On a $4,000 budget

Plenty of lw budget stuff that isn't 100 miles away. He'll, Lambertville station Inn is outside new hope on the jersey side and it would have cost us 2500 for dinner and we could have had the ceremony there to.

Ignore Melissa, your friends are not your slaves or interns. All the work is you and your fiance's responsibility.

Oh, and if you do just appetizers, please make sure the ceremony and reception do not occur during a meal time.

Normally I always say things like this are doable but they are normally in a non expensive area. Ex small town Midwest wedding with crazy bargain hunting and non traditional catering options and for 180 people we are at almost 7k. For being in 2018 you should be able to save a hell of a lot more than 4k. If not you will need to change something.

Ya do not listen to Melissa. Your friends are not your slaves. SAVE MONEY you have 27 months.

No Melissa. Don't do that. Your wedding is not, "hey kids, let's hang a blanket and put on a show".

It IS doable. For 20 guests, maybe 30. Not for 90.

I'm in Va where things are a LOT cheaper than NJ. We are struggling to stay within an $8K budget for 70 people. And that is with some seriously discounted services (photographer, DJ), a sample wedding dress, & officiant who refuses to take any money.

I would look closely at all of the suggestions and find what works for you. Another suggestion is finding a credit card that gives you cash back (BoA, Ebates, Capital One) and pay all your monthly bills with it. You make sure to take the money you were spending on bills every month and pay that card off. It's a small way to get a little extra cash in the wedding fund.

Thank you everyone for the response! I know it seems impossible but I will take some of your advise and look at parks etc.

Why don't you take our advice and cut the guest list? You seriously do not have enough money to entertain 90 people in 2018, even if your park is free. Go back and read Spazzy's post again.

People hear what they want to hear.

Yea ill cut some more off my guest list but my main concern is the venue and food. I have a cousin who's a DJ, another who's a photographer, a friend who's a beautician so that gets all the tedious things out the way.

Not sure if OP is clueless or in denial...or both.

Start contacting vendors for quotes and you will really start to see how expensive weddings are... That's how I learned lol

For my sisters wedding I ended up having to help with 2 things-handing out programs and then helping serve the food. I missed so much of the wedding and reception it totally sucked. After that I could never make any of my family or friends ever"work" at my wedding. Also keep in mind if you do a park wedding you will need to rent chairs. The cheapest around here is 1.5 for standard chairs.

You need to trim your guest list down that's unrealistic and red Bank NJ is expensive to begin with. You have until mid 2018 save ur buns off and cut that guest list.

I am in the process of planning a $5k wedding for 50 people. This is for my best friend in the entire world so I'm working completely for free. I'm also letting her use anything she wants from my rental warehouse for free. And we are both pulling in every single favor and connection we have. It's still going to be extremely difficult.

I hope you're able to figure something out, but with that budget, you're much better off doing a destination wedding with only your wedding party/absolutely closest family members.

If you're less than 40 people, you can do something nice at, for example, the RIU Palace Las Americas in Cancun, Mexico. I was there a couple of years ago on vacation, so I met with their wedding specialist and got pricing. The pricing was for 2014 so I'm sure it's gone up, but still may be totally doable in your price range. If, of course, you're willing to cut down that guest list.

RIU CAPRICE Wedding Package 2014 Includes the following, for 20 – 40 guests:

• Wedding coordinator to assist you in your special day (although she doesn't do much and they have a high turnover rate).

• Decoration set up for the ceremony location (basically they put up an altar flower or a simple arch)

• Bridal Bouquet

• Matching Boutonniere for the Groom

• CD or recorded music during the ceremony

• Semi private dinner at one of their specialty restaurants

• Wedding cake

• Sparkling wine (during the main toast only)

• Special decoration in the room (extra flowers)

• Complimentary room upgrade for the wedding couple subject to availability upon arrival (External Jacuzzi Suites are not included)

• Riu T-Shirts for Bride and Groom (Woohoo!)

• Surprise Spa gift

• Witnesses, if required

• Minister/Judge Service

• Marriage Certificate

• Romantic massage for Bride and Groom

• Hairstyle for the Bride

• Manicure for the Bride

• Pedicure for the Bride

• 10% discount on all Spa treatments for the Bride and Groom

• 10% discount on all Spa treatments for the wedding guests (available only if reserved on line at www.renovaspa.com/reservations.htm)

• Late check-out for the wedding couple subject to availability

• Breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding

• Fruit with chocolate & bottle of sparkling wine

• Two bags of petals

CIVIL CEREMONY $2,730.00 USD / RENEWAL OF VOWS $2,575.00 USD / RELIGIOUS CEREMONY $2,575.00 USD

This package is for up to 40 people. That’s not bad. If you were to break that down, it’s about $64 – $68 per person if you have 40 guests for EVERYTHING including your flowers, hair and makeup, ceremony, reception, everything except dancing. That’s kind of awesome.

Whatever you decide, it's gonna be a lot of hard decisions to make, so best of luck!

I suggest have a cruise wedding. I had about a 6k budget and that's including the cabin. I'm inviting 80 or so people and expect 30-35 to show.

I'm sorry but you won't be able to do that. I planned on at most 70 people and estimated atleast 5000 not including my dress. But your wedding is far enough away that you'd be able to save way more money than 4000 if you try and manage your money correctly..good luck

I agree with not being able to stay within that budget. Unless you comprise and just have the reception at your house or something. For 100 guests my food alone (the cheapest plate) costs $4,300 and that is not including sales tax and a 20% service charge. Stuff really adds up

Absolutely, This is your Wedding.... I will have the same budget for mine....not going to go into a marriage in debt.. Let all the negative people spend a fortune on theirs.... So a backyard, park etc...try for a free place for wedding and ceremony....only thing with it outside is the rain...I may have a flexible time frame due to weather. I have a friend doing cake (wedding gift) 2 friends to do Photography....at a low price...I will get pictures after not on this budget, but when I can afford. dress ebay $120 Will get a team to help with food have a retired friend who cooked for crowds like this , Buy the food at Sam Club. will need to rent tables and chairs and linen....plastic for the plates and utensils...Re-using decorations from my sister and nieces wedding...favors e-bay, And I will buy my own booze.... I have no doubt on doing a wedding on this budget.... It shall be fun!!!! Good luck and Remember this is your day, Do it your way....who cares what others think...They can take care of their own and you will yours!!!!

Ps...My friends are also musicians so I may get them to play a few songs, And I will make a cd for the sound system, and flowers are from nieces wedding too

Since your wedding isn't until 2018, try making a goal to save $100 a month .. Even if you put $50 and your FH puts $50 a month.. You would have $24,000 or close to it depending on the date you want to get married!