Courthouse wedding / delayed reception

I am going the courthouse route. You should start by researching the courthouses in your area. I could have up to 50 guests if I wanted to. Mine charges only $10 (+$20 for the marriage license), so $30 total to be married. Anyways, if you invite people, you should still take them to lunch or dinner afterwards. You can still do all the traditional wedding stuff. I'm wearing a beautiful ball gown and getting the hair and makeup done, photographer, hired transportation services for us and our parents, going to carry a bouquet, etc. All the extra "fluff" can add up. You need to think about what you envision your wedding day to be. We are not doing a reception, but are having a luncheon directly after the wedding and spending more on our honeymoon.

There are a ton of scenarios between going to a courthouse and a big 'shebang".

You can do a lovely wedding ceremony at a nice restaurant with an officiant, music, photography, flowers, and yes, the dress, for 10-20 guests (your immediate family and two best friends),and dispense with everything else.

We do tons of these, and they're among our faves.

Thanks! I can't see myself spending so much on a wedding where all that money can go to something better ( house down payment) etc. I will defiantly do some research, seems like that's all I do anymore! Haha!

We both have huge families. I stressed for a day, then talked to my oldest aunt. She said most of them will be relieved to not feel obligated to travel and will totally understand that we have to keep it small. So, it's us and 50 guests who will have a great time in a lovely venue, in a fun city.

We did a small courthouse type deal (which actually ended up at a church officiated by a chaplain we work with) and are doing the ceremony next year on our 2nd anniversary so our families can finally come together and celebrate. The biggest reason for doing it this way was that our jobs took us across country but it gives us time to save money for the big day to be back in Florida.

As for advice or tips think about what YOU want to get out of the day. I wanted a white dress and DH to wear something beachy but dressy. We had our 2 closest friends there and that was it. After we went to lunch at a local place we all love and the day was just full of pure and genuine love. The intimate setting was very touching for both of us.

I have a cousin that had a courthouse wedding and they are having a big wedding this year on their 10th anniversary. I was going to do a courthouse wedding too because we have a really small budget, but my friends told me I should have a small wedding because you know, you only get married once, I rented a community center for $200 deposit and $100 rent, I'm trying to save as much as posible because I also think most of the money we save should go to our house fund. I also have awesome friends and family that are helping me a lot.

You can have a small ceremony now and then a bigger vow renewal later. If anyone comes to your ceremony, you have to treat them to a meal, so while it won't be a big reception, you still have to take them to lunch or have something catered at a venue.

Another option is to elope, just the two of you, if you want to get married now and that way, no need to pay for a meal for anyone else. Then have a vow renewal a few years from now.

Still another option is to have a small ceremony, then have a brunch-style reception, which is often cheaper, or have your wedding at a non-meal time (like 2 p.m.) and serve cake and punch to those who came.

Lots of options to choose from, depending on what you want.

Just do a courthouse wedding and take only your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents) out to eat.

I always feel like the ceremony now and reception after is very anti climatic.

I think plenty of couples have done this (courthouse ceremony & either a vow renewal with reception or a wedding celebration type party later). Some have a party for their 1st anniversary, which I think is awesome if it can't be done shortly after the wedding.

I agree with Powers2

We just went to a wedding in jersey this past Friday. The bride and groom were married in Kenya last year, (where he is from). So this celebration on Friday was an American ceremony. It was so much fun. I think it is totally fine to get married and then celebrate with family at a later date.