Frugal Wedding Ideas Needed [Archive]

Pokeberry Mary

11-19-2009, 07:16 AM

My daughter and her fiance' are planning to marry this summer/fall. They don't make much $$ and he plans to be a student in the fall after they marry.

I am looking for frugal wedding ideas--and 'stories' of how you did it and it worked out OK>

Please don't suggest ideas to do with sewing the dresses--I am creative and resourceful, a good cook and gardener--but my sewing --well I can embroider but I definitely can't sew dresses and I don't know a soul who can.

She intends to pay for her dress anyhow.

I guess I am looking for encouragement more than anything--this is a tad unexpected--and not exactly our idea of a good timing--they are young, not done with school, etc.. But-- since they do intend to do it--I want to help.

Have you done such a thing?? How?? Tips?? :heart_blue1:

backlash

11-19-2009, 07:48 AM

I never understood why men rent a tux for $100 and women buy a wedding dress for hundreds or thousands and only wear it 1 time.
My cousin spent $6000 on a dress.
It was her money but it still makes no sense to me.
Must be a woman thing or a man thing depending on your point of view.:)
Put a wanted add on Craigslist.

I guess I am looking for encouragement more than anything--this is a tad unexpected--and not exactly our idea of a good timing--they are young, not done with school, etc.. But-- since they do intend to do it--I want to help.

My Mom said the same thing.
That was 39 years ago. We're still waiting to see if it's going to last.:D
Oh and congratulation on the happy occasion.
backlash

cinok

11-19-2009, 08:57 AM

How big of a wedding, There are certain things a bride wants at her wedding or how she has envisioned it since she was a little girl. does she have any special requests. Semi Casual weddings are quite popular especially if they can be held at a house or an outside location. Church wedding ?

CastIronCook2

11-19-2009, 09:45 AM

My daughter's loveliest wedding (she's had four) was her most recent, that she and her groom paid for themselves. They composed the invitation on the computer. Held the ceremony outdoors in a beautiful wooded park. The reception was potluck. Gift, if any, was requested to be a dish to share for the reception. I paid for the cake as my gift to them. I think they borrowed the folding chairs from the library, where he works. No worries about bridal attendants; they stood alone. She wore a Chinese sheath dress and looked her loveliest. They gave each other a single rose. It was quite lovely, and the frugality, rather than seeming a cheap-out, somehow fit the whole mood of the day and place.

It CAN be done, and done delightfully. You all just have to break free of the trap of the "big wedding" or the "right wedding."

Pokeberry Mary

11-19-2009, 10:30 AM

good ideas so far! the dress will be about $250== her cost. She is getting it at the annual sale at David's Bridal.

Flowers--she wants me to do her flowers--silk for decorations--real for her bouquet. We don't know if anyone will stand up with her--possibly one or two relations and our granddaughter (her niece) as a little flower girl.

I married young too, it has lasted 28 yrs so far, 4 kids, and a grandbaby.

So I guess we might make it.

Still--I do know it wasn't very easy, and was kind of hoping she'd not be so in a hurry.

I like the guy though.

We are thinking either outside or maybe rent some kind of small shelter of some sort and cater it ourselves--potluck-ish. My Mom-in-law could come the week before and help me get things done and her future in-laws could bring some things but they live a couple hours away. So basically its me and my kitchen. I do think I'm up to it--as long as I don't have to have rehearsals or anything.

Music--well my son is a musician and I think he could make us a nice mix on a cd to use.??

I guess we're getting ideas by the minute--which is good.

Hubby is not too happy with this--but I think he'll come around in time.

He'll have to right?

She wanted to have it our yard, but we aren't even done building our house-- I can just see all the red clay construction mud on a wedding dress! yikes!

I will do my best to have the yard prettied up by then--I'm working on it now--but I know I'm not ready for a wedding here.

a student budget is not much to work with--but I have to say I am proud of their wanting to commit to each other.

oeb

11-19-2009, 11:55 AM

Offer to give the kids the amount of the estimated total cost to you as a present if they'll use (i) a judge, in chambers, or (ii) clergy in the parsonage/rectory. We went the second route (sans gift), lo these many decades ago, and never felt regrets or less married. It's that commitment by them that you're proud of that'll make it beautiful. Best wishes to all.

Otis

Mom5farmboys

11-19-2009, 03:06 PM

My husband and I celebrated our 17th anniversay last October. Our wedding was tiny, I bought an ivory silk blouse and wore it with an ivory skirt. I worked in an office at the time and was able to utilize them in my work wardrobe after the wedding.

My parents offered to pay $3000.00 dollars towards a wedding or a savings account, whichever we wanted to do. We opted for the savings account and it was the right choice. I have never regretted it, especially when my girlfriends got married with big stressful events and they were emotional wrecks.

