Wedding or No Wedding??

Ohh everyone gets the "did you set a date yet" 5 seconds after getting engaged. Just do your wedding when and how you want. It doesn't have to be grand and elaborate to be fun!

Don't go into debt over a wedding. Have a wedding that you can afford. If that is a courthouse wedding with a family lunch to follow, have that.

$4000 is definitely doable, sometimes absurdly easy to do depending on where you live. In LA or NYC, its rough but in a small town, its really simple.

Your first order of business should be to draw up a budget. List what you need, scout prices, that sort of thing and decide what you can and cannot afford. You can get a cake from the grocery store for $100 and just have a cake and punch reception. If you belong to a church, check with them because sometimes they let members get married there for really cheap or even free. You can look into parks, or even a family member's big backyard.

A "real wedding" is one that ends with your being really married. It can be large or small, formal or casual. So I'd focus on how to spend that $4,000 to get the features that are most important to you, instead of thinking you need to make a choice between a "real wedding" and something else.

A REAL wedding is one where you and your FH exchange vows and make it official. Anything more than that is a celebration and can be whatever you want it to be! My wedding is going to be a friend BBQing at a reception hall with bottled drinks and an iPod. And we're going to love every minute of it! Congratulations and happy planning!

It's totally possible to have a great wedding with $4,000. Start with the guest list. Make sure you really get it down to just those that are MOST important- the day wouldn't be the same without them! Have a cash bar. Skip things that aren't important like programs, menus, anything monogrammed, favours etc. BBQ is usually the cheapest choice for food, make cupcakes or a simple cake, don't buy a designer dress, use an ipod and rent a speaker for the dance.

Some of those ideas aren't part of people's ideal weddings but they will work with your budget and everyone will still have a good time.

Woo Hoo DATE TWIN!! (If thats what date you decide on!)

I agree, do not go into debt! Do what you can afford. If you want to put it off to save money, do that.

Make a list of priorities (what you will spend the most money on)

Also check out this blog, http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/, she has some great advice for budgets of all sizes.

Yes that is do able.... and 5 seconds after proposal the questions started.... LOL

and I am truly on a 5000.00 budget....

getting ready to chk out CrtnJ's website....thanks

For $4000 you can have a lovely wedding. You have to get a little more creative with your budget sometimes but it's totally doable!!! I would say that if you are marrying the love of your life you would regret having a wedding more than not.

But just keep reminding yourself it's about you and your FH, not about your guests! Do what makes you happy and what's true to your relationship.

Do NOT go into debt for a wedding. You are very smart to realize that is a horrible idea! You can definitely have a great wedding for the price. Keep the guest list small, keep the alcohol limited and shop smart for things like dresses, food and flowers. Ask for help. And, pick a few things that are really important and be willing to compromise (or let go) of the rest. Good Luck!

If you get married at a casual, fall party - it's still a wedding. Do you mean casual, fun wedding vs. elegant and extravagant wedding? If so, do what you can afford.

A real wedding is one after which you are legally married to your love. Whether while surrounded by hundreds or only tens, that legal (and loving) bond is what's important at the end of the day. Host what you can afford-- a party isn't worth going into debt over.

There are quite a few brides on here with a $5,000 wedding budget - and you can still have the wedding of your dreams. My budget is $10,000 - which I know is over your limit. Just know that budget weddings usually means a smaller guest list (since food/drink costs a lot!). I'm only have 40 at my wedding - Immediate family and close friends only (no children at the reception).

http://www.boho-weddings.com/2013/10/01/colourful-laid-back-wedding-all-under-5000/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bridal-guide/how-to-plan-a-5000-wedding_b_2963649.html

http://www.knittedbliss.com/2009/04/5000-wedding-how-we-did-it.html

http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/scheduling-the-big-day-wedding-timelines/#utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+BudgetSavvyBridesWeblog+(The+Budget+Savvy+Bride)

I totally understand what your going through! My budget is $5,000. There are so many things you can DIY. Cut costs by having a smaller guest list. Find a reception/ceremony venue that is free (parks, your backyard, friend or family property, etc. ) or relatively cheap. I believe it can be done! One of my friends got married at the lake close to where we live and it was gorgeous. She rented a lake house and decorated everything herself. Her wedding cost under $5000.

My budget is only $3,000 and I am using a lot of DIY and giving myself lots of time to accomplish everything. I am under budget because of careful planning. It is possible. Use as many personal connections as possible. Keep your guest list intimate and remember its just a day to celebrate your love and joy. We are here if you have questions. Congrats on your engagement!

Were not letting ourselves go over 2500. So far were not even at 1000 with dress. Its definitely possible. Were making food, diying most of the stuff and the location is outside at a park so it was cheaper then a venue

Don't go into debt, we set our date our far enough that we have time to save. I had people saying, why move it out so far if you know you want to marry them? But you have to ignore those people because they aren't the one paying! Our budget started out at 10k and is up to 15k, but it works for us.

Honestly I think everyone gets the date question as soon as they share the news. My FH and I didn't pick a date until 10 months after we got engaged. Our wedding will be next October. There are so many ways of keeping your budget down. We're doing a destination wedding in Jamaica so our cost will be under 5000. There is also the courthouse or even a backyard wedding. My FH neighbour had their wedding in the backyard and it turned out perfectly for them. Lots of options. Don't stress.

Ummm yea my REAL wedding will be done for around $4000, with around 150 people. Its doable! You just have to figure out your priorities!