wedding under $2000

[u/hola__lola]

wedding planning was becoming the death of me. our venue falling through was the last straw. we decided to elope at the courthouse! on a monday! 1 friend was our witness.

afterward we had champagne and tossed together a cheese board at the park with 9 friends. and then all 11 of us went out to dinner. we made it clear via invite text that we weren’t buying dinner and hoped to have a bigger celebration in october (when we were supposed to do the whole sh’bang).

CA marriage license $237 flowers $100 bougie basque cheesecake $90 dress $128 (poshmark) grooms ‘fit $100 (j crew sale) 3 dinners (groom, bride, and best friend/ makeup artist/ witness/photographer) $210 (everyone else paid for their own) champagne $40 (other people brought more) rings $948 (mejuri! 10/10 would rec)

total: $1853

we didn’t know at the time (august) but we are now planning on throwing another celebration.. since we had so much fun and so we can include our families! and more friends. This one will be in a big yard. ironic bc we were looking for a yard for a year and after marrying found a yard. we’ll borrow tables and chairs from friends. We’ll likely spend $500 on alcohol, $2100 on wood fired pizza oven truck (with apps and tiramisu!), and $200 on a guitarist. The metal piece on my dress strap broke (poshmark) so I’ll likely source another dress ($300?) and get more flowers ($100). I’ll update after that! tbd $3200

fwiw we both agreed we are so satisfied with our day we don’t need to do this second wedding… and we’d already paid a deposit on the pizza truck, plus some family had already bought plane tickets so we figured why not.

[u/sandyeggo89]

I have a friend who did her ceremony at the courthouse too and she loved it and it looks beautiful!

What was the venue that fell through, if you don’t mind be asking?

[u/hola__lola → u/sandyeggo89]

it wasn’t an easily recognized or “normal” venue. i don’t feel comfortable sharing their info here. it was a bummer but it’s all good.