My parents, his parents, 2 grandmothers, and my cousin and his girlfriend who were our witness' were in attendance. We took everyone out to dinner at a local restuaunt. Then went back to my parents house for cake and champagne for a wedding toast. Very simple, very relaxed. It was a beautiful day.

That being said, my aunt does some catering and I have worked for her on occasion and preparing food for a large group is pretty simple. She uses lots of electric roasters, for everything from meatballs with cream of mushroom soup over the top, to the mashed potatoes (she uses instant with butter and milk already added-everyone raves about them) that go with it. She makes gravy and keeps it in several large crock pots. She has done sloppy joes, ham with pineapple, even frozen eggrolls in her electric roaster oven.

I have attended potluck wedding receptions and have to say it was some of the best food I ever had at a wedding. They asked for the dish to pass in leiu of a gift, but I always go out and buy a new casserole dish, use it for the reception meal then leave it for the new couple to add to their kitchen.

Don't overlook wildflowers as decorations, in June sweet peas are beautiful.

Does anyone you know have a polebarn or large outbuilding that they might let you use for the event, you could have it outside with the barn as backup in case of rain.

The most important thing to keep in mind is what the special day is really all about.......starting a new life together, not the party. God Bless!

Anon001

11-19-2009, 03:15 PM

A boy (young man now) I watched grow up got married in a pasture. They were on horseback. His outfit was black dress pants with a white shirt, string tie, black vest. The vest and pants were tailor made. He had a black hat and black boots. She had a white outfit that was also tailor made. Their outfits were the most expensive part of the wedding. They had the reception at the Eagles' clubhouse,... wait... maybe it was at the saddle club. (Dang, can't remember) It was about 6 years ago. I do know they had a traditional cake, but I can't remember what other foods they had.

The wedding and the reception were nice. Nothing fancy but nice.

Paul

Deep South

11-19-2009, 04:27 PM

My co-worker's daughter is getting married tomorrow night. It will be a small wedding of close family at my co-worker's house. The fiance is in the military and will be going oversees. They wanted to get married before he left, so they planned the wedding cheap and quick to have at home.

The fall season, I think, is a beautiful time to have a wedding. I wish my co-worker's daughter and your daughter the best in their marriages.

A few cost saving ideas for you:

Consider having the wedding in the late morning instead of at night, as you will not have to serve as much food to guests at the reception, just light snack type food.

Consider having no alcohol at the wedding reception. Alcohol is a huge expense, and I think a wedding is a more beautiful and spiritual affair without it anyway.

Some community centers rent cheap or free for weddings, receptions and such. You may have something like that available near where you live.

If your daughter has her wedding in a church, a wedding close to Christmas means you will not have to spend as much money to decorate the church, as the church will already be decorated beautifully for Christmas season.

Similarly, a wedding in a park may also mean you may not have to spend as much money on decorations if there is already beautiful landscaping and gardens.

Photography can be a big expense, too, in a wedding. If you don't have friends or family with professional wedding photography experience that will give you a break on their services, consider purchasing a bunch of disposable cameras to place on each guest table with a note encouraging guests to take pictures. Some of the most beautiful and warm candid shots have come from this.

Have a blessed day!

randallhilton

11-19-2009, 07:18 PM

ditto on the disposable cameras. Make everybody a photographer!

31 years ago we managed to get it done for $103 which included his n hers gold wedding bands, blood work (had to take a blood test back then) and license. LaVonne borrowed a white dress. I had a suit (it even had a vest!) and we used a spreading oak tree as our chapel.

Two people took pictures with their Kodak instamatic cameras. We lost the film from one but still have the other pictures and they are most precious.

Our friends brought food, desserts etc.

The fancier it gets, the more the moment is lost in the details and headaches if you ask me.

Pokeberry Mary

11-20-2009, 03:50 AM

I found out we can rent a large pavillion or even a building at a gorgeous local state park for $30 for the paviallion (seats up to 120) or up to $200 for the building. The place has all the gorgeous South Carolina trees--which should be in color for the wedding, or starting to be--and camping for out of state guests and a pretty lake--with boat rental, dock and fishing--if out of state folks want to make a little vacation of it.

Daughter got her dress at the David's Bridal sale yesterday and saved $100 on it. Its gorgeous! We are going with an olive green for attendants--so I will make floral arrangements using some green plants from my garden and buying some pretty flowers to add in.

We can rent an arch and decorate with grapevine and silk flowers for the vows. I am looking into getting a preacher or justice of peace to come to the park and we'll do it all there.

