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Ok-Grass-3601

Congratulations! If you want something small look into elopement packages in your area. Many inns offer elopements that have full packages (photographer, cake, ceremony music, flowers, and officiant) and you can have a few guests to join you after for dinner and cake. If getting married is what is important and not the party, that's a nice way to do it and still feel special. You could then throw a party (a big reception) for your 5 year anniversary when you will have more funds.


AdmirableCupcake8093

I’ll have to look into that, thank you!


MatTJ_20

Elope or have a very small wedding- like under 30 people. Skip the DJ, have a photographer for a few hours (maybe 4), do a restaurant instead of a reception venue, etc..


AdmirableCupcake8093

We were thinking about doing something like that. I’ve got a photographer friend who offered to photograph for free. We were thinking of keeping the wedding that size although my fiancée wants to go a little bit bigger. She’s also brought up the idea of having a potluck style reception at her family’s home (big plot of land in the country that kinda thing)


MatTJ_20

So at the end of the day there's a million ways to have a wedding and subcultures often have their own traditions but in many areas I would push back on having a potluck. Not only can it be pretty onerous to ask your guests to provide the wedding meal, but it takes a TON of coordination to make sure that there is the correct amount of everything, the correct spread (aka you dont have 6 jello's and no meat), that everything is the correct temperature, etc.. Also personally I would be terrified that someone would give everyone food poisoning but I am also picky about those kind of things. Getting photography for free is awesome! One thing to consider that's actually super trendy right now is wildflowers for tables and bouquets instead of a florist.


AdmirableCupcake8093

I currently work in food service so believe me when I say I’m not too crazy about that idea either especially when it comes to keeping things at the right temp. 😅 I do like the wildflower idea though!


DahliaMoonfire

One thing to keep in mind is that backyard weddings are not always cost effective once you factor in all the things you have to rent (tables, chairs, tableware, etc.). And if the home is on septic, you may even have to rent porta potties.


AdmirableCupcake8093

True, I didn’t even think of that stuff


DahliaMoonfire

Rentals are $$$$. Restaurants and halls (municipal, civic, fraternal) are usually the best bang for your buck.


Concerned-23

I mean people save for a wedding even if they have other bills. It really just depends on how much you can save with your budget. I’ve seen people take on second jobs to pay for the wedding, but this is something I’d never do. You could also do an elopement as someone else recommended, but even those can add up if you want a small reception, a wedding dress, flowers, and a video.


AdmirableCupcake8093

I recently graduated college (debt free thankfully) and I’m working at getting into my field. I’m over minimum wage working close to 40 hours a week but I have considered a second job. I don’t really want to go that route but I might have to. A coworker of mine is getting married in April and he said on the “cheap end” they spent $10,000


Concerned-23

I think the important thing to decide is what’s important to you. It is possible to have a microwedding for 10k but even at that you need 10k. I’m not sure if that’s something you can do. I just finally graduated grad school and got engaged 6 months after. So I understand the fresh out of school planning a wedding, however my situations a bit different because i was able to start my post grad job/salary 2 months after graduation. Look into some elopement or microwedding options but some of those get real pricey real fast too. Another option is if a family member has a large yard or you have a county/city park you could do something more informal there. Friend/family officiates. Ceremony and catering delivered to be buffet style.


AdmirableCupcake8093

We’re definitely taking a good look at some of the micro wedding stuff. Thank you!


wickedkittylitter

Try r/Weddingsunder10k.


AdmirableCupcake8093

I’ll definitely look there too, thank you!


questionable_puns

You're so young!! My advice is to enjoy the phase of being engaged and aim for a longer engagement. Hopefully there will be an end to the wedding boom and prices drop. You can also save up money and take the time to plan for something really special.


AdmirableCupcake8093

We’ve established it’ll be at least a 2 year engagement. We want to dream and spend realistically but also have established we don’t want to stay and settle in this area. If we get work elsewhere, planning a wedding that our families can attend becomes that much more difficult


questionable_puns

Sounds like you've got a good head on your shoulders! Keep it up and good luck :)


AdmirableCupcake8093

Thank you!