Young Couple With No Money!! Please Help!

Our wedding was 3 yr. Ago and my best friend just had hers in may and i`ll give you some hints how i did mine and hers for only a small amont of money. We did our
Own dress for the bridal party it only cost 15.00 for materals & we went to discount stores for our dress.
It was $99.00 i went to the doller store got flowers and did it my self, rented a small park for less and had a pot luck all my guest brouht something, if you have any ? just e-mail me back i hope this will help some
And goodluck on your new life togather
Nichole

Hey,
I am in the exact same position...my fiancee and I have NO money and if we did, we`d spend it on the rest of our life--not a fancy wedding! And as the first poster said here, I have no idea where to start...I was thinking of a potluck too, but...does Nicole or anyone else know how much it costs to rent spaces like parks, etc..
I also have another question: How much would it be frowned upon if we just had a very brief ceremony in the same space as we were having the reception, then toasts and then on to the party ...no long rows of bridesmaids, Here Comes the Bride, etc...

Nothing is really frowned upon these day`s when it comes to Wedding`s. As long as everyone is in the "Know How". Plus why would close friends and family care, they just want you to be happy right? And that`s all that matters.
I have attended a few weddings where the ceremony and reception were in the same place, it`s quite nice to eliminate the extra travelling or waiting around.
Pot-Luck is your best way to go and mix it up with a BBQ for fun!. You would have to contact your Parks and Recreation for the costs and availability. Try out Boy Scouts clubs or Community Centres for additonal ceremony options. You can even rent out the Common Rooms avialable at some housing complexes. ( A large room with kitchenette & Bathrooms available for people who live there to rent out for special occassions)
You would be surprised once you start looking at all the places you will find. Even restaurants have facilities for you to use.
You don`t have to use a caterer all the time unless specified but unless you have family to help out and cook you`ll want to take some of the pressure off and bring in caterer`s.

I was just wondering if u thought of a wedding maybe at a park or a beach bc that would alleviate the pressure of paying for a church and all that comes with that, plus you can invite as many people as you want. As for the reception i just thought i would tell you what someone in my family did and just hope it might help a little bit.....my cousin and his wife didn`t have alot of money either so for the reception he had everyone make something and bring it, he made maybe less than half of the food and everyone else made something....i don`t know if any of this will help but i wanted to try bc i am on the same boat i am getting married in june so i wish you good luck and lots of happiness

I just found out that if you live in a subdivisiont hat has a clubhouse you maybe able to use it for free or for a low fee. So check that out, or even if you have a friend that does, have them check theirs out for you. Also you could do a salad party, depending on the time of the wedding with different kinds of salads and bread etc. A nother idea is that you can get married at the courthouse before the wedding that way you do not need an officiant, you could say your own vows and call it a day. I hope this helps. Have a blessed new year all.

Hello and Congratz to all...:)
There are tons of ways to save money when you are planning your wedding. It all depends on what you are wanting for your big day. It also depends on who can help you out with doing things like making your dress to doing the flowers. When I got married, the church I belonged to didnt charge me a thing to get married and have the reception in their hall area. The only thing I had to do to get it for nothing was to make sure I had someone clean it up afterwards. I had around 150 people come to my ceremony and reception. I kept my reception simple also. I had tons of finger foods and different things to drink, like ice tea, lemonaide, coffee, ect. My family helped me get the food ready the night before. My mom made the dress of my dreams and my bride maids dresses. We rented the tuxes, which we shopped around for the best price and service. I had friends who decorated and did the setup for the ceremony and reception area. It turned out to be my perfect day, it was just the way I have always wanted it. Just like a big family get together with all my friends and family. I even heard after we left, meaning myself and my husband, that the party went on for some time..:)
If anyone needs idea how to keep their cost down, feel free to email me at angwillard@yahoo.com I can even help you do your own flowers..:)
Ang

Here is some things that may help. My sister just got married in October she was 18 and I am getting married next month in Feb with little money. As far as dresses to keep cost down we both chose a color and then the bridesmaids all had different dresses (that they could reuse and looked good it). They all loved that idea and it looked awesome. Everyone commented on it at my sisters wedding. For mine we booked a room with our local parks -n- recreation department building. The cost is running us $20/hr for reception. We are having it for 3 hours. So for $60 that is taken care of. My sister did a pot-luck syle buffet, and I beleive I will also. That way family can make their specialties and feel apart of the celebration. We made all of our bouquests (really easy), or you can do somthing simple like a single long stem rose or tulip would be pretty in May with a bow with a long tail hanging. We also are having bridesmaid wear clear shoes. Most people have a pair. Although they too arean`t all the same it looked really good with all being clear. We aren`t having a DJ (they run about $100/hr). My sister had a radio with a microphone up to it. We played CD`s with various songs down loaded, I will also do the same. If you have a Wal-Mart near by you can have a 2 layer cake for $60 (only $25 deposit). I know this is long hopes it helps. I planned my sisters whole wedding in 3 weeks (he was in the military and was a spur of the moment thing). I have planned mine in 2 months. I have decoration ideas too if you would like to email me. I beleive I also have pics of what it looked like with the different dresses also.

I too am plannin a wedding on a VERY limited budget. I have saved so much money already...the internet its great. First We are renting a community center. It has a large ballroom, all hardwood floors and walls, it has a kitchen and its only $100, with $100 deposit. I got matching bridesmaid dress at ROSS for $15, they love them, they can wear them again. Ebay is a great source for favors and disposable cameras. I called every DJ in town, till I found one in the christmas spirt. He threw in an extra hour, and lights for almost 1/2 the cost of the others...and he has great recommendations. I also got a photographer for $300....I coulnd`t believe thats all he charged....and I know he is good because he did my senior pictures a few years ago. And I saw his wedding portfolio. I`m printing my own programs, and going to a small local newspaper who print invatations...you can save $$$ that way. I`m having my grandma make my veil....why spend $200 on a hair comb and tulle? I went and tried on dresses, found one I liked and then called a discount bridal service.....Saved 45%. Also I just saw on TV Davids bridal is having their $99 sale now through Jan 17th. Good look and Congrats...if anyone has anyother tips for me PLEASE let me know...I`m always looking for a bargin.

Oh I almost forgot my biggest bargins...my decorations. Our colors are Platinum,Cranberry and white. I have been getting christmas lights, bells, candles, garlins, ect for 50 and 75% off. I got amazing platinum baskets retail $9.99 for less then a $1, and Im going to use them as part of the center piece. Also try your local colleges for floral classes, photography (all though I`d be more pick about this) and even there baking department. We too are doing a potluck style dinner. One thing my friends who have recently gotten married have said is everyone wants to help...."What can we do" "what can we bring"...so let them.

Hey- I am and was in that same position. My husband (now) and I got married in April, he had been called to active duty and is in Iraq, but before he left we got married on base in missouri, the church was free, he work his class A`s, my dress was a white prom dress, (Ive actually seen wedding dresses that look a lot like it), for rings we just got plain gold bands. A friend of my family`s made me and my sister (who stood up for me) red white and blue boquets out of silk flowers. For the dinner my family and his and a few friends went to a resturant and for the reception we all just stayed in a hotel and used the confrence area. All together it probably costed maybe $500. These are just a few ideas. Now that we`ve saved some money with him being on active duty and me joining the military when he gets home we are having a big "wedding" or vow renewal.
Good luck