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If I had a good plan, I wouldn't be posting here asking for advice!

After reviewing your situation I encourage you to go with your vegas idea and possibly invite your frind along as a witness. Even so, I think that your friend will understand considering the state of the economy.

Idea:
If you are planning on hiring a photographer, you can always stage your wedding photos. Allow her to buy a dress that compliments your vision and include her as well as other individuals of importance in the photo shoot! That way, she was included and you did not spend a fortune.

Of course there are other creative elements that you could include. I would be more than happy to provide other ideas if welcomed.

Faithe

1. Schedule a time for photos
2. Choose a few romantic areas for Pictures
3. her to the photoshoot and You can always allow her to purchase her dress and set up a photo shoot

Thanks for the response... that's more or less what I was looking for.
This is what I have booked already: (and paid deposits for)
1) Venue $750 deposit - remaining $6500
2) Dress/veil/headpiece, etc) all paid for
3) DJ booked & paid for (was looking for a different one though - too expensive!) $25 deposit - $1700 remaining
4) Flowers booked $180 deposit $540 remaining

I still don't have a photographer or a cake...

I don't know what to do... I am at a loss.
The other things are:
1) I am not 100% certain that my out of town friends will come
2) I don't know if my friend can even afford her dress. She is out of work and her husband is barely able to squeeze the bills by. (they have two girls too) I just feel bad because we have been best friends for like 7 years and I know her financial situation may not allow her to buy the dress she wants AND come all the way up here to Virginia from Florida.
3) No family other than my mother and son will be there.

Cost - vegas (everything- 2500.000)

BBQ with officiant & photographer for 75 people- ($3000.00)

Good luck- if yuo have any questions please feel free to email me at waterroseevents@yahoo.com

Good Luck with everything- Jim

My heart goes out to you because your decisions are heart decisions. Even so, let’s take a look at each area of concern:

1. The money that you lose is nothing in comparison to what you will spend if you pay your current remaining balance. $8920…Also, I promise you that the costs will continue to escalate as your date nears.
2. Honestly, your friend may be wondering how she will be able to fully support you considering her temporary financial situation. Have you ever considered that she may secretly want to express her concerns but does not want to seem unsupportive? Either way, you have every right to honor your money as well as honor your intuitive skills. Just be honest with her. We can talk about options sending her something special later.
3. Let’s say that you did not have money concerns and you poured money and time into planning your day and not many people were to show up…Bummer! Not only would you feel embarrassed but you would feel as if you totally wasted your money!
Tami, I really think that you should plan your intimate day in Vegas guilt free. Spurge and have fun. Take great pictures, frame them and send them to supportive family and friend! This is your moment in time! Call your dear friend and break it all down. Because she is your friend, she will understand!

p.s. I am cheering for you!

Faithe

It's true, it will be much less expensive to fly your friend and even the other 2 or 3 people that you really want to Vegas.

There are hundreds of chapels out here... for $2000 you can fly out here, get married, have a very good photographer, take your friends/family to a nice dinner, and still have a little "fun" money left over.

If you decide to come out here, January is typically a slower month so we'd love to talk to you about some highly discounted photography packages. We can also recommend some nice chapels and restaurants, and "things to do".

Good luck with your situation!

Well we decided to cancel our wedding and just run to Vegas and get married.
The DJ is now trying to charge me $850 for not using him at our event. Hopefully, he'll book someone and we don't have to worry.

We already have our plane tickets booked, hotel booked, and chapel booked (everything is paid for). $1300 total. We get a free limo, 4 nights at the Imperial Palace right on the strip... and a great time for us to look forward to.

OH - and we're getting married August 8th. So our anniversary will be 08/08/08!!!!

This is working better for us in the long run. We have everyones blessing - so we're very happy and can't wait.

Thanks all!

I'm glad you've found a solution to your woes!

I am worried, though, that your DJ is trying to trick you out of money. What does your contract say? Do you have a contract? If not, you owe him nothing, and don't let him fool you. For us, and pretty much everyone else in the wedding world, your deposit is all you owe if you cancel the wedding. He should have charged you more for the deposit! It sounds like he's inexperienced and didn't realize that these things really do happen...and now he's doing a money grab because he thinks he can get away with it. Don't let him!