$1000 wedding?

You can do an elopement for that amount but not a wedding. Even if you diy its still more than that.

Is this your total budget? I recommend taking both parents out to dinner after a private ceremony.

You could do a nice dinner or a backyard ceremony with close friends and family by keeping it small.

So far we have a park like back yard of a friends to use, doing potluck/ bbq reception

Finding a venue for $1000 is going to be tough let alone the whole wedding. Is this for the entire wedding or just specific things like decor or centerpieces?

Invite only immediate family, have the ceremony at City Hall, or at the restaurant where you take them all for lunch or dinner.

View Quoted Comment Have a free venue, via a friend's park like back yard, and doing a potluck/ bbq reception

View Quoted Comment Bbq from a caterer or restaurant: absolutely. Potluck: avoid it. It's just a hassle you don't need on your wedding day. You can find restaurants who can provide everything you'll need at reasonable prices.

Passing the cost onto your guests by making them bring food is not proper hosting. But I predict someone will come along and insists that it's ok because it's your daaaay.

I'll just wait here for that to happen.

Thank you. I will look into that

We got married in the same park he proposed in. We had only 4 guests and then went out to lunch with everyone to my favorite restaurant. We also ordered a small single tier wedding cake. We spent less than $500. It was absolutely perfect for us.

How many people?

Wear a white dress from Ross or TJMaxx, spend no more than $50. Do your own hair and makeup, and wear jewelry and shoes you already own.
Don't do a backdrop or arch, unless you can literally make it yourself nearly free or borrow from a friend for free. The fake flowers for mine cost like $150, not even including the actual structure they went on.
FI can also wear cheap clothes or ones they already own.
Disposable plates/cups/napkins.
Cake from Costco is actually really good and like $25 for one that feeds 30-40 people.
No dancing or entertainment, because even a cheap DJ will cost $500. For a backyard bbq feel, maybe yard games?
Minimize paper products - no signs, menus, save the dates, programs, etc. - invites and rsvps only.
You don't really need bouquet/boutenniers/etc., if you really want them look into making them yourself.
Stick to just beer (in coolers) or beer and wine. Self serve, although WW hates this concept.

Join local Facebook bride groups to buy stuff from people local to you at discounted prices.
Minimize your guest list, as food/drink will be your biggest expense.
If you use someone's house, plan to bring toilet paper and anything else your guests will use a lot of, or reimburse the owners for that stuff.

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When you host a wedding reception, you're thanking the guests for coming to the ceremony. Currently you're asking your guests to fund your wedding by doing potluck. Not to mention food safety, quantity issues, what about OOT guests, where do they cook? Are people expected to BYOB? Basically you're expecting your guests to provide your wedding for you. That's not good hosting and not appropriate to ask people to do.

What about a courthouse ceremony followed by dinner in a private area of a restaurant for immediate family for your $1000?

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This is a great idea!

View Quoted Comment Keep in mind there are still “fees” with a free venue. You need chairs, tables, rain plan (tent) etc. The best way to have a “cheap” wedding is to have a tiny guest list.

View Quoted Comment Do this...scrap your original plan. A reception is to thank your guests. You are not thanking them, you are making the work not to mention the host of other issues that makes a potluck reception a bad idea.

Elope.......

Courthouse ceremony and then nice dinner with close family & friends

I think this is totally doable for 25 guests or less. Do a flower alternative (like pinwheels), rent a covered structure at the park and get some budget catering. (Is there a Boston Market near you?)

Have your wedding catered. I think this can be done but it's gonna be small and tough. See if you can get a student or photographer for like an hour. USE A CATERER. Or do it at a non meal time and have some apps and things from Costco. Grocery store cake. Make your bouquet but don't use any other flowers. Minimal decor (borrowed and bought secondhand). I really don't think you could do this for more than maybe, MAYBE 20 guests.