We want to self-cater with BBQ and such like. :-)

This whole thing is going to be much much less pricey than I thought and I think will be gorgeous! Fun!

My son is a musician and can DJ for us--and make a nice wedding mix cd.
My brother in law's partner can do the pix.

We can give our little girl a proper wedding even without a big budget. How cool is that? :man_in_love:

Laura

11-20-2009, 04:04 AM

www.weddingplanningonabudget.com

www.weddings.about.com/library/blbudgetworksheet.htm

www.onewed.com/apps/wedding-checklist

www.cheap-chic-weddings.com

www.affordablewedding.net

CastIronCook2

11-20-2009, 06:09 AM

Yay! Hooray! Oh, it sounds SO lovely, Pokeberry Mary, just so lovely. I got a little shiver of excitement reading about it, and hearing your new-found delight in this planning. I wish you all, all the best.

firegirl969

11-20-2009, 12:22 PM

My wedding cake came from the local chain grocery store bakery for $30. It was a large sheet cake with the traditional wedding couple on top. My mom and sister made the punch, little wedding cookies, ham roll-ups, cheese straws, fresh fruit balls in cut-in half watermelon rind, nuts, and mints. It was a beautiful reception for less than $150 with about 60 people in attendance. We used mama's ferns in the corners of the room for decorations and daylillies out of the yard for the tables. I got my wedding book and garter off the internet. My sister made the bouquets and boutinneres out of fresh flowers from Wal-mart. We got a family friend to take pictures with her digital camera and we got them made at Walgreens. My dress was simple, from JC Penney for $99 and I can wear it for other occasions as it is off-white and just looks like a cocktail dress. Our entire wedding cost less than $400 and went off beautifully. You can make pew markers and decorations real cheap and Walmart craft section is now selling lots of wedding items. Hope some of these ideas help you make that day even more special for your daughter. Blessings, firegirl

neparose

11-20-2009, 12:29 PM

Hi Mary!
FWIW, heres how we did ours. We had a cookout with a wedding at the end. It was small. Just family and a few friends. Everyone brought a dish to pass. We bought the meat, beer, and a couple bottles of sparkling wine. My dress came from Hot Topic for $100.00. He wore his church suit. We rented the local rod and gun club for the day and decorated it with black and white balloons and streamers. The bouquets were local wildflowers and roses from my moms bushes. A friend who did photography offered to do the pics for a present. We should have done the disposable cameras for the guests because only 2 pics turned out. After it got dark, we changed into our wedding clothes, lit up the tiki torches and the preacher from grammas church came out for the service. The cookout started at 6 o clock and the wedding was over by 9. The whole thing was under $600.00, and 9 years later, I still cant think of how I would have liked it any different. Except for the pictures. The only good pic we have is the one my MIL took durring the ceremony. Sigh... Good luck!

Pokeberry Mary

11-21-2009, 03:35 PM

I will be doing almost all the cooking myself, and making the floral arrangements--both are things I think will be ok--I love doing them.

I wish there could be more help with the food--but we live here without any family. All our family is in different states. Future Son-in-law's family is blended and they live about 2 hours away. So I guess its up to Momma. ;-) That's OK.

I have been thinking about it ever since we figured out we'd have it at a park and I'm 'psyched'. As soon as Christmas is over I'm going to start concentrating on getting up what supplies I need and making plans and arrangements so by fall it should all fall into place nicely. My Mom-in-law plans to come early to help cook and we'll all be fine. It'll be a busy year though with our house still a work in progress as well. :)

Cil

11-21-2009, 05:24 PM

I think you should talk to the other mother and see what she's willing to help with. Don't assume anything.

ljplott

11-22-2009, 05:22 AM

Well...........my daughter married a year ago in December and we cut every corner we could cut and then a few.

The Cake was done at a nice bakery, it was a 'picture' cake. I had 3 tiers and all around the cakes were their photo's. $85.00 These two are picture nuts, they take pictures all the time, so I felt a photo type cake was just appropriate. I also put several pictures on the table near the cake and covered it with a clear plastic. We also ordered a few dozen cupcakes with matching colors to layer around the cake on the table, since the cake may not have been enough. I purchased new flat sheets to cover the tables and on the serving table I used a lace cloth I bought at a garage sale for 25 cents. So the sheet, then then lace cloth over that and pictures at the corners and around and then a clear plastic and then then punch bowl and all service stuff........We shopped 'closeouts' 'garage sales' and hand me downs....continually. I bought several antique serving dishes for 45 dollars at a garage sale and they were beautiful serving pieces. The sheets covered all tables perfectly and once I ironded them they looked very nice. We had one brides maid, and the best man.......I bought ribbon and had the bows made for the reserved seat pews, I went to florists and had the brides maid bouquet and I bought flowers and made the bouquet for the bride. I made it too small, it was the kind that hangs down in front, (cascading), and it was beautiful, I bought pearls and all sorts of things to spruce it up but at last moment her 'mom in law' brought her a large prettier one and she was so upset, afraid I would be upset, and I said, 'no, carry the one you want, its no upset to me'.......she walked to 'everything I do, I do for you' and her sister, the brides maid sang for her.....and I had a picture video that matched with the song lyrics, was very cute and original........the church was donated free, so we had no charge and the food was shared in costs by me and the mom i law.........I had a friend who donated all the punch and another who made beautiful mints for the service table.

