courthouse/elopment then a pretty reception...whats the problem??

[flygurl8004]

Questions for you all.....

I'm seriously considering the courthouse wedding with a reception to follow the next day.

I'm also seriously considering the elopment idea to. It's more personal (so I've heard) and a dinner or something could follow afterwards.

I've looked into the cost for just the wedding alone and I just know it will put my FH and I into a major rut money wise...we just signed a year lease for an apartment that my DD and I are moving into this weekend...then he'll move in after we get married.

I already know which dress my DD and i would wear and the total cost for them. 650-700 Max....Personally I wouldn't mind NOT having a dress. Maybe just getting a cheaper one from a bridal discount store thats more casual for the reception.

I'd also like to NOT have a DJ...I'd love to have a father daughter dance but I think that could be arranged another way.

I'd love a more personal setting...and not so formal...

is that wrong....am I being stupid? People are saying I need to have a wedding...I DESERVE a wedding (because of all the crap I've gone through and being a single mom) I just know I love my FH and I want to marry him and still have money the next month to buy grocerys!! :)

I think it would be perfect...I have so many ideas in my mind for it...its what I want...but its not what anyone else wants...ARG :rolleyes:

[alley06]

A couple people on here have done that and I know my FH's cousin did it this summer. They went out to Vegas and got married. She wore her wedding dress and all. Then they ***e back and a month later they had a full blown reception. There is nothing wrong with that. About the only thing different was the wording of the invitation. It said something like "come help celebrate the marriage of..."

[fmil0625]

My son was in law school when he and his wife got married. They eloped in Las Vegas but everyone was invited. She had a wedding dress from David's, brides maids and we had their reception at the Rio in their suite. We got the cake, champagne and beer from Costo, I got deli platters from Albertsons and had a nice arrangement of flowers delivered to their room the day of the wedding. It was great! Everyone had a good time, all the basics got done and no stress.

[Lacey]

You do deserve a wedding of your dreams. But the catch to that is the your dreams are your own. If you just want a small affair at the courthouse and then a nice reception afterwards that is totally fine. Your guests aren't going to mind. They are just going to be happy that you and you FH are finally together as one. Do what you want. If anyone has an issue with it, they will get over it.

[flygurl8004]

see thats nice I like both ideas....

although I really dont want to fly anywhere I'd just rather do something here and make my friends back yard be a wonderland...with white lights and such.. I just want it to be fun and relaxed....i'm all about that....i freak out over stressful things..and i want to not freak out...i've had way to much stress this past year to "look forward" to more.

I told my FH that we should just have beer and pizza and my moms carrot cake (his favorite) and spend time with our family and close friends...we'll see .... boy oh boy will he have a lot to listen to when he gets home tonight. :)

[dgirl12]

That sounds like a great idea!!!! :) My mom keeps saying that the family can provide all the food if we want to save alot of money and do the 'potluck' reception instead of catered food.

[GINAD922]

Where are you located? My husband & I went to a bed & breakfast in TN to get married. It was close enough to home so that we didn't have to fly and friends & family could come watch the event if they wanted. We were married outside in a gazebo. It was very romantic. They played music during the ceremony & after so that we could dance. They provided a wedding cake and sparkling cider for a toast. It was great. When we returned we had a reception the following weekend at a park close to our home. It was very casual & we personally enjoyed it more than a formal reception.

A lot of B&B's have "elopement" packages for $500 & under. Most of them will also have packages that include the wedding & weekend stay at the B&B for a set price.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do. :)

[fmil0625]

Our best friends got married in their backyard and it was beautiful. She hung tulle all around the fence so even that looked pretty! She and her sister in law made all the food for the reception so the wedding really didn't cost too much money. They then went on a nice honeymoon in Hawaii. I think the honeymoon is where you should spend your money! :)

[flygurl8004]

I like the wedding in the backyard...I'm having the recep. in my ffiends backyard....the wedding could be in the same place...that would make it very small and just very close friends and family.

Just something relaxing and romantic...not stressful and expensive!!!

[alley06]

I like the wedding in the backyard...I'm having the recep. in my ffiends backyard....the wedding could be in the same place...that would make it very small and just very close friends and family.

Just something relaxing and romantic...not stressful and expensive!!!

Sounds like a great wedding! Or depending on how her house is laid out, if there's enough room, you could get married inside and then move the party outside for your reception.