Here are some stories from actual couples who managed to have a wedding for less than $1000.
Wedding in the Woods
One couple, featured on the Off-Beat Bride blog, managed to pull off their whole affair for under $1000. The wedding included a woodland setting in a state park, a handmade dress that came in at about $100 and offering the guests meat and cheese trays and cupcakes in lieu of the traditional wedding feast and cake. The bride’s friends took care of her hair and make-up and as the bride and groom were both photographers, the photography was professional-grade and low-cost.
Simple Urban Wedding
One New York City couple had a very simple wedding for around $500. They ordered their rings online for about $50. Took the train to the courthouse and paid the license fees. Afterward, they treated their wedding party to lunch.
Homespun Wedding
Another couple chose to wed at home. They spent about $200 on rings. Including the license, food, a new dress shirt for him that he would wear again and a dress for her that she would also wear again, the total came in under $600.
Chicago Style
One commenter on the Off-Beat Bride explained that she and her fiancé planned to get married at the Chicago Cultural Center. Once a month couples having a city hall wedding can marry at the Cultural Center-- a popular wedding venue-- for free. Officiants will perform ceremonies for a limited period of time and couples can have up to 20 guests in attendance. Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance. The cost is simply the fee for the license as well as a small court fee. Including the bride’s $85 dress, she estimated her total wedding costs would be under $500.
Wedding Surprise
One bride and groom shared their surprise wedding story. They had planned an engagement party/ cookout, but upon looking at how much a wedding would cost, decided to turn their engagement party-- a barbecue at a relative’s home-- into a surprise wedding. The bride and groom had to be very selective about the people they let in on the secret. The bride had her brother officiate. There was already plenty of food and all of their family and friends were present. They even had a photographer there to capture the event. After the vows were exchanged, the bride and groom changed into swimsuits and jumped into the pool hand-in-hand, signifying the big plunge they were taking together.
Quick and Easy
One bride tells of her no-frills, spur-of-the-moment wedding in a dress she ordered online for less than $200. She and her husband were married in the beautiful backyard of their officiant and then the wedding couple and their families retired to the bride’s home for a laid-back family dinner. The bride and groom had their wedding rings specially crafted by an artisan on Etsy. All-in-all, not bad for a wedding that cost less than $1000.
Small and Simple
A Kansas City couple spent only $600 on their wedding. The bride spent $13 at a thrift store for her dress. The groom spent $98 on his tux-- including alterations. They invited people directly via Facebook. Their church allowed them to use the chapel for free and the 25 guests paid for their own meals at a nearby restaurant after the ceremony. They spent $100 on snacks and punch for the reception immediately following the ceremony before going out to dinner. $60 went to the sister who baked their cake and just covered materials. A friend photographed the wedding for free in exchange for being able to use the photos in her portfolio and website. $55 for the license. Another $200 on odds and ends such as gas, dinner at the restaurant and the bride’s makeup.