Under $1,000 wedding, what's your advice?

First narrow the guest list only to what you can afford. You can't have a wedding with a $1000 and 250 people. Second have it a community area like a park or if you have a church that you go to you may be able to have both the wedding and the reception there. If a family memeber asks if there's something they can do to help you out don't be affraid to offer something up. Also I read this book called "Wedding on a Budget" I can't remember the auther (wich I could now lol) but if you look it up you may be able to find something like it. Good luck =]

I would definitely say eliminate anything that you don't feel is necessary. And since you have plenty of time. Start some DIY projects. ( i was not a crafty person, but through some of the other WW post, I completed quite a few projects and they turned out nice.

How big or small of a wedding are you having?

Also one more thing: don't spend enormous amounts on something like the dress and then decied to skimp on the food lol.

I guest I should list what I have so far:

- Food (taken care of my family)
- Dress (taken care of my godparents)
- Honeymoon (taken care of his family)
- Church (free, i've attended for 5 years)
- Dj (Ipod)
- Photographer (close friend, she's truly amazing but might tip her as a thank you)

That is why I may be able to pull for a $1000 wedding

Ps, 70 guest + 30 children. (I don't find it to be a big deal since I'm not taking care of the food)

Seriously, invite 20 people and have a nice little intimate dinner. That will leave you with enough money to buy a dress, cake, invites etc. Better to have a nice party for a few people than a cheesy party for 100.

@Celia- amazing words...I've decided to follow them

@Brenda B, 100 guest is cutting down my guest list. (I'm sure you've heard of hispanics/mexicans having a big family, well I have an even bigger one). Really, 20 guest from the guest list is my FH's family lol Anyways, after failing my DIY invitations I've decided to not attempt anymore DIY projects. What a waste. Lesson learned

Considering that most of the expenses have been taken care of by your family, which is great, this isn't really a "1000.00" wedding......just saying......

@ Celia, true. But I was asking other brides that were having $1,000 weddings for advice. I just said that that was my personal budget. Either way, it wouldn't have been a lot more than that without the help. Atleast I don't think.

@ Brenda, thank you so much for your advice. I'm actually having Baby's breath be the centerpiece. If you google image it you'll see what I'm talking about. Went to tom thumb and each bouquet costs $4 Not bad.

For the invitations there are kits you can buy at craft stores that are already put together, you just have to print them from your computer.

@ Meagan S. The vendor King Design are making them for $35 I believe They are great! Sending me a sample before making the purchase so I know for sure it's what I want. They are so kind.

Anything can be done with creativity and some time and effort. I am spending just a bit more then that on my first celebration and let me tell you it's hard. I am having 50 guests or under and if the venue allows it we are going to be cooking on site. I am not having centerpieces, or flowers in general at this event. We are making a lot of what we will be using. Which in my opinion makes this so much better because I love crafting things. I think that saves me the most money honestly. However some people do not have those skills. What do you enjoy making? What MUST you have and what are the things you can live without? Do you have any friends that can assist you? For example, we have a friend that is a DJ. So we are asking him to wedding and getting a discount on services. I wish you the best in your endeavors!

Just a note.. you stated something about not worrying about the number of guests because you aren't paying for food but you'd be surprised by catering costs so even if mom and dad are footing the bill you might try to limit the guests... Our catering costs were low to moderate for our area and still came to over $3000.

So what is it that you have left to do?

Guest list of 100 with only $800 spent. message me for all my secrets lol

@ Elizabeth G,

- 1. Order invitations

- 2. Finish the favors

- 3. Rent Tux (In Jan/Feb)

- 4. Purchase Cake

- 5. Purchase Reception deco. (Centerpieces, etc)

- 6. Purchase wedding band (his)

- 7. Purchase gown accesossories

- 8. Purchase bridal party gifts

& lots of other little things.

@Stacey, yes luckily I do have A LOT of help from my fam. Truly blessed

@ Olive, message sent

@ Victoria, I see what your saying but I don't think my family will talk to me about it if it does end up being pricey. I think it's like a gift for us

- 1. Order invitations – I don’t know your theme but im making a very simple invite. Im going to be get them printed at staples or something. As far as design im sure one the girls on here can help you do that. Ill show you a pic of the invite im doing

- 2. Finish the favors – what kind of favors are you doing? Are they necessary? If so then do m&m’s wrapped in tulle ( they sell pre-cuts at dollar tree)

- 3. Rent Tux (In Jan/Feb) – I got FH for free because most places will do it for free if you have a certain amount that you are going to rent. Are you having a lot of grooms men?

- 4. Purchase Cake – eek those can be expensive I would suggest cupcakes or have a simple design

- 5. Purchase Reception deco. (Centerpieces, etc) – dollar tree! Ill give you a link of many inexpensive ideas

- 6. Purchase wedding band (his) – you can get that for free too and just pay shipping ill give you a link- 1. Order invitations – I don’t know your theme but im making a very simple invite. Im going to be get them printed at staples or something. As far as design im sure one the girls on here can help you do that. Ill show you a pic of the invite im doing

- 2. Finish the favors – what kind of favors are you doing? Are they necessary? If so then do m&m’s wrapped in tulle ( they sell pre-cuts at dollar tree)

- 3. Rent Tux (In Jan/Feb) – I got FH for free because most places will do it for free if you have a certain amount that you are going to rent. Are you having a lot of grooms men?

- 4. Purchase Cake – eek those can be expensive I would suggest cupcakes or have a simple design

- 5. Purchase Reception deco. (Centerpieces, etc) – dollar tree! Ill give you a link of many inexpensive ideashttps://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/for-the-ladies-that-need-centerpiece-help-lets-add-more-over-100-ideas/7fb10760a40825d3.html

- 6. Purchase wedding band (his) – you can get that for free too and just pay shipping ill give you a link

- 7. Purchase gown accessories – uh try ebay for that

- 8. Purchase bridal party gifts – I would buy those after Christmas when they have jewelry super inexpensive.

- 7. Purchase gown accessories – uh try ebay for that

- 8. Purchase bridal party gifts – I would buy those after Christmas when they have jewelry super inexpensive.

Well, the invitations are pretty much done. I just need to see the sample then order them. Honestly I tried doing them myself and it was a total fail. What I meant about the favors almost being done is that I've gotten all the supplies for them (its a box full of mints) and all I need is the mints which I'll purchase in Jan/Feb and finish all the box's then. I will go all out on the cake, it's a must. Thank you for your advice, it really is helpful

Check out this site for food, if you are making it yourself, I just found it today and I'm keeping our budget around 2500 but thats only because the venue is $850

http://www.bronzebudgetbride.com/magazine/category/6481/page/3

My budget was $2000.and i know were going a little over...but did pretty damn good.DIYing so much of it ourselves.

-Invites: we got a box of 40 including rsvps and envelopes for $16.its a DIY kit.if you have access to a printer then you can do em that way...im a screen printer..so i printed them by hand and bought black ribbon to decorate them...just mailed my first batch.ill post pics later..but if you can find a kit and print em yourself..saves alot!

-cake: Since your family is helping with food..maybe someone could make cupcakes..and you could get a smaller wedding cake.We got a smaller 2 teir cake for us and close family/bridal party..and 50 cupcakes all for 150 bucks.including delivery and set up...then were making 50 vegan cupcakes..thats plenty o cake!dont get too gourmet with fillings/frostings..all wedding cake is delish..so try smaller and maybe the cupcake thing.

-wedding band for him...my FH got his off overstock.$45.its one of the tungsten ones.they're nice too.