We’re Sourt Of Eloping, Can We Still Have A Small Party To Celebrate?
My fiance and I have been talking about getting married in April of 2010 for about a year now. We’ve been planning, budgeting… and we were ready to go to the bank to take out a loan on Friday (this comming friday).. when suddenly I realized “we just cant do this”…
We’re 22 years old. We just bought a condo in October. And weddings are horrifically expensive. Even cutting out flowers, photographer, half of my family/friends from the guest list, and finding a really reasonable reception site…. its still just WAY too much!! Money that my fiance and I do not have and I dont want to spend the next 5 years paying off a loan in this economy. We need to save our money and have some security for ourselves.
We decided that instead of going to the loan on friday, we’re going to go to town hall and apply for our marriage licence 
Which, I think is kind of romantic in a silly sourt of way.
Would it be wrong or tacky for us to have a party at the end of the summer to celebrate? Nothing formal. They have a pavillion at a near-by beach that can be rented out for under 2,000 – including tables and chairs… My family always throws big parties and we all kind of know what who is cooking (mom does the salads, grandma does the pasta/meatballs…) we’d do like a really informal buffet style celebration??
Perfectly fine to celebrate the way you want and at a later date.
Congrats!
Oh and I agree with weddings being “horrifically expensive” 100%.
Not at all. You could have a ceremony and party for your friends and family to participate any time after you get married.
One of my friends eloped and a year later on her first anniversary, had a small, informal wedding to the tune of around your price range.
I think you should go for it! There’s nothing wrong with that and I totally understand what you are saying about saving money and having security!
The parties are normally done in a few month after eloping or it becomes and anniversary party.
I am also confused unless you need to get married NOW- just have a small wedding at the beach house? It will cost the same- and you can get a dress for $99.00 at david’s bridal. Skip the flower bridesmaids and all the bullshit and just have a causal wedding.
I think it’s a great idea! This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do and no I don’t think that it’s tacky. It’s responsible but still intimate. You’d be less stressed because there aren’t so many details to work out PLUS you’ll be saving a LOT of money! Congrats and good luck on your marriage!
If you can afford to have this after the event party why not just have that as your wedding. Move the date back or the party up but why take the time and money to do two?
why not do that go to a beach ec and do the get together also why not do a renewal of vows where u can have a nice summer dress on and get married on the beach?
Yes, you can still have a small party after wards. If you plan on having a party next year do it on your anniversary.
Eloping couples often have gathering for family and friends some time after their elopement. It gives everyone a chance to be part of the celebration.
I think it’s fine as long as you do it within a month or two of getting married. A year later doesn’t really make any sense.
Make it a first anniversary party & it will be perfect….good luck.
Once you get married,everything should happen on that same day.Sorry hun.
yes
You are slightly confusing me. You could have a small wedding ceremony with family and friends there for less than $1,500. There are websites that offer dresses for $100 or less, and your hubby to be could rent a tux for $75. If you have the ceremony on the beach, you don’t have to worry about renting a space. You could rent lawn chairs for your guests to sit on, and check around there are places that will rent chairs for under $300. The beauty of your surroundings will nullify any need for flower arrangements. You could create a website instead of ordering invitations, and postage. Total cost of the wedding so far is under $500. Then you could have a BBQ reception a local park. Depending on the park, you many not have to make a reservation. Some parks offer covered shelters that can be rented for $100-200. Keep in mind, the reception is meant to be a celebration of the wedding, not about the place or cost of it. Maybe not the storybook wedding that you might have been planning, but within your budge.
If you do get married at the courthouse; you can have a party afterwards. However, I would not have the party at a place that costs you so much to rent. Especially if you are telling your family that you eloping to safe money.
Hi. You are SO SMART!!!
Yes, do NOT take out a loan for a wedding…..a very big mistake.
What you have planned sounds great. However, I would just go with the one party at the end of the summer to celebrate. I don’t know about an additional party next summer, unless you just wanted that to be a party. I don’t think it should be another type of “reception.” That confuses people. Just save that money and go on a great trip!
Suggestion: Instead of just going to get married at the courthouse, why not combine it with your end of summer party and have the wedding/reception at the park? Really, the ceremony portion of a wedding is NOT what costs….as you know….it’s the reception.
Suggestions:
~ Get a white sundress for yourself; have your groom in black pants (jeans?) and a white shirt.
~ Each of you have 1 attendant ONLY.
~ Get a judge or minister to come to your location.
~ THEN….have the reception as you stated above with your family helping to cook the meal.
This can all be done very inexpensively.
To me? This sounds perfect! You are very sensible to NOT take out a loan to pay for your wedding, because you shouldn’t start your married life in that type of debt. Pay for the wedding you can afford
I don’t understand why you want 2 parties though, why have one this year and one next? Just not sure what you need the second one for! But yeah, a wedding is about the man and woman getting married and celebrating it with your families. The party at the end of summer sounds spot on!! Good luck 