Anyone not into wedding planning and eloping???

There's no problem with not wanting a big wedding!! I don't either, and you can keep it simple and cheaper and less stressful without eloping. It sounds like that's not really what you want, but just that you're overwhelmed. My recommendation is to look for a venue that does a lot of things for you. For instance, the one I'm looking at does centerpieces, catering, etc. so that's a lot fewer things for me to stress about! Just do invites not Save the Dates and I promise finding photographers doesn't have to be stressful!! But on the other hand, you can do a courthouse wedding and have your mom there and be in your dream dress with your bouquet. Pick what makes you the happiest, you can do this, and it will be worth it!!

We're inviting 22 people to witness our marriage and then feeding them afterward. It's really that simple. You can wear whatever dress you want, just get an officiant and some chairs and a pretty place, then take your family out to dinner or cater them at your house/someone's house.

Don't have the wedding you don't want. Small weddings are still just as valid, and you don't need to elope to keep it intimate.

My oldest daughter had 11 people (immediate family) at her wedding. She wore a bridal gown, we had dinner in a reserved room at Ditka's in downtown Chicago, a wedding cake, flowers, the whole deal. Only regret was not hiring a photographer. You can have an awesome wedding on a budget, just keep it small.

We never wanted a big wedding, got kind of pressured into it (because FH and I are people pleasers), and then we both grew a pair and scrapped that and now we are planning an intimate destination wedding. We will have about 15 guests in attendance; we are only inviting parents, grandparents, FH's siblings and his daughter, and my best friend (I'm an only child so she is like my sibling). After our ceremony we are hosting a dinner for everyone at a small restaurant and we are order a couple of small cakes as well. We were able to significantly reduce our budget by doing this, we are no longer anxious about getting married in front of a billion people, and we still have our nearest and dearest with us. Sure you could elope, but if you really want certain people there, host an intimate/small wedding instead.

I wish... I wanted to elope, but he wants a wedding. I keep telling him that we should just grab our officiant (who's a close friend/beloved mentor) and climb to the top of a mountain. But I think he thinks I'm joking haha...

But if that's what you both want, I say go for it! You can definitely keep it simple! You can get a small church or chapel, or do it in someone's back yard! Get a couple of heavy appetizer options and keep decor minimal with maybe a case of flowers on the tables.

I also like what Taryn said about the courthouse wedding!

We are doing more elopements and semi-elopements every year.....(2-30 people). We have a dozen little parks and a castle that can do up to 15 guests without a fee, and they are all lovely.

Don't do a courthouse unless you have a fab one like NYC or SF. Get an officiant, find a great dress, do flowers and a photographer and music. It will be gorgeous and you can still have your fave people there!

We seriously considered an elopement. If we had gone that route, we would have invited our immediate families (8 adults, 3 children) because we did not want to get married without them (and they would have been devastated). You can have a wedding with just your and your FH's parents, and it will be beautiful and special.

Not sure where you are located but in DC they have pop up weddings (https://popwed.co) which is more celebratory than eloping but not crazy overwhelming like a wedding. We considered doing it but then decided on a DW.

FW and I are having a private ceremony (just the two of us). We both weren't into planning a huge shindig but we are both enjoying the plans we have made.

@CeliaMilton: The Santa Barbara California Court House is also beyond beautiful.

We are! Just us, and two other couples at an all inclusive in Jamaica. We're having a semi private dinner and cake. I still got a dress and a bouquet. But, no DJ or anything like that. It simplifies the process to be legally married here prior to having the ceremony there. So our parents will be at the courthouse with us for that part.

I think, if that's what you want it's perfectly acceptable. Some people might be upset, or want you to do things differently. But ultimately your wedding is about what you and FH want and how you want to celebrate your marriage, it's not about anyone else.

Look into elopement packages at bed and breakfasts!! They usually allow 10-30 people and come with everything.

FH really wanted to elope but I absolutely could not imagine getting married without my family there. So our immediate family will be joining us in Las Vegas. Most of those places have all inclusive packages which takes away a good bit of stress but not all. We won't have the classic reception with dancing but we get to treat everyone to what will be an amazing dinner. Just do what makes you and your FH happy.

Also, a church was important to my FMIL but that's just not us and I'm not about to start my married life catering to other people's wishes. Good luck!