Anyone have some less expensive but cool wedding ideas?

Question

I don't want a traditional wedding but I want it to be special and different. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I got  married in May and spent less than $1,000 on the overall wedding as well. We got married barefoot in my parents back yard and we had a friend who was a notary officiate. We bought a big tent from Costco and set up a long table under it. We wraped christmas lights all around it so when it got dark it was really beautiful. We had a friend do the cooking for us so all we had to pay for was the food.

The thing that's really going to help you is having a small guest list. We really wanted to do a very small intimate wedding so our total guest list was 18 including the photographer (another friend) and caterer. Also, we skipped the flowers. Those eat up a lot of someone budget!  

Answer 2

A friend of ours got married on a beach. That was pretty cool!

Answer 3

Do alot of things yourself. Use artifical flowers instead of real ones. I got married May 12, 2007 and it cost us less than 1000 dollars but it was beautiful.

Answer 4

For those that don't want a traditional wedding, I've always loved the idea of a potluck-type reception. Rent a space at a state park (like a pavillion or something) and after the ceremony, which could be right there in the park as well), host an informal reception. Ask friends and family to make their favorite recipe and contribute the recipe toward a book that the two of you can use to start your own recipe book. That was it will have meaning to the two of you ... as in, the first foods you eat together as husband and wife are the recipes you'll continue to make for the rest of your lives. Then after the reception, you guys could photocopy the recipes, and create books for those who attended as an after-though favor.

Wear a cute, white sundress (but make you sure buy it special for the day!) DO hire someone to take photos because those are the memories you'll have forever. Have cupcakes for dessert instead of a cake. Do have flowers, but simple, small bouquets for you and your wedding party, should you decide to have one.

That's my idea of a beautiful, untraditional wedding :)

Answer 5

it all depends on when you plan to have your wedding. is it indoors or outdoors? use small potted trees or plants for centerpieces, brite colors,once you pick a theme i think we can give alittle bit better advice.  

Answer 6

Rice paper napkins. You can get them from Ecoparti. They're completely biodegradable, better for the environment than traditional cocktail napkins, beautiful, feel like silk, and VERY inexpensive. You can find them and a lot of other inexpensive and earth friendly items for your wedding at http://www.ecoparti.com. That's where I got mine.

Also, try Wal*Mart! I know it's one of the last places you think of when it comes to weddings, but trust me. In their crafts department, they usually have a few shelves dedicated to wedding stuff.

And try http://www.myglassslipper.com for your shoes. Most of the stuff on there is hyper expensive, but they do have a $15 dollar section with $9 shipping and handling.

Also, for my bride's maids? I made their hair pieces by getting a 6-foot metal/bead garland, cut it into long enough peices, and had circlets just the right size for each one. And have them supply their own dresses! I did that. My bride's maids didn't match, but they were all wearing the same color.

And try having a theme wedding. If you want a midieval/rennaisance theme, try http://www.castlegardencreations.com. They'll make everything to your measurements, and it doesn't matter how much the order is. The shipping and handling is always $3. Or maybe go with a theme to match your ancestry. My husband is Scottish, and I have a lot of Irish in me, so we had a lot of Celtic themed stuff, with hubby and his groomsmen all in kilts!

I also found some amazing deals on E-Bay, especially for the mother's gifts.

Above all, don't be afraid to make it your own or to ask for help!