Looking for ideas for planning small and cheap wedding and reception?

Question

We are thinking Justice of the peace and then throwing a big party with maybe a theme. Funds are nill , I'm on disability and my boyfriend can barely make ens meet.
I'm looking for ideas on how to make the day fun. Maybe some food ideas( pot luck, finger foods anything) Please help!
Thank-you
Terri

Answer 1

The best site that sells things for cheap and has alot of things for your reception is oriental trading. You can get most of your things from there for a very cheap price. Register for the knot very good site, it helps you with everything. I am using their checklist,bugeter, and lots more from this site. It keeps you very orangized. Another website is forever and always this has the rest of the wedding things you need. For inivations try dawns invitations. They are pretty cute and the prices are not bad. You could also make the invitations by yourself. Good luck and have fun. Best of wishes. Congrads.

Answer 2

I am getting married next month and started off with the same dilemmas as you. So here's some tips I learned when dealing with a limited budget.
1. Have a wedding in your home or backyard or even a friend's home or backyard. Remember that there are still costs associated with this like hiring an officiant, buying the license, feeding people, the rings, the wardrobe, etc.
2. A pot luck sounds like an easy solution but it's pretty tacky to have your guests not only show up with a gift but have to feed themselves too. The only way around this is to say in lieu of a gift, please bring a meal or dessert to share.
3. Have a cocktail party with small finger foods after the ceremony. Keep it early and short and ensure your guests know what to expect. Some people will expect a meal and show up hungry. You don't want to make those people angry. Or you can just serve cake and coffee.
4. Throw a Stag and Doe or Jack and Jill party a couple of months ahead of time to raise some funds. Make sure this event is WELL planned or you could end up losing money. The sooner you give notice to your friends and family, the better they can book the day off for the event. And sell tickets in advance to pay for the party.
5. Check eBay for a dress, veil, shoes, etc. I bought a brand new gorgeous veil with rhinestones worth $120 at a bridal salon for $20 on eBay. You can also find favours, flowers for the bridal party, and other wedding stuff there.
6. Save and wait. We waited for three years before actually going through with the ceremony next month. In that time, I was able to gather the things I needed a little at a time. And with time, your financial situation can clear up so you can have a wedding you won't regret. As long as you love one another, you don't need the document to prove it.

Answer 3

There are all sort of solutions to this. Is a member of either family a moose member. If so the hall can be booked for free. The bar is provided by the lodge. Buns rolled meat and a potato salad or something, with a dessert is fine. A good Karaoke person always provides fun and cheap entertainment. If you are trying to maintain a budget people are very understanding. People just want to have fun. Whatever it is you plan....keep it well organized. Nothing ruins a good time like complete confusion

Answer 4

It depends on where you will have the wedding. Look around in bridal magazines, if you can't purchase them, read through them at a book store like Barnes & Noble and write everything down in a notebook that you like. You can do alot of great research like I'm doing on houstonweddings.com. It's a magazine for Houston only but check out your local magazines for their official websites. Also, call up a few Bed & Breakfast places, they can be very quaint and romantic and ask if they do weddings and if so they likely will have an elopement package. Those usually run from $500 or less. Hope this helps some.

Answer 5

If you call around, you might find a minister for cheap/free, and you can go to a local park, and get married and have a pot luck meal. I recently helped a friend have a wedding for under $400. Although, we didn't have "food" only a cake, but, we did it at a park, had a free minister, made her dress(as some of us know how to sew)but, anymore, bridal shops have really good sales as well..., and rented the tuxes. It was a beautiful day, and a beautiful wedding. We haunted yard sales for wedding stuff, such as cake topper, candles, flowers, etc....
We also found a really neat poem (her fiance had written to her) and made personal invitation off her printer.
It was fun..

Answer 6

Some times friends help to make food,each one can do something different,i im talking about the people,that is going to the wedding,

Answer 7

but flowers at Safeway etc. then put them in borrowed vases, the potluck is a great idea, if people think it is tacky then maybe you wouldn't want them there. Maybe you could brew up your own keg of beer and bottle some wine too, not too expensive. Use your own hot air instead of paying for helium balloons, that can be pricey

Answer 8

Just as you said it, JP and party!!!

Answer 9

If you are having guest, they would be happy to bring a dish and a drink.Some can bring coke,sprite etc...and the rest can bring drinks like wine, etc. if you allow it...........People love to help out.
Ask a few to bring 2-3 boxes of chips, or pretzels........
Some can bring paper cups,plates, and family can make finger sandwiches like you suggested....It can work great if you can delegate what you want them to bring,,,,,Make a list, and have a marvelous time...Happy wedding to you Terri and yours!

Answer 10

Yes just elope or go to city hall get married and invite your friends to tim hortons