HELP!

Who cares what people think, and who said a bbq isnt fun? search around and u might even find a park that cost very little to reserve or it might be even free. And here is alittle tip about the ring. Go to a department store and get costume jewelery. They look so real, but cost like $10-15. Make sure you get something that looks reasonable, i mean most people wont believe you if you get something that looks like it costs $5000 when they know u cant afford $500....

Thanks, i thought about it, But I`m allergic to fake jewerly. My family could tell if I was wearing costume jewelry. I really don`t care what they think, but that`s why I said this idea. They want me to take time and they`ll help but they`ve never been reliable, but it`s my mother and I don`t wanna hurt her! So like I said I`ve basically given up.

Don`t worry so much about pleasing everyone else. You`ll never succeed at this anyway.

Why not invest in two simple wedding bands? They don`t need to be expensive.

Then get married before your minister or priest or rabbi - just the two of you and your witnesses.

Afterwards, send out simple wedding announcements/barbecue invitations and have yourself a party. Some people will bring gifts. If so, be gracious and send thank-you notes. And be happy. Life is short. :o)

Thanks Ellie, You know your the first person that
Hasn`t thought it was a bad idea. I told him I didn`t need a ring, but he`s difficult! My fiancee`s uncle is
A preacher, we were having him do it. But do you think I should wear a dress and all that!

Do I think you should wear a dress? Yes, don`t get married naked!

Seriously, wear something you have that makes you feel pretty. I know someone who got married in a long denim skirt - her grandmother`s skirt at that. And her grandmother then gave her the skirt so that she could keep it.

Thanks, lol! I just meant I don`t wanna wear jeans, I want that special feeling too!

You can create that special feeling with a pretty skirt and top, too.

I am having a bbq reception. I want everyone to feel laid back and comfortable. Who doesn`t feel like that at a bbq? As for rings (if you really want them) you can go to Mervyns and get regular bands for about $50. My first wedding with my husband, I bought a beautiful white summer dress from Ross. Also, if you want a real wedding gown, maybe try eBay. Sometimes you can find gowns on there REALLY cheap. Email me if you would like some help. I too am on a tight budget, and my stepmom is the queen of stretching a budget. Christishinn@yahoo.com

Don`t stress out about anything. All that matters is your love and devotion to each other. Your family and friends shoulod feel honored that you want to include them in the big day. A friend of mine had her ceremony and reception in her Aunt`s yard with everyone bringing a side dish to share, they provided all the meat, fixins, and drinks for the BBQ reception. My FH and I were planning a large destination wedding, but due to family and financial problems we have decided to do it closer to home. Everything will be in one place on the same day, a private garden owned by a friend. We are having someone do the cooking for us, again a friend, for cost of food only. We are making a punch that can be served plain, or add a shot of liquor if they need a kick, another friend will be the "bartender". We did have to rent tables and chairs because my FH has a large family and we didn`t have enough of our own. We will need minimal flowers because we will be in a garden, but for my bouquet and those items, I am doing myself with fresh flowers from my local farmer`s market. I bought a cheap iron arch for $5 at a flea market, painted it white and planted fast vines all around it to grow up and over it, any open spaces will be filled with the market flowers. We are using disposable plates, cups, and silverware, and paper tableclothes. Out theme is butterflies so fo the centerpieces I bought small clear vases from the dollar store and instead of flowers we are using the favors (colorful butterfly suckers).

No matter what your family and friends will be thrilled with your happiness

Lostand Confused, thanks, I wish i could do it like u! But most of his family and friends don`t like me, and I`m not having very much of my family there! His step mom and dad and baby brother, do! So there`s not much help on that front, My biological mother hates my FH, and he hates her. She wants me to have a big nice wedding! I want to Marry the man I love asap! We just want to have it small, b/c I had a my sis`s fiancee died and i went to her. And his job is shut down for weeks at a time, during the year! Maybe I`m just very confused and want people to except me. But I do want a special day! Afraid i won`t have it!

OH, you poor thing. I am so sorry that you 2 have to start your new life together with so much animosity from the families. Don`t worry about it though.Unless they are willing to foot the bill for a big wedding tell them to put a lid on the critisism. All that matters is the 2 of you. If you want to do it on a holiday weekend, that`s a perfect time for a BBQ. If you can get the guests to contribute a side dish at least, you`ll save a bundle. Use paper and plastic like we are. For a centerpiece idea, you can use an artichoke and hollow it out for a tealight candle, it looks alot nicer than it sounds. Dresses can be found extremely cheap at places like Ross, TJMAX, Marshalls, Gabriel Bros., or even Walmart, target, and Kmart. Get something that makes you feel good to be in it, who cares if it isn`t lacy and 100`s of $$$$. As for rings, what about using baby`s breath or some other small flower or vine and making a temp. Ring for each other. It will last through the ceremony and reception and look great. Or use a henna/body painting kit and paint one on, or even temp. Tattoos that you can wash off later. If you have $100 for both rings, do some Ebay or online searching.
It sounds like even if you get it all togethr you won`t enjoy yourself very much with all of your worries. I say elope or do a private ceremony by a judge (free, it is illegal for them to accept even a tip, contact city hall) and have a reception later after you`ve had time to get it all the way you want it. Contact any cooking schools in your area, or put up a sign at your local college for students willing to cook for you, usually a slight fee over the food cost.
I have the same problem of trying to impress all of his family and hoping that they like me. But I am learning to let it go as it will cause a rift between us. They can come or stay home, I`ll be having a blast.

Good Luck

Thanks Lostand Confused, that`s most of my problem, worrying, I want so badly to be excepted and to have a wedding I`m happy with. Something like u said is what I want, like I said no matter when it is their gonna be this way towards me and if I have a big wedding, I `d feel uncomfortable ya know! And jessica thank u as well. It`s a lot easier talkin to someone with same problems, Thank u Ladies!

Hey Amber,
I definitely feel you when it comes to not having enough money and having to deal with people who aren`t the most supportive. When all is said and done my wedding will cost about $2000 at the most and we are still going to have a nice big, elegant wedding, well hopefully it will all turn out elegant :) Anyway, I understand what you mean that you still want a nice dress and you want things to feel special even if it is just a small ceremony with a few witnesses. Right now would be the perfect time to go on a bargain hunt. With prom season ended there are usually leftovers that the stores need to get rid of and would be clearanced dramatically. Lately white`s been a more popular color for prom dresses than in the past so you may be able to find a white prom dress on clearance if you really look. Check out every major department store, and some places you might not expect (such as deb) and you may just be able to find a splendid gown for a very low price. Also, don`t be afraid to go into some stores that look like they might be pricey b/c chances are they still have some leftovers and they`ll be discounted significantly. My friend got a $400 Designer dress at a store in beverly hills for like $50 b/c she went in on a whim and stumbled on a clearance rack, so you never know. As far as the actual ceremony and everyone else goes, don`t sweat it. When my parents got married it was spur of the morning, in the city park by a justice of the peace with some of our family there. They had gotten their marriage license and hadn`t really planned anything but it was about to expire and it happened to be the weekend of our big family reunion so they just went down to the park and got married with family standing around. It was cute and quaint. A couple weeks later we had a BBQ to celebrate. It was low-key, just at our house, tons of people came and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was nothing extravagent but both of my parents say they wouldn`t change it for the world. Best of luck to you!