My fiancee and I plan to marry in early april. We really have no money to work with. We would like something very small and intimate. Just ourselves, kids, and parents. Any ideas on where the ceremony can take place and ideas for a small intimate reception? We live in Georgia.
2007-02-01 22:34:14 · 7 answers · asked by russ_0067 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
I'm in the process of planning a smaller inexpensive wedding for myself and my fiancee as well. Here's what we're doing and we have a 125 guest list, but are pulling it off for under $1500 total...
(NO SITE/RENTAL FEES)
We're having both the ceremony AND reception at my parents house. I found party tents complete w/the windowed side walls on Ebay for $69.99/10x30 and $49.99/10x20...they each had about $70 shipping, but it's still cheaper than renting...after you use them, you can re-sell them and make some of your $$ back! I'm getting more than one to house my guest list, but with yours being much more intimate, you may be able to get away w/just one. THAT'S if you even have to have it outdoors, if you have a family member w/a large enough home, you could have it there.
(NO CATERER!)
We're hosting a "Family Favorites" buffet in which we're asking certain family members who have a dish that they are always asked to make for family functions to provide that in lieu of a gift. Then I'm going to print up little table tent cards to place on the buffet infront of the dish listing what it is and by who ("MaryBelle's Potato Salad")
(NO DJ!)
If you're having music, load up an mp3 or such and hook it up to some speakers. (Have a computer savy friend do it as thier gift, or do it yourself) I've been to 2 weddings that did this, and it was even for a larger crowd! Worked great!!!
(DON'T PAY FOR INVITATIONS!)
Print your own. I just found the most beautiful ones at an Ollies discount store in my area, I got 2 kits for a total of 5BUCKS! There's enough for 80 and that includes the invites/mailing envelopes/rsvp card/return envelopes/foil seals + practice sheets and suggested wording for various situations....and also got an 80 pc pk of matching thank you cards for $5.....UTILITZE YOUR LOCAL DISCOUNT/DOLLAR STORES!!!!
I have other ideas....but I don't want to send you a "book" here! If you have any other areas of the wedding/reception that you'd like some cost cutter ideas, please feel free to email me! I'd be happy to help you out..I love to plan weddings!!
2007-02-01 23:04:06 · answer #1 · answered by secret_oktober_girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get married at the courthouse. Or if that seems too impersonal, at a parent's or friend's house, either inside or outside.
The bride can wear any pretty dress, certainly she doesn't have to have a bridal gown. The groom can wear a regular suit. Or you can wear jeans if that suits you better!
For the reception, if it is only family you could go out to a restaurant to eat, or have a meal at home, or just cake and a bottle of sparkly. (Sparkling grape juice for the children.)
Ask your family and friends what you can borrow to use for a wedding. Many people have pretty tablecloths, linens, silver pieces, dishes and serving pieces, fancy candlesticks and decor just sitting in a drawer and would be happy to see it used at an event!
You or a family member or friend can make a cake for the occasion. For just a few people, you wouldn't need a huge 5 layer wedding cake. Just serve a regular size cake on a pretty dish. You can use a cake topper if you wish, or just put a few flowers, real or silk, on top and around the side. You could use cupcakes stacked like a wedding cake, or even have a cheesecake instead.
For decoration, candles are cheap and lovely. Group them together, they don't all have to be the same. Put a little greenery, or some polished stones around them. You can buy flowers cheap at the grocery store or Costco, put in vases and scatter about. The $1 store has lots of cheap decor. Borrow pretties from friends and family members. String up some white Christmas lights on the houseplants, or buy a few yards of tulle fabric and wrap for garlands over the doorway or on the table. You're in Georgia, use magnolia leaves for decoration, they are beautiful! You can even spray paint them in gold, silver, or your wedding color.
The bride can make her own bouquet, either a single flower or a bunch, hand tie with a ribbon. Boutonnieres are easy to make. If you have girls, they can carry a little basket of petals or a single flower.
Use your own camera, or buy a good disposable to take some pictures. Try to take some outside, at a park or in some location where there's a pretty background. Take several of the same shot, some closer and some a little farther away. Use the flash on a disposable all the time, even outside. Be sure to get some of just the two of you, as well as the family. You might want to go to a portrait studio, or even WalMart's portrait department to get a picture made of you in your wedding clothes.
You can get married for $100 if it's just your kids and parents, and still have everything lovely and memorable.
2007-02-02 01:23:12 · answer #2 · answered by Ara57 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You live in Georgia....How about a wedding on the beaches of Tybee Island in Savannah? Now the reception can be held at your church-----Have everyone in your church bring a dish to pass---- You provide the wedding cake and some kind of punch drink. Make it simple simple simple.
I live in the US and have German family----Our weddings are fantastic and the receptions are a family affair where we all bring food made by ourselves---to share with family and friends. The cake is the focal on this. If you can find a friend or family member that does wedding cakes---even this can save you $$$$
When all else fails----Fly to VEGAS---do the Chapel on the HILL thing----they have everything you need to make your day special including wedding dress and tux that can be rented!!!
2007-02-01 22:43:22 · answer #3 · answered by aunt_beeaa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have it at one of the parents houses, or elope would be even cheaper. April should be warm enough to have it outside perhaps in a park or something.
2007-02-01 22:39:23 · answer #4 · answered by michael_trussell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah try to contact Oprah (Oprah.com) she may pay for it. Or you can do a search google for wedding packages in your state or where every you want to get married.
2007-02-01 22:41:30 · answer #5 · answered by Grown Lady 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if you have a nice yard or someone in your family does then why not have a backyard wedding ?
2007-02-01 22:42:11 · answer #6 · answered by start 6-22-06 summer time Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have fun!
Love ya.
♥
2007-02-01 23:52:58 · answer #7 · answered by ^Renee^ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