I recomment a 2 p.m. timing, as lunch is over and supper far away and they tend to eat less. I did this mostly all by myself......my daughter's largest expense was the dress, around $500 and it was beautiful.

One piece of advice, gather as many helpers as you can, because i assure you, this is work, by the end of it all I cried. I turned down so much help thinking I was superwoman and in the end I was 'not' superwoman.

garage sales, thrift shops, sales and closeouts, and borrow what you can.........

oh and the invitations, were also a photograph.......took it to office max and had 50 done I think it was 50 or maybe 75 but they were about 35.00 and they were totally georgous and so many bragged on how pretty and unique they were. I did the wording layout on my computer and sent that with the picture. All they had to do was purchase envelopes.

It was the most stressful thing I have ever done and I advise you to get all the help you can.

CapeCMom

11-22-2009, 09:38 AM

We had a no frills wedding too-
I bought my dress off the rack for 250.00. We got married in my Mom's garden. I made silk bouquets for the two girls in my wedding-they bought dresses that they could wear again.
We did deli platters for food and provided NO alcohol. Although we did buy enough Champagne for the toast. I bought a nice cake from a bakery around 80.00. I had a friend who sings bring her electric organ over and she provided the Entertainment as her wedding gift-another friend a photography student did not charge us for our photos-just the processing costs-an idea too-get disposable cameras for each table at the reception. Have them turn in the cameras at the end of the night. Sometimes people get better pictures than the experts! If someone wants to buy a gift suggest a photo album for the photos.

southernchick

11-22-2009, 06:46 PM

I have been married twice. The first I was way too young and way too stupid. It was a huge affair that my mother insisted on. I didn't have any say in it. She actually said "who is payign for this?" when I objected to things. Not ideal at all. Didn't last. No surprise.

My second and current (and last!) husband and I got married in Galveston, TX in a garden. It was the pastors backyard. Gorgeous plants everywhere and my friend who is a professional phtographer took the photos and our kids were present. We didn't invite anyone. We had the wedding and then ate at Fisherman's Warf. It was the best thing we could have done.

I like the idea of putting disposable cameras on all tables and letting everyone have a turn at taking photos. One wedding I went to the bride handed out cameras to 5 close friends (I was one) and also had a pro photog.

If I was going on the cheap I'd do simple casserole sytle dishes and just go simple, easy and beautiful, Sounds like the outdoors will provide a lovely backdrop. I have learned that the overall wedding doesn't matter as much as the overall marriage. What I mean is that you can spend thousands of dollars on a wedding and reception but it doesn't mean the marriage will last. My whole second wedding cost about $500 and that included my dress, the suit my hubby wore, our kids (from previous marriages) clothing, the preacher, flowers and dinner and it was the most amazing thing ever. The wedding that cost $25000 lasted 5 years and the last 4 1/2 were crap.

Oblio13

11-25-2009, 09:46 AM

Frugal Wedding Ideas Needed

A prenup. ;)

anna

12-02-2009, 07:39 PM

My foster daughter wanted a $10,000 wedding like we'd taken her to the previous year. I asked her where she was planning to get the $'s!! After her parents refused to help at all, I sent her and her fiance out price checking (reality check) so they would understand how much everything cost. Then I sat down with them and said okay how much do you have to spend. It wasn't much maybe $300 to $400.

I suggested if the church was available they get married a week before Christmas then the church would already be decorated for the holiday so they could skip that expense. A friend of mine picked up a lace dress that looked like a rag at Goodwill. It was a name brand dress and once it was drycleaned it was beautiful. Our fd decided she did not want an engagement ring when she found out if she had one there would not be money for him to have a wedding band. He wore his own suit.

I told her that we would do the reception at our house and provide the punch, mints, etc. and cake. The girls and I along with some friends had a blast making mints. I also ended up doing her bridal veil and a few other odds and ends when they ran out of money. I used my own linens, punch bowl, china and Christmas decorations.

