy enough wine for a glass per person. You don't have to invite everyone on the planet. Or, you can save a little extra for a few years and have a slightly more elaborate bash. these are all good ideas. i am going to a wedding on saturday at a dry church camp. the guests are required to walk a mile into the woods and sit on tree stumps and logs. they are not having extravangant food (a pig roast and beef) and since it is dry, there will be no alcohol bill. it is a very casual affair. this is the opposite of what i want for my wedding, and honestly, i don't even want to go to it. but this is what the bride and groom want, and what they could afford, even with help. so this is what goes. and i'll be happy for them regardless, as should all their guests. choose something that makes you happy and doesn't require a boatload of cash. your guests will deal with it, and if they don't, oh well--it's your day. also, is there anyone who would be willing to help you? you didn't mention anything about parents. Link to post Share on other sites
HokeyReligions Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Why not just have a very small party? You could go to the JP or have a judge or minister come to your place for a very simple ceremony and then have a pizza party or BBQ or something simple like that? You don't have to have a big wedding now -- you can always renew your vows on your 5th anniversary and have the big wedding party then. It will mean just as much, if not more, without all that debt hanging over your heads and it will be a celebration of five successful years too! Link to post Share on other sites
Author unimoko Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 My future in-laws offered to pay for a cruise ship for the wedding/honeymoon but I know most people couldn't afford to go on the trip as well. I just want another way to include my family and other friends Link to post Share on other sites
Artifact Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 A wedding can be done very cheaply. Just keep it simple. We payed a little for the location for our ceremony and the minister, then took everyone out to an amazing chinese restaurant where we all laughed and ate heaps of food. My dad bought some drinks at the bar before the luncheon, and we had family style eating- fixed price. Pretty much just invite those who you really care about (I think we ended up with around 30) and have a small ceremony at your home or at a local park/ community center, or wherever. Have some appetizers, or cater it yourselves if there are few enough people. Some receptions are only cake and punch. (Just try to avoid the dinner hour if that's the case!) Think about what is special to you and your fiance, then include them in your low budget affair. It is entirely possible! You can make your own invitations, wear whatever you want, tie ribbons around all the shrubs. Whatever. Link to post Share on other sites
Thinkalot Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 oh i agree- you can make your wedding wonderful and personal and unique and affordable by making things yourself, adding your own touches...keeping it small and simple. Link to post Share on other sites
bab Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 I've been dealing with similar issues. I skipped out on a lot of stuff growing up, and I'm scared I'll regret not doing a blowout deal, but I'm cheap. In my quest for a cheap wedding, here's what I've come up with: 1. Some local restaurants will cater buffet style for a TON less than an actual caterer. They may do it with paper plates, and if that bothers you, you can rent china too. 2. Bring in your own alcohol. If you go with option 1. this shouldn't be a problem. Traditional caterers will charge around $3 a bottle for beer. Kegs aren't to bad, but if you rent a location double check because some places won't let you have kegs. You also can get a discount buying wine in bulk. 3. Flowers: Don't decorate the entire world. Have your bouquet and your bridesmaids, but leave out the rest. I've seen some brides carry a single lily, and it was very pretty. Probably the most important: Keep the guest list SMALL. This is where I'm failing and I can't keep the cost down. I'll be interested to hear what you decide to do, and what ideas you come up with! Good luck and Congragulations! Link to post Share on other sites
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