How are you affording this?

If your budget can’t accommodate the wedding you want right now, you could consider pushing it back while you save more money.

I'm sorry but I may be a little confused. You said he's a LEO? Like as in his astrological sign???

I’ve been saving for 2 years...it’s a struggle

View Quoted Comment It stands for law enforcement officer

Yeah, NJ is unfortunately very, very expensive. We were only able to afford our wedding because both of our parents chipped in as well. Honestly, your best bet is to have it in NC or cut the guest list a lot. Also, in my experience, those pp estimates didn't include taxes and fees, so they were not the true per person cost estimate.

Look in Upstate NY for places.... they can be cheaper and close to the family.

We had our reception at a holiday inn in southern NJ and got the cost down to $91/pp incl. Taxes and it covered a lot of the reception things (food, wedding cake, open beer and wine package, centerpieces and an added on mashed potato bar)

Ask if doing it on a less popular day like a Monday or doing only beer and wine would decrease cost. Maybe off season. Maybe a morning wedding. But also, you have to do guest cuts to really save.

😩 I would love to be able to cut the guest list but I have a huge family, just my side is about 70 people and he has a extended family whose weddings we attended so we feel obligated to invite.

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OHHHHHHH LOLOLOL I was like what does himm being a LEO have to do with anything. I am dying over here right now. I am so slow lol

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I agree with pp. I am from Baltimore but live in NC and we're having it here to keep cost down and I think I got a really good deal

I took on a side job and for six months although it was a lot of work and super tiring, it pretty much paid for my half of the wedding. He did the same too.
But I think I agree with the other PPs in that you can cut costs down by getting a community center and bringing in cheaper catering options like Mexican or Italian and cutting guest lists if possible. Or if even that is too much it's totally ok to have a wedding later on

NJ is a very expensive wedding area. I’m getting married in Indiana and we’re still feeling financial pressure. Weddings are crazy expensive! But you absolutely can do it on a smaller budget. I would urge you to rethink reciprocal invites, just because you were invited to a wedding doesn’t mean you need to invite someone. Their finances and even your relationship at the time of their wedding are likely different. We’re keeping the guest list small, which is a great way to cut costs. We’re also only doing wine and beer, we’re not having programs, no DOC, no favors, no florals in the centerpieces, a buffet, and we found two nice but relatively inexpensive venues. I’d much rather downsize than push my wedding date, but as others have mentioned that is an option. It’s not the wedding I planned on Pinterest but it will be beautiful and at the end of the day spending more won’t make me any more married.

Take a deep breath and relax.

First, make a list of what you need as far as decorations, 💐s, etc...

Then, determine which of those that you can complete realistically via diy.

We also live in an expensive area. We cut our guest list and cut it even more to fit our venue's capacity. This meant leaving a lot of people we love off the guest list but we have found ways to let them know how much they mean to us. We found a non-traditional venue and are working with friends of friends to hire photographers and caterers. We skipped most of the decorations, all the flowers, the DJ, and bought our attire online for much less than we would have paid in boutiques. I'm also doing my own make-up and my friend just offered to do my hair as a wedding gift. We don't have a lot, but are comfortable. We sold a bit of stock to pay off the big things, but we are just making the wedding we want in a way we can afford. It is not exactly easy but it can be done.

We barely are, and our budget is a lot smaller than most. My saving help has been Amazon. I do only surveys and stuff and have for years. Normally just cashed in for grocery cards, but i've been cashing them in the for wedding since I don't work. I didn't want my FH to have to pay for everything.

You definitely dont want to go into debt for a wedding. I would do what you can afford

View Quoted Comment I thought the same thing lmaooo I saw LEO I’m like wait I’m a leo what does that have to do with anything lol

If you can’t afford your dream wedding now I’d postpone it until you can or have an intimate wedding inviting only those closest to you and then have a party later

View Quoted Comment Don't worry, it was my first thought too! 😂