They had a nice wedding and the reception at our house was also very nice. Only difficulty was the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom. One was a total dingbat and the other just plain nasty. We ignored both and had a good time.

pamsabear

12-04-2009, 06:52 AM

I had a very frugal wedding many years ago. My wedding cost less than my sister-in-laws dress at her wedding.

The wedding was at a local church and a friend volunteered to be the organist. After the wedding we had a small reception in the churches community hall. We did use a caterer, but kept the price down by getting a simple cake, punch and a few (can't spell it) ordeourves. We kept our guest list small, but after the reception close family and friends came to my parents house for champagne and a small buffet dinner.

Flowers were from a local florist using inexpensive flowers and the arrangements were kept small.

My dress and veil were the best deal: I bought display models. They were about one tenth of the regular price.

That's all I can remember,
Pam

mtwildflower

12-04-2009, 08:54 AM

My daughter is getting married January 1 2011. There's no getting around the fact that it's going to be sizeable since both my daughter and her intended are from large families. But big numbers don't necessarily translate into a lot of expense. We'll do most everything ourselves, the dresses, decorations ( mostly confiers cut down from the nearby mountains and lots of lights) the food, and we will have lots of bodies to set up and contribute. I'm really not worried about that at all.

My husband and I got married in October and it was still warm enough to have the ceremony outside and we rented a room at the gold course for the reception. We foot a $300 bar tab, when it was gone, it was gone. I made my dress, he bought a new tuxedo shirt and tie, wore a pair of blue jeans and his wool vest. We got married at St. Peter's Mission, an old Indian boarding school run by the Sisters of the Ursuline Order/Sisters of Providence. (If you ever get to read anything about Mother Amadeaus and her faithful companion Mary Fields, do so. Theirs was a wonderful relationship. You cannot help but love Mary Fields, crusty old broad that she was) We shared a like for ghost towns and the history of the old west, and this was the perfect site for us.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/smallkissphoto.jpg

Got a military chaplain to preform the service, since hubby was active duty Air Force at the time.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/withJackiesmall.jpg

Kids got new clothes. The Asian looking girl was our exchange student from South Korea. Her parents shipped us a case of Soju as a present, which my husband adored since he had been stationed in S Korea for 1 1/2 years a couple years before we got married.

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t202/mtwildflower/caketablesmall.jpg

My mom bought our cake, $25 at Walmart. I bought a few yards of fall looking fabric for table coverings, which one of these days will be made into a quilt for our bed. And the leaves, lights and glass balls I already had in my decoration stash at home. My sister had the cheesy archway, LOL. Flowers were from mine and a neighbor's yard and we were extremely lucky we didn't have a freeze before October 8th that year! My bouquet had a few stems of Bells of Ireland, which reminded me of my grandma, who died just before my hubby and I met.

In any case, I think with what we paid for, bar tab, dress ( about $30, which I sewed. Got the jacket fabric for a $1 per yard on clearence and the skirt fabric for 40% off during prom season. ) $100 for the room at the golf course (We could have gotten it for $75, but decided we didn't want to clean it!) new clothes for the kids, I think we did it for less than $600. No booze and it would have been around $300. Not bad. Our rings were additional, though...and the most we spent on anything! But we paid cash!

Oh, and I had someone take pictures with my digital camera and a couple of other people brought theirs as well. We were very happy with the pictures we got.

The best part about the site, however, was that the guests could do a little exploring. There was an old church there, open to the public, but we couldn't have the ceremony there since it belong to the Catholic Diocese and we weren't getting married in a Catholic ceremony. There were the ruins of the old boarding school and a historical cemetery nearby where many of the Sisters of Providence were laid to rest. Our guests really enjoyed the property and discovering that part of Montana's history.

ktlove

12-04-2009, 09:44 AM

The state park sounds lovely, will they be offing the use of tables and chairs? What about table cloths as well, because those 3 items sure can add up fast.
My sister had a back yard wedding, my father made the harbor and it was beautiful. It was just white lattice with silk flowers but looked great, perhaps you can convince a handy fella in the family to put one together?
For music, prior to the ceremony and when they came down the "isle" they used his cousin who played the violin, which was beautiful. I have also seen guitarist who play a lovely classical compolation as well. At the reception just a radio with mix cds was used.
After the ceremony we had the toast and moved on to my brothers house where they had been preparing a pig roast, awesome idea, pot luck and bbq.
In regards to the toast, this time of year, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years bubbly wine is like 3 dollars cheaper per bottle than during the rest of the year I would suggest you grab a few cases of that sooner than later, also, you should be able to get the plastic champaine flutes realitively cheaper around now too. I bet they will have some sales after the holiday on platic plates and cutlery as well. Maybe you can find them in the right colors even.
Has she decided on the table decorations yet? I have seen at another wedding other than the traditional chocolates but little gold fish bowls, some peat gravel and a gold fish in the bowl. That was just too cute and that too was an outside wedding and seemed fitting.
We did the disposable cameras at my brothers wedding, my mother took them to cvs had them all just put on cds and we went thru them at home looking for the best picutres, wrote them down and had them printed and blown up.
The cake...
I personally did my brothers cakes, a 3 tier fruit and cream and a double chocolate grooms cake. Can anybody do the cake? Perhaps just having a local bakery make a dummy cake and having someone put together a sheet cake for serving will work? But everyone loves to see the cake, we love to watch them feed one another the cake too.
I went to a beautiful wedding in a state park in NY last year, there was camping available and the bride and groom and the wedding party all rented cabins and enjoyed the after after party where someone was playing the guitar and singing and there was a big bonfire.
Who will they choose to perform the service?

