Wedding budget at $5000

It's possible, but it's hard work. We had 125ish and spent between 5k and 6k. It was hard work, but for us it was worth it. Sales, discounts, no flowers, and yes, we had friendors (our officiant runs an officiant business on the side/weekends and demanded we accept her as a present, which we accepted). We had BBQ that was smoked on the premises and people still talk about. It was very DIY, and the area wasn't an expensive one. Was is the most beautiful wedding I've been to? No (OKD's was, by the way), but we wanted casual and fun. We had tons of food, beer, wine, cake, etc.

Just be careful to find good deals and don't expect anything fancy.

ETA: Please feed your guests. 7 or 8 means dinner. It can be BBQ, food trucks, whatever. But food is a must.

You need to accept reality. You can't beautifully host 100 people with a wedding budget of $5K. If you try, you will have disappointed guests who believe they've been invited because they represent a gift.

You only invite people you can properly host. You need to serve your guests a full meal or plenty of apps (and an app only reception is not a way to save money. In fact, it's often more expensive). You should serve cocktails, and if you can't afford to host a minimum of beer and wine along with plenty of apps, then you need to cut your guest list until you can serve them enough food (apps or dinner) until they feel full.

You can do a cake and punch reception, but you absolutely have to advise your guests (via invitation) that your shortened (it has to be a shortened reception -- no longer than 2 hours) reception does not include a meal. If you go the cake and punch route, it has to be between lunch and dinner. No mealtime reception is appreciated if it doesn't include a meal.

Then, you have to let the chips fall where they may. Your closest friends and family members will probably attend a cake/punch reception. Beyond those people, plan on receiving quite a few declines. If you invite people to a cocktail/app reception, realize that five apps a piece aren't going to do it (and that's why I said an app only reception is not a budget friendly alternative). If your guests are hungry and there is nothing but soft drinks in the place of cocktails (or your guests are limited by drink tickets or a cash bar), you can expect an early exodus.

My advice is that you find a way to serve a budget friendly buffet with beer and wine -- even if you have to cut your guest list in half.

ETA: I'm firmly opposed to using family members or friends as "vendors". Not only is it rude to ask a guest to work a wedding (it's a hell of lot of work to function as a vendor at a wedding, and the average individual has no idea what they're getting into or what they're doing), but a bad result could forever impact an otherwise good relationship.

@celia

Is that the same as they offer it as this is their gift to us?

I would go with different photographers if they hadn't had offered it as a gift.

OMG @ Becoming a Mrs EXACTLY.

I think that's why I hate it so much (also I hate burlap) but it's like the whole idea of "rustic" has turned into this cobbled- how can I DIY cheap way to make this look like a decorated party.

it hurts my feelings.

It's a hard question to answer Kelsey, because every relationship (and every level of expertise) is different. I've done weddings and ceremonies for several of my friends, but I've only done one as a gift. I'd probably not use someone as a vendor just because they offered it, because I'm a bit more or a control freak than that, lol....

Accepting services as a gift means, really, being prepared to accept whatever happens on the day. I don't know if I could do that......

@celia that makes sense

Thank you for the reply