Active Users:185 Time:18/05/2024 06:57:15 PM
I got married two weeks ago for less than that. Aemon Send a noteboard - 12/12/2011 09:56:43 PM
Which is not meant as a one-up, more of a "hang in there." ;) I know it's nerve-wracking to break away from well established traditions, but just do whatever makes the two of you happy. Trust me, when all is said and done, you'll be surprised at the reactions you get. A lot of the people that I most expected to have a hard time with the non-traditional parts of my wedding were actually the most complimentary afterwards. A lot of my old, tradition-bound (or so I thought) relatives told me that mine was the best wedding they'd ever been to, and they loved how fresh, comfortable and original things were.

Anyway, do what you need to in order to have a good time, and everyone else will come around.

As far as budget, I'm sure you've noticed by now that food and space are going to be your two biggest expenses. For my wedding, we cut those costs down by having the wedding and reception at the same place (rented a place on a lake and had the wedding on the huge deck over the water, then the reception in the attached conference room), and having friends and family prepare the food for us. I know that sounds like a big imposition, but with the right menu, it's actually not too much work. We had pot roast (leave in the oven for a few hours the night before, then heat up the day of), soup (buy giant bags of soup from Panera, and put in crockpots), salad (buy large pre-made bags from Costco), rolls (also bought in bulk from Panera), etc. The pot roast was the only thing that really needed to "cook," and the entire meal for 150+ people was prepared on the day of the wedding in less than two hours.

I'm not sure any of the above really helps you much, but I figured you might be interested in the experience of someone who was very recently in the same position. Good luck! :)
Reply to message
So it turns out that weddings are expensive... - 12/12/2011 04:24:17 PM 1697 Views
I am looking to drop about a grand on my son's rehearsal dinner *NM* - 12/12/2011 04:42:53 PM 433 Views
It is avoidable, but people will treat you like you're a nutcase if you don't do most of the things - 12/12/2011 05:02:14 PM 743 Views
my first wedding was in church with a pretty dress and a preacher - 12/12/2011 06:12:02 PM 692 Views
We had a pretty dress and a notary public in the courtyard of the B&B. - 12/12/2011 09:36:52 PM 738 Views
If I had it to all over again I would have formed a Rock Band and dated supermodels *NM* - 13/12/2011 04:20:28 PM 399 Views
*NM* - 22/12/2011 10:15:04 PM 399 Views
Heh. - 12/12/2011 05:29:19 PM 800 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/12/2011 06:02:44 PM 713 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/12/2011 06:44:30 PM 871 Views
Re: Heh. - 12/12/2011 07:27:16 PM 808 Views
We kept it to about $5000 also (including cost of rings). - 12/12/2011 06:06:54 PM 775 Views
I would say our wedding was about that. - 12/12/2011 06:45:46 PM 931 Views
I feel like they only have to be expensive if you let them be. - 12/12/2011 07:07:59 PM 797 Views
I got married two weeks ago for less than that. - 12/12/2011 09:56:43 PM 848 Views
Congrats - 12/12/2011 10:03:35 PM 698 Views
Thanks! - 13/12/2011 02:53:11 PM 707 Views
You've been holding out on us. Congratulations. *NM* - 13/12/2011 12:02:39 AM 448 Views
Honestly, I didn't think anyone would care. - 13/12/2011 03:08:44 PM 681 Views
Congratulations, my friend. - 13/12/2011 03:21:22 PM 633 Views
Thanks. - 13/12/2011 06:38:59 PM 750 Views
Acceptable... - 13/12/2011 06:40:29 PM 694 Views
OMG! Congratulations! - 14/12/2011 10:43:05 PM 687 Views
Thanks Danu. *NM* - 15/12/2011 11:08:51 PM 405 Views
i had 500 people at my wedding....... - 13/12/2011 12:05:38 AM 862 Views
Yes they are. We're planning ours and... - 13/12/2011 02:19:42 AM 746 Views
Some people just don't seem to think outside of the box - 13/12/2011 09:15:49 AM 831 Views
And several items on that chart are soo unnecessary *NM* - 13/12/2011 09:41:10 AM 425 Views
They're only as expensive as you make them. - 14/12/2011 10:38:37 AM 669 Views
I'm so glad we went simple. - 14/12/2011 03:08:45 PM 810 Views
As someone who had a smaller wedding than was expected by certain people... - 14/12/2011 10:36:57 PM 784 Views
These seem kind of extreme. - 15/12/2011 06:03:15 AM 805 Views
because of your history you might find a cash bar lame... - 15/12/2011 12:59:39 PM 844 Views
Not my personal history, but culture. - 15/12/2011 03:53:12 PM 803 Views
I agree that there are better cuts to make than refreshments - 15/12/2011 04:35:13 PM 789 Views
Re: because of your history you might find a cash bar lame... - 22/12/2011 01:08:00 PM 812 Views
It is lame to expect the father of the bride to shell out tens of thousands for a party - 15/12/2011 02:00:54 PM 801 Views
seriously. who cares if people think you're "cheap". - 15/12/2011 04:41:33 PM 703 Views
Apparently it's becoming more common over here to do weddings on a weekday. - 15/12/2011 02:13:57 PM 707 Views
I can't imagine someone in America announcing their wedding was on a weekday. - 15/12/2011 10:07:55 PM 936 Views
People not in America have way more vacation days... *NM* - 15/12/2011 11:56:22 PM 398 Views
That was part of the logic in my thinking, yes. *NM* - 16/12/2011 12:46:53 AM 381 Views
Fridays are actually becoming more common. - 16/12/2011 04:51:41 PM 636 Views
Why does the band get more than the photographer? - 16/12/2011 04:30:29 PM 610 Views
well they do have to split it 4 or 5 ways - 16/12/2011 04:38:36 PM 699 Views
The thing is... it's NOT a night's work. - 16/12/2011 09:27:30 PM 990 Views
My advice based on what I've done so far. - 22/12/2011 01:27:29 PM 661 Views

Reply to Message