Pokeberry Mary

12-05-2009, 10:56 AM

I don't know yet about seating. I'm busy making Christmas gifts right now and no time to think about the wedding. I told my daughter and future son in law that we will go to the park in January and find out what all the possibilities are and if our hoped for date will work. Then we'll start to finalize our plans. We're hoping for labor day weekend.

I'm going to focus on growing flowers and green plants in my garden this year. We're going to start seeds in January and hope that MOST of the flowers will come from my gardens. I already have ribbon on hand to wrap bouquets--its a green that will match the bridesmaids dresses. I encouraged her to go for green because I know it will match just about ANYthing--including her young man's red hair. ;)

Her dress was a bargain dress from a Bridal sale and will need to come in a bit--but they do that closer to the wedding.

Hubby can certainly construct an arch for us and I am very artsy so I will decorate. I also love to cook and my Mom-in-law and brother-in-law and his partner will be coming early with extra crock pots and such like to help me with the cooking. I'm going to try to get my chest freezer freed up by summer so we can start pre-cooking and freezing some of the food. I'm thinking we'll go with Pulled Pork BBQ, slaw, beans, some side salads, buns and just basic like that.

Sweet Tea, Lemon aide, 'swamp juice' (mix of tea and lemonaide) and maybe some beer or something. Champagne--dunno.

I'm thinking the groom's family can help with some of that. We haven't met them yet--they live about 2 hours away--that too--is something I'm putting off til after Christmas.

My brother in law's partner is going to do the photography and my oldest son is a musician/producer and he will come up with a nice mix of music and be our DJ.

The latest thing is one of us--maybe me--or maybe my son who isn't in the wedding or being the DJ will try to become a notary public --then we can do the ceremony and not have to hire someone to drive out to the park. ;)

Fun!

When my oldest got married, he and his wife were alone--as we live on the other side of the country and couldn't make it at the time. They were a bit rushed, baby coming... Anyhow they had a very pretty little wedding in a wedding chapel. She wore a pretty white dress that cost her about $30. She carried a bouquet made of flowers she had at home. They went to an Italian restaurant for dinner together afterward.

I took the pix from the restaurant and made a simple wedding announcement card to send to relatives and friends and did some rubber stamping to pretty it up. Folks said it was the cutest thing they'd ever seen. I matched the card colors to the Italian restaurant and put a nicely worded announcement inside.

Their wedding was I think about $200.

I know it can be cone. We don't have a church here, just moved here and Hubby isn't a church person. But-- I do have a friend who did some lovely weddings at her church and in her yard (she has 7 kids) she did all the sewing and cooking for them. They were just as nice as pricey weddings and I think also more memorable.

firegirl969

12-05-2009, 12:23 PM

DH and I went to the justice of the peace here who wore a robe and performed a very nice, sweet, romantic service for just the two of us. We had both been married before and wanted something very private with just the two of us. It cost $61 and was most memorable!

Katrina-Sisu

12-11-2009, 01:43 PM

Hubby and I had a nice wedding in the register's office. It was pretty decked out, done in a special room. They had candles lit and it was pretty. This was in Finland though so I don't know how those go back home in the US.

I wore dress pants and a nice top, Hubby did the same. My Mom and Dad bought our wedding rings for us as gifts and also sent a beautiful bouquet to me.

MIL did all the cooking (she loved to plan parties so it was fine with her) and fed 30 plus people and we had leftovers. We held the reception in our house.

It was simple and wonderful, I wouldn't change it.

Katrina

leera

12-13-2009, 06:55 AM

When my DH and I got married,it was the worst timing ever,he was in the middle of a lawsuit against his parents,we were broke,or nearly broke,he had to give up driving due to his seizures returning,and there were a lot of upset family members due to the lawsuit.The main reason we got married when we did,was because he was turning 25 and would no longer be covered under his Dad's medical plan,being disabled or not...

