Looking for a few good suggestions.

Well we are finally planning our small wedding.  By small I mean very small.  I've been looking for something nice to wear, have contacted an inexpensive officiant, and now am at the point where I need to cut as many corners as possible.  We will have maybe 10 people total at the wedding, and are hoping my fiancee's boss will help with the food discount, but does anyone else have suggestions on ways to cut corners, or something simple to do to make it a little nicer?

[ImmortalOne]

No chairs, no nothing really.  A ceremony, clothing, hopefully something to eat and drink at a private home more than likely, and well... that might be about it.  At this point, as I said a long time ago, we just want to be married.  Now that we have things settled for the baby for the most part, we can actually do this.  However the budget is very strict and we aren't really doing "invitations" more word of mouth inviting.

[RockRose]

ImmortalOne - can you be more specific?

I think if you shop resale shops,  you could have something really nice and appropriate to wear for under 50 bucks.  

Are you planning to hold the reception at a restaurant,  or ????

[Mozartcowgirl]

I found a vera wang bridal dress for 100 dollars.. at a second hand store.. i couldnt believe it............ i was like.. just standing there.. holding my chest...lol.. anyway.. i bought it.. and then gave it to a friend that was getting married... shes altering it..lol..

try second  hand shops.. i go to them alot. and find so many gongas... how about buying fake flowers for the wedding? not like for the bouquet.. but.. for the ones t hat go onthe chairs.. or for the really big arrangements...

how about craft store do it yourself things..

are you going to print out your invitations?

i wish i was there.. i bet many of us do .. we could help you ..

what other things are you looking for ??

[mommyluv02]

when i went to prom i bought my maternity dress( yes i was pregnant at my prom) but i bought mine at Motherhood for $20 and it was floor lenght gown garenteed it was red but it was beautiful but i agree try second had stores even goodwill or the salvation army.  

[mommyluv02]

http://www.budgetbridalgowns.com
I just found this and you can pick your size new or used and price range.

[myrasue34]

craigs list may have some dresses, I have seen them on the website

[nermine]

ah you know what, i love my origin country, we used to have there store to rent a wedding gowns, you can rent with the whole accessories for about $50 bucks and up. this is really good, becuse there is a lot of people, they can not afford to pay $2000 for one night, i rented mine for $200 with all the accessories with two small gowns for girls who walk in front of the bride.

[npd]

Hi there!

I just attended a very similar wedding this weekend - my father and his long-time girlfriend finally tied the knot, in a very small, very private and very beautiful ceremony in their backyard.  Her uncle is a minister, so he presided over the ceremony.  They rented an arch from a party supply store, and we decorated it with flowers from her garden, white lace from the dollar store and white mini-lights she rounded up from people's old christmas boxes.  She rounded up several white lawn chairs (the plastic kind) for seating, and her teenage daughter handled the music.  They were married on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, in front of everyone that loved them... everyone brought food, and it was served buffet style - the reception was in the yard and house.  We had a wonderful time and it was a very touching, very simple and exquisite wedding.  Just wanted to wish you well!

[peekawho]

My first marriage, we had a wedding just like that, at home, simple dress, just family and a few friends, cake and flowers within a budget.  

The second time, we just went downtown to the courthouse and got married.  Jeans and sweatshirt type of thing.  

[Jenny33]

My husband and I had the cheapest wedding ever.  We had 6 guests, $30 for the reverand  to marry us.  I got a white suit at sears for $50. and we went back to my house for cake and champagne afterwards.  The most expensive thing was our rings.

[lynne1276]

My husband and I did the same thing last July.  We were camping in Key West and booked a sunset cruise.  Got the officient off the internet.  I wore a really pretty floral dress and he matched me in khakis and hawian type shirt.  I had a boquet and called it a day.  I think total it was like 250, including clothes.  
Keep it simple and don't stress out.  Are you getting married before the baby?  I say a cute dress and flip flops and have him sort of match you.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Take your guests to a local restaurant and book a private room.  You can pay or you guests can pay in lieu of a wedding gift.

Or cake and drinks at your home would be nice.

large grocery chains often have floral shops in them and the prices are cheap.

I love all the ideas you were given.  The important thing is not what you spend, but that it be a lovely moment for you and your intended.  

[RockRose]

I've been to some great weddings,  and some uncomfortable ones,  and the difference is how warm and welcoming you are,  and if you're joyful.   Little touches of love make the difference.

Can you have people bring their own wedding albums to show off during the reception?  That's always fun to have pictures.  Also,  if you have childhood pictures of him,  and you,  and you arrange them in a nice way on a table with candles that's sweet and fun.

The ceremony itself - the words that are said - are SO IMPORTANT!!   The vows you take to one another,  and the statements you make can really add love and warmth.

And remember to toast your family and friends who are there and give them a warm and heartfelt cheer.

Great music,  played on a stereo system is nice.    Some sweet old classic love music (Fly Me To The Moon,  etc,   The First Time Ever I saw Your Face),  etc.,  mixed with "I've Got Friends in Low Places".  ;D

Could you rent a helium tank for $20,  have everyone put a message of love in a balloon and then let them all go at the end of the ceremony?  Like prayers for happiness,  to heaven?

Another thing I saw at a wedding,  they had a small pretty fire going in a fire pan,  and during the reception you had to think of a hurt,  or an anger,  that you couldn't let go of against a loved one - and you could write it on a piece of paper and toss it in the fire,  and let the hurt go.  That was great,  and fun.

Best wishes with this!  I think you'll do great.

[lynne1276]

Do you have a special place you guys like to go to?  A park or somthing?   You could get married there.  No isle or anything.  Just you guys and your guests.