I have been engaged for about 8months and lately everyone is asking when the big day is? And will it be in a garden? And how many people I will be inviting?! I feel I want to scream!

I wish someone could understand that a wedding costs a lot of money, and that wed love to settle and be together..
Id love a small wedding, but family always have a say!

To the girls getting married and have the same propblem, you not alone... and take it one step at a time! :o

Just tell these people that you are going to the South Pole and only the Penguins are invited ;)

We had a very small wedding, just our close family in the local registry office.
Followed by an excellent dinner in a Michelin stared restaurant.

After all it's YOUR day.

I got married in 1994 and had 200 people and a reception all for under 3000 dollars when my friends weddings were going about 10,000+++.
How did I do it? I got a beautiful dress for very little money because I didn't get it at a bridal shoppe. You could look at a consignment shoppe that offers bridal dresses and prom type dresses. No one has to know and you can save over 1000 by doing this. The other thing I did was to go to a local private college and ask the cook if he would be willing to provide the needed food and to get it ready. Then You get volunteers who are willing to go as soon as the wedding ends and put out the food. Don't feel that you need to serve a hot meal. I served deli meat trays and rolls and potato salad and applesauce and chips and a veggie tray. Often a church fellowship hall is much less expensive than renting a hall, and they will have chairs. If you or your parents are a church member you may be able to use the fellowship hall for little or no money. There are no areas that you can't save big bucks on. Remember that you don't have to invite everyone to the reception. Invite all who want to come to the wedding itself and then only your closer friends and family to the reception. If you want ideas on how to save in other areas let me know what areas and I will see what I can come up with. IT IS YOUR SPECIAL DAY. DON'T LET WELL INTENDED FRIENDS AND FAMILY MAKE IT WHAT THEY THINK IT SHOULD BE.

I had a traditional wedding with reception for 100 guests for less than $200. It takes a lot of networking but can be done!

I married in the church I was baptized in and held the reception in the fellowship hall. The only cost there was for the cleaning lady. Since I was a member I was able to use the punch bowl and cups and plates for no cost. I had to pay for the napkins with our names printed on them, only.

I borrowed the dress from a school friend's sister. It fit me perfectly and didn't even have to be altered. Only cost there was the dry cleaning after the wedding.

My parents were having a very tough time money wise and I was in college so there was very little money and everyone in my town pretty much knew it. I asked my mother to pass the word that in lieu of wedding presents, I would prefer pieces to my wedding. One of my mom's friends worked in a bakery and gave me the cake (actually 5 ladies pitched in for it but the friend got it at cost), another worked for a florist and gave me the flowers for the alter. Another gave me a beautiful unity candle. These were all noted in my wedding gift register and they got their thank-you notes first! My sister's best friend at the time was talented with silk flowers so she did my bouquet and my other big sister paid for the invitations.

We had to pay full price for his tuxedo and $20 for the organist who was a part time music teacher. The preacher was my brother's father-in-law!

Have your wedding in the middle of the afternoon so no one expects to get fed at the reception and you can get by with cake, nuts, mints and punch.

I worked for a hotel chain at the time and was given a 1 night - count it - 1 night free stay at a hotel in Hot Springs, AR. It wasn't much - but it was free! We had what we consider our real honeymoon on our 10th wedding anniversary.

Having been married now for more than half my life, I seriously would recommend you do a simple wedding and blow your money on an outrageous honeymoon!

All I can say is Do what you expect from your special day, not what others are expecting. You won't be able to please all people so just please yourself and your future husband.
Good LUCK :)

Ha - wait till you get pregnant - the wedding questions are nothing! :)