Before you even start reading, if you have been questioning what type of wedding you want to have, here is your sign to NOT spend thousands and thousands of dollars on one day. Fucking elope! Literally anything. I wrote about how and why we decided to tie the not in a pretty unconventional way here. But here are some ways for you to cut costs if you must have a wedding that is modest.
Wedding dresses are beautiful yes. But the price also reflects that. Some ways to cut that cost down majorly is either buying used on marketplace on Facebook or even getting it some unique ways. Maybe you don’t even want to wear a freaking wedding dress. And in that case you already saved yourself some money! For me, I got my dress from the website Shein. That was about 100$. It fit me so well and was a saved cost. I also got my 2 sons as our 3rd wasn’t in the process yet, cute matching outfits from somewhere like Old Navy or Carters maybe. But there was no way I was getting them suits to get dirty whether rented or bought. Especially when the would never use it again.
Another major cost that can be created at a wedding is guests. How many do you have? Are you feeding them? How are you feeding them? If you want to save costs then you can limit guests. That being said, if you limit guests, prepare to have to explain to people who you didn’t invite them. I know, some family are assholes and it can be challenging. My sister invited everyone in both families. My brother picked and choose who he invited. For me. I didn’t invite anyone! It was literally at a chapel that was within the province, myself, my husband, our 2 sons, the photographer included in the package we got, the justice of the peace who married us, and my best friend and her husband who witnessed because our other friends had Covid and were unable to make it. Was my family, including my parents pissed? I’m sure. And some more vocal than others. But at the end of the day my wedding wasn’t about everyone else. Keyword there is MY. My husband and I have been together 13 years. So for us it was not a big celebration for all. It was a symbol to us. We just moved also and we’re focusing on ourselves. It did make it easier though to not invite everyone so if everyone was pissed so be it.
Eloping is a quick way to save money and make your wedding inexpensive. Some people get married and don’t even tell anyone. they literally go away somewhere or even just do it locally and just surprise family and friends after the fact. I call ours a half elope because we did tell people. Maybe if I could go back I wouldn’t even have said anything. Then by the time people would find out the whole thing would have been done.
Hiring a Justice of the Peace is another way to also save money. You can have a backyard wedding, Maybe in a cheap location, Indoor or outdoor. I would suggest though, Looking at recommendations. Sometimes you may find a JP that is not as reliable. Mind you obviously life happens and sometimes it can be hard to plan ahead in case something does happen. But look at what other people say. Maybe you pick a JP that is professional and follows the vows and whatever else you would like to have to the book. Maybe you want one that is a bit more personal and you can help write the vows and speeches more. Or maybe you want one who is a bit more modern and speedy so that you can get to the party or lack there of. There are tons of Justice of the Peaces around where ever you may be that you really need to check and make sure that you are finding someone that fits the kind of ceremony that you envision.
A courthouse wedding is fairly straight forward also too. From my understanding it would be that you just bring your marriage license and you go from there. Check with your local spot though because they more than likely have specific days or times that they do weddings. It’s not something you can walk in any day of the week. Also its important to know these things so when you do get the marriage license you are able to just make sure that you have the right date on it. This is a very very very quick type of ceremony. You likely are only bringing yourself and your partner. Going in. Having a basic speech about what the typical weddings you see. Take each other. Rings. Vows. Kiss. Over. You may or may not buy a special dress or even wear a suit. Maybe a small bouquet but it will be fast and it will be hopefully as easy as possible. This could also be a way that you choose to elope without telling anyone and just going.
Regardless of how you want to get married. They do not need to be something that you spend thousands and thousands of dollars and put yourself into debt to get there. And the most important thing to also remember, it is about you and your spouse. Literally no one else. So anyone can say their thoughts, sure. But at the end of the day if a wedding you don’t want is what they are suggesting, that isn’t important. I know for me personally, I’m sure that my family would have liked a bigger wedding for multiple reasons. But the wedding we had wasn’t about anyone but us. Maybe in a few years we would get remarried but right now, we are totally fine with the wedding that we planned and had together. It was really nice and at the end of the day, It was about myself, my husband, our sons, and just finally making it official!
Stacey J. Girard 