We've been married for 11 years now,and still going strong.

The wedding was held at his aunt's house,a lovely 20 acre parcel they have,they mowed a path through the woods to the stream that ran through it(use of their home/property for the day was their gift to us),his uncle donated the flowers,all fresh cut from his own gardens(his gift to us),he lined the path and decorated an arch near the stream and his aunt put some nice potted plants from her yard down there too.One of his uncles stood guard at the end of the drive to prevent any unwanted people from showing up(his parents had threatened to come regardless of weather or not they were welcome).

When we sent out the invitations,we asked that everyone bring a dish to pass,and everyone did,the food was wonderful.His adopted sister's hubby made the cake(he was going to school for that at the time)as their gift to us.

My dress was a simple white denim dress purchased at Fashion Bug,and hubby wore a good shirt and new black jeans.

The reverend cost us $100.00 and the tent/tables/chairs rental cost us $275.00.....we did have to purchase table covering.plates,napkins,etc...

Its the thoughts behind the wedding and not the cost that's important.

Pigzzilla

12-19-2009, 06:53 PM

When my daughter started planning her wedding we lived about 4 hours apart. I lived in a pretty large city and she in the mountains in a very small town. They talked to the pastor at his church, just a donation was all the pastor wanted. They talked to the guy in charge at the Lions hall, his Dad was a member, no charge. The best part was the hall had a complete, commercial kitchen. So, she "volunteered" me to do the food. And his Mom to do the flowers, as she was taking a class in flower arranging.

There was a restrauant supply store near where I lived so I was able to purchase paper table covers, candles and the food and serving dishes very cheaply. We bought "Hula Hoops" and crepe paper streamers at a Dollar store. She and friends wrapped the hoops with crepe paper streamers and hung them from the ceiling at the Lions. Some of her friends made crepe paper flowers, too. All in Peaches and Creme. bought 6 disposable cameras for the tables and got some nice pics.

All was fine til 3 days before the wedding. Food bought and ready to go, decorations ready, dresses ready, shoes polished and all that stuff. I was involved in an accident at work that left me in a cast on my leg! Actually, that was the first of four casts and two surgeries. Fortunatly I was wearing a long dress for the wedding. And a pretty pair of silver heels. Or rather one silver heel and a cast. So my smarty-pants daughter found a pair of silvery knee high socks to cover up my purple and yuck colored toes!

At the lions hall, I got to be food director. Sat perched on a stool while friends pitched in and did the last minute touches with the food. Everything turned out fine and we still laugh about my choice of footwear. I still have and use a few pieces of serving dishes and utensils.

All together, for 100 people, we spent $300. No alcohol, except 1 case of sparkling wine for the toast. That was an unexpected gift from the Lions.

Pokeberry Mary

02-16-2010, 04:49 PM

Well now my wedding plans are being moved up to May and the budget is getting notched even lower. Daughter surprised us with the news that she is expecting. New grandbabies are always welcome, although this one is a little out of order there..

Anyhow I'm thinking a May wedding in South Carolina--outside-- HAS to be gorgeous. Its our best time of year here.

As soon as we get some nice weather here I'm taking the kids to go look at that state park and see if its as nice as it looks on the website and reserve our spot--if we decided for sure to to go with it.

I found a big area of green briar growing on our land so I think I'll use that to decorate an arch instead of grapevine- free! I went ahead and started seeds of some early blooming anuals that might look pretty for wedding flowers. I'm hoping we'll get luck and be able to use mainly flowers and greens from my garden for the wedding. If not we'll buy flowers and I'll arrange them--but at least my seedlings will make my yard pretty even if they don't make it for the wedding--we'll see. ;)

I've got the menu all in my head and I've seen ingredients at Sam's club that I think will make this very easy to prepare. I hear they have good cake too--though I'm not sure I'll get that there.

I also found out that in South Carolina Notary Publics do weddings and that some are 'mobile' and will come where you want them. I found on who will do a little wedding ceremony for about $40 at the park.

Daughter doesn't want a religious ceremony--I'm a Christian and I think she'll be ok with me at least blessing them with a prayer, and of course I hope her feelings about faith will evolve over time. When I got married my beliefs were nothing like they are now, so I'm ok with her choices--its her wedding, not mine. :) I'm just glad we can do this thing for her.

One thing that will make it all easier and less pricey is that because of the cirucumstances we're cutting the guest list down to 20. Daughter and her intended need to be saving for baby and we'll be needing to help them as they don't make much $ and he is going to be a student and only work part time, she works full time but no telling how that will go with a baby. So-- we decided it wouldn't make sense to spend much on a wedding when the situation is that they need money more than they need a big party.

