I went to a wedding today AND....

To the ladies that said it isn't about what others think, it's about how you feel on that day, YEAH! There may be a few folks on WW that have large budgets to spend on their day and that's great. Most of us are average joes who have to work hard and although we want a beautiful wedding, we are trying to be practical and realize that it is simply about sharing our love for our special someone with family and friends. The more I plan this affair, the more I wish I had stuck with my original plan of a simple and elegant affair for my closest family only! People who love me and won't judge me by the arificial flowers I've chosen to use or have crude comments about the reception venue etc.

Meghan and camlynn2 I so agree with the both of you. I don't make that much especially on a soldiers paycheck. I too will have candles and flower petals for my table decorations. My caterer is providing clear plastic plates,cups,forks, and etc. I don't know how to take this I'm a bit offended by this but, maybe I'm a softee! I've been to plenty of weddings where they weren't comparing or judging or acting bougie. If you feel I have too little by all means please give me more money so I can uphold your (anyone) standards!

Camlynn2 thanks for signing my guest book! I feel loved I will go check out your page when I leave this dreaded place call work.

I will add that I am so glad that I am reading that so many of you are more concerned about the marriage and not so much the wedding day. Though I am in the industry I find it so sad when people go into debt to fund a wedding. Too many people I have met are still paying for their wedding and they aren't even married anymore. If you have the money to spare then go ahead to hearts content. But starting off heavily into debt I feel is the wrong way to go. I just say that if you do DIY be aware of what your own skill level is. Don't take on a job that you can't handle. And ask yourself is the stress of DIY worth it in the long run. And just because it's DIY is it cost effective because not all DIY projects are. It can cost you more.

I also want to say that I went to a cousin's wedding and it was nicely done and they spent less than $1000 but it was a small wedding. It was quaint and intimate. I think that's the other issue for many is they really need to decide about who they are inviting. Too often people want to invite 300-400 people but they can't afford it not to mention most they barely ever see or talk to and now you are willing to go into debt to fund an event bringing in people you probably won't speak to or see again for another 20 years if ever. That's my take on it. Save your money for the ones you love.

To all these ladies on a strict budget just a few tips on saving money…Have you thought of making your own flowers… I am and I can get 2 dozen roses any color for 12.99 at Costco. We have done this now for three family members and it works perfect! Get a couple girls together a few drinks and make your own boutonniere, corsages, centerpieces, and bouquets. I love flowers! At that price you could buy a thousand roses! They also have a huge selection of other flowers too! Good luck!

Ladies, it's not about her not having flowers or whatnot, it's just that I don't think they put enough into it at all! You may not have flowers at your wedding, but it can still look gorgeous, this wedding simply seemed tacky! low budget or not, I believe that you can still make it work for you. Maybe that worked for her, but for me, and my mom, and other friends I was with, we thought that she didn't try enough. My budget is between 3-5000 so I know how it is to be on a budget, but I will make the best out of it.. :-)

I had a low budget, at the end of the day I had spent only about $1,300 for the entire thing but I was really happy with how it all turned out. Part of me hoped that my DIY decorations came out nice and not tacky and if I had done enough to make it what I had wanted given what I had to start with but I was happy with not only being married (which was the whole point of the event) but I got a lot of compliments on my decorations and DIY projects. One friend of mine who is getting married this October approached me at one point and asked if it would be okay if she borrowed some of our ideas and used them for her wedding. Then another family friend even offered to buy some of my decorations from me to help with her daughter's wedding later this year.