Trying to make a go of a very modest wedding...

[Cowperson]

It was a billion years ago (okay, 22 years ago), but we, dirt poor at the time, opted for a small (about 40 people), inexpensive wedding . . . . and the immediately spent more than the wedding on a three week honeymoon in Europe.

Shelling out big coin for the entertainment of other people didn't quite compare with the thought of selfishly hoarding the cash to spend on ourselves.

I've never understood the big wedding thing. Small affair, closest friends and closest relatives, a few nick nacks to make it look respectable, a cake, some tacky penguin suits and a gorgeous gown . . . what else do you need after that?

BIG honeymoon man!!

Cowperson

[HOOT]

I wouldn't go to crazy on weddings anymore.

In other news: 50% of all marriages end in divorce now a days.

[Canada 02]

some of the nicest weddings I've been to were outdoors; mountain or lake setting. No hall or church; no rented chairs or tables.

[octothorp]

My wife and I had a smallish wedding, around 75 people at the Deane House in Inglewood. Not the cheapest location, but we did save money by having everything in one spot. I think the details that make the wedding memorable for you and your guests aren't the lavishness of the wedding, but the little details that make it personal. For example, after the ceremony, we had ice cream served in the garden and games of boche and croquet set up, so that guests could do that while we were off getting photos done, rather than waiting about awkwardly; and a friend of ours wrote a beautiful violin sonata for us. And while the dinner was good, it wasn't really what people remember (although people do remember dim-sum the next morning, which the whole extended family came out to... again, it was a cheap and memorable activity, especially for many of the older generation who had never tried anything like that). We didn't have a dance as such, but with an ipod and a dance floor, that doesn't need to be expensive either.

edit: oh yes, my wife also went with the bridesmaid dress approach (not really because of cost but because she found one that was the perfect style). My $1200 suit was somewhat less thrifty. Though I get a lot of use out of it. I'm wearing the jacket today, infact.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by octothorp

And while the dinner was good, it wasn't really what people remember

The crappy dinners are the worst part about weddings. I usually pregame the dinner with a stopover for wings (a juliets, 'cause weddings are usually on saturdays).

Nothing worse that a fancy, pre-made, overdressed plate with those nasty mixed veggies but still not enough food.

I say there's no shame in a buffet. And to avoid the annoying long line, try something like my cousin and have a table contest that takes 20 minutes. Tables go up (more or less) one at a time.
His contest involved drawing numbers and a name that tune thing.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

some of the nicest weddings I've been to were outdoors; mountain or lake setting. No hall or church; no rented chairs or tables.

My sister was married in this huge log cabin they rented for their wedding back in 96, in Kanaskis not far from Millarville.

Anyhow it was perfect, justice of the peace did the ceremony which lasted about 10 mins (yay no church!) and the food/booze didn't cost all that much as my father worked with Molsons back then

It was a great spot for a wedding, the immediate family stayed over night at the cabin as it had sleeping room for about 20 people comfortably.

[return to the red]

we did our wedding for about 14k. That is here in Lethbridge.

We made our own party favours, shopped around for our cake, did a toonie bar (you can actually recoop alot of money doing this but that's not why we did it) and STUCK TO THE BUDGET. We got our flowers from Costco for a fraction of the cost and they were amazing!

My wife is looking to sell her wedding dress for cheap cheap cheap (obviously only worn once and only a year old PM me if interested and I can give you all the details)

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by 4X4

The crappy dinners are the worst part about weddings. I usually pregame the dinner with a stopover for wings (a juliets, 'cause weddings are usually on saturdays).

Nothing worse that a fancy, pre-made, overdressed plate with those nasty mixed veggies but still not enough food.

I say there's no shame in a buffet. And to avoid the annoying long line, try something like my cousin and have a table contest that takes 20 minutes. Tables go up (more or less) one at a time.
His contest involved drawing numbers and a name that tune thing.

It would have cost us more per plate for a buffet then the plate service that we had

[CaptainCrunch]

Two words - Las Vegas

Three words - married by Elvis

four words and a number - All you can eat $5.99

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