Still want to make it nice though.:heart_blue1:

patience

02-16-2010, 07:15 PM

I understand the sentiment about weddings to some degree, but we had one at near no cost done in a church rectory, with only family and a couple friends there. It worked just fine, too. It's still holding together after 44 years! Our first baby came about 3 months early, but the rest all took 9 months..... Happens that way fairly often.

Daughter did it even simpler at the courthouse. Under $40 for everything.

It's the commitment that matters, not the ceremony. :D

Pokeberry Mary

02-17-2010, 03:54 AM

Well the cheapest alternative here would be if they just went to their bank and had the notary there sign the papers.

I dunno... my oldest got married out in Idaho in a little chapel, without us cuz we live on the opposite side of the country and nobody had much for $$ at the time. It was lovely though. My daughter-in-law had some silk flowers and a pretty dress she got on sale for $30--not a traditional wedding dress but it was white and very nice. The had a nice italian dinner afterwards.

This one is our only daughter and I guess I think we can do better than the bank. ;-) I think the state park will turn out to be very nice, they have a pavillion its about $30 to rent that and $40 for the guy to perform the ceremony. I plan to do the cooking and decorating and make the bouqet. Guests will be just parents, grandparents and siblings. 20--maybe a little less or more.

She had planned a little bit bigger wedding so she already bought herself a pretty wedding dress when the bridal shop had its big annual sale. We may have to alter it slightly-but they do that anyhow.

I think I'll document it all in photos, might maybe write something nice about it for my blog.

I totally agree the commitment is more important than the party--but we can still celebrate it too. :)

aprilconnett

02-17-2010, 02:45 PM

I managed a "big" wedding for under $1,000. Of course, that was 11 years ago, and my dress was only $100. In hindsight, we could have done it cheaper, but my "planner" (aka the lady who played the piano at church) had issues that she forced onto me. I will say that the best weddings in my family have been the pot-luck ones. The fancy food at mine was not all that tasty.

As for baby stuff, might I reccomend thrift stores?

Diavolicchio

02-17-2010, 07:09 PM

It's all just a Google away:

http://www.weddingsonashoestringbudget.net/

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/hr_shoestring.html

http://www.insidesecretstoventurecapital.com/shoestring.html

http://www.essortment.com/all/weddingplanning_rnde.htm

http://searchwarp.com/swa268187.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4863360_stunning-wedding-shoestring-budget.html

Hope these help.

John

NCLee

02-19-2010, 02:59 AM

Mary, since it's a May wedding in a park, please let me offer a suggestion.

Chose a menu that'll let the men do the cooking. I'm serious.

My nephew had his wedding at his workshop that he'd just finished building. He and his new-to-be wife wanted a simple wedding without all the traditional bells and whistles.

Following the ceremony they had a fish fry. And, it turned out to be great. Because it was casual, everyone was relaxed and enjoyed themselves. The men in the group fired up turkey fryers and used castiron frying pans for the fish and hushpuppies. (My Dad's 20" castiron frying pan was one of the ones used to cook up the fish.)

Since it was a fry, only a few side dishes were needed. The cole slaw was prepared ahead of time (day before), for example. No alcohol was served, but there was plenty of iced tea and soda for the kids.

Dessert was old fashioned ice cream made in hand crank type freezers along with a small wedding cake and cookies.

Personally, their wedding was far nicer than the one I'd attended a few months earlier. There's no telling how much money was spent on that one. They even used a horsedrawn carriage to take the couple to the reception, following the elaborate ceremony at the church. That couple stayed together less than 6 months. Never heard the outcome from the fight over the prenup agreement. Spending big bucks sure didn't help them.

My nephew is still happily married, even though it's been a number of years since they tied the knot.

Back to the men cooking, for a moment. My neighbor's daughter had her wedding in their backyard. Her theme was "country". For example, the bridemaids dresses were simple cotton calico. They decorated the gazabo for the ceremony and had a "path" lined with potted plants and such between the house and the gazabo.

They had 2 receptions. Immediately following the ceremony, they had a cake cutting. Guests were served things like mints, small ham biscuits, cups of nuts, etc. and a glass of champagne. That reception was for all of the wedding guests. When they left, the second reception was a cookout for family and close family friends. As far as I know, most of the wedding guests who left didn't know that family and friends would continue to stay for a larger meal later. As with my nephew, because it was a BBQ the men did most of the cooking. Far less work for the ladies and most of that could be done ahead of time.

So, do think about letting the men do some of the cooking. :) You may be pleasantly surprised at how well that can work out.

Lee