Organizing a low budget wedding...?

Question

The thought of a big white wedding has never appealed to me. It seems that a lot of people around me who have been together for years, get married and split within months? I just want a registry office and small "gathering" afterwards. I also don't want to tell my partner until it is organized- the only reason for this is because I don't want him to have to worry about anything, we have been engaged for a couple of yrs and have discussed it, but decided not to bother simply because we couldnt be bothered. It was my son who has made me think recently as he is 3 and doesnt understand why I have a different name to him. Does anyone have any ideas on a low budget wedding and can I arrange it without him knowing? Thanks. Im in the uk by the way xx

mim1978, tell me more damnit!!!! x

Answer 1

My wedding was done in 9 days and cost £600

PS
My dress was from Debenhams, and our reception was at the Radisson SAS hotel in Leeds,
We just cut some corners,
Mail me and I'll tell you more as I am considering this as a career change

Answer 2

Here's some ideas:

Breakfast/Brunch wedding. Basically you organize a great breakfast or lunch that ENDS with the ceremony and you leaving and the guests leaving. Rather than a big reception afterwards which adds up quickly this is a fun, different but nice wedding. You don't need a full open bar, you can offer Mimosa and Bloody Mary's, and then a coffee/tea bar, etc. Breakfasts are always less expensive.

Another idea I saw on a website which was clever was a DESSERT reception. If you schedule it later in the day and advise guests it is a dessert reception (all fabulous desserts) that is an inexpensive and fun wedding.

I think the breakfast idea is a great one. Guests also then have the remaining part of the day to do whatever they want. You start your breakfast at 9am, you go to maybe 11am, do your ceremony and everyone has the afternoon to enjoy nearby places/things or do anything they like.

Answer 3

Very easy. Why don't you just run down to the Justice of the Peace, or take a trip and have a captain of a vessel marry you?

If you don't want a big white wedding--and your family doesn't mind at all--why not figure out exactly what would appeal. After all this is a once in a lifetime thing--it's not about what you not like but what you would prefer. Elope and get married--either on the ship, an island or Vegas. Or plan a small beach front wedding with just 2 close friends as witnesses.

There is no reason a wedding has to be expensive--figure out what exactly you DO want and just go ahead and do it.

However I don't understand why you would hide this from your groom. After all its his wedding as well and he does have a crucial role in all this. I wouldn't arrange it behind his back--what if you decide you'd love Vegas with Elvis and he thinks that is tacky? Discuss this with him as to the fact that you'd like to get married (hopefully for more reasons than just your son mentioned it) and would like to have a low budget wedding. That way the two of you can have a wedding that meets the budget requirements that you have and most importantly what you both would be very happy in the years to come.

Answer 4

For a low-budget wedding (which is a great idea, btw) a wedding planner will only end up eating into a good chunk of your budget, so it's probably not worth it. But there are other options out there - I mean you can definitely plan the wedding on your own. The key is keeping track of everything. Have you thought about using wedding-planning software? I happen to work w/ JC Penney and if you register there, you get free wedding planning software. A lot of the brides that register are just happy that the planning of their wedding won't cost them anything!

Answer 5

Well you'll have to go the registry office first, but I think you can do that without him, cos I did as far as I can recall . The I would arrange a meal at a nice place nearby for as many friends as you want to invite. Your clothes are no problem cos you can get "bridal" things anywhere, and get your friends to help if you want cakes, flowers, photos. Don't go to the expense of a photographer cos you'll never look at the pics anyway. Marks and Spencer do nice occasion cakes, plain white iced fruit which you can decorate to taste, and flowers could be a few roses tied with ribbon. You will have to sort out a best man for him too don't forget, he will need notice to write the speech. I would tell him what you have organised before you send out the invites though, just to be certain. Good luck

Answer 6

Weddings can be cheap, my whole wedding and honeymoon cost £2000. We did the registry office thing and then had dinner and a party afterwards.

If you want to get married in a registry office do it on a Friday as it's cheaper than a Saturday.

I wouldn't start my married life with secrets and lies. Your partner should be told what you are doing, just tell him but explain that you are going to organise everything, but you wanted to tell him in case he wanted to be involved in anyway, you never know he may have some special idea, date or outfit he wants.

Just do what makes the two of you happy, and remember never go to bed angry.

Answer 7

I wouldn't reccomend springing a suprise wedding on any guy. I'd let him know that you are planning it but all he needs to worry about is showing up when/where you tell him. He might not want to even though you are engaged. Guys can be wierd like that.

A family friend got married for 1k and invited 200 people. She had a JP come and do the ceremony. She bought a bunch of alcohol from Sam's and the food was potluck and everybody brought what they were best at making.

Answer 8

First you will need to tell your bf. You both need to go in person to the registrar to register your intention to marry. We organised our wedding in 12 weeks. Go mid-week you'll get plenty to discounts. For my dress I didn't want anything to big or elaborate so I actually ended up buying a bridesmaid dress, £200, and then I cusomised it by putting sparkly diamond over the skirt. I made the cakes and invitations myself, with help from my Mum. My brother took the photos. We only had family and a few very close friends. I actually work within the wedding industry and have people organising weddings up to 3 - 4 years in advance I think its just totally mad and uncalled for.

Answer 9

You could get married in Graceland (in Tennesse) for about $600.... wait you're in the U.K. I got no idea. lol
Go to Ebay for a dress (around 50-100 for a used or new dress)
Start there, I dont know what all you're looking for
I only spent about $4000 on my wedding
thats dress, dinner, ceremony, locations, decorations,dj,cake,flowers, the whole thing here. and I have 100 guests. so I could figure out a small tiny wedding without spending anywhere near that. but I dont know what you want in a wedding or gathering.
or how many guests you want or anything. details? lol

Answer 10

okay... well there are lots fo ways.

Make a guest list then widdle it down to the most imporant people in your life, and the ones that are most likely able to come

buy invitation at Walmart, or a craft store (the Wilton brand) then go to www.wiltonprint.com and make them yourself

instead of having a huge reception, have a cookout (catered of course....I dont know if you have a Fireflies in your area...but I hear they do awesome catering for cookouts.)

dont bother with favors...unless you want to give candy.

shop conignment for your dress, or get a white prom dress. Even Target has a bridal line now.

make your own bouqet with silks or flowers from your own garden.

Goodluck!!