to get married and put it all on a credit card?

[washnomore]

MIL isn't well, and she isn't going to get better :(. DP and I have independently thought about getting married since we heard the news. But we're skint and any spare cash will have to go towards travelling up and down to see her and before long we will be replacing our ancient car.

AIBU to think that we can manage a small family wedding and a little evening party for under £1000 and still make it special and happy? And AIBU to think that in this instance it's justifiable debt?

I love a relaxed, informal wedding.

How about reg office then party at home?

Good idea Norma. I need to talk more with DP but I will update and let you all know what happens. And thank you all. :)

Come back and let us know

I still have my wedding dress you are more than welcome to it PM me if your interested. I think it's a lovely idea and people will want to help out I'm sure.

As long as it's a debt that you CAN pay off eventually, I think it's totally justifiable. If you are thinking of getting married anyway and it would make her happy - I think it is a truly lovely idea.

Try a visit to a local fabric shop and ask for a recommendation for a seamstress - you could probably get something knocked up very reasonably. No need for white or a wedding style - just a beautiful suit or dress in a gorgeous colour that suits you and fits you perfectly.

How exciting!

Don't like the idea of asking for cash, but you can do this for under £1000! Interest rates will need to rise. Don't take on debt.

I think a small, simple family wedding is a lovely idea. Can't understand why anyone would get in to debt over it though. An outfit you like - doesn't have to be pricey - and a meal in a restaurant for a select few or a buffet at home with everyone bringing something. Job done.

Yes, I think in this instance it would be 'the thought that counts' so perhaps you could it done for far less than £1000. Be aware, though, that if you get married in a register office it WILL cost around £100 at least-there's no getting around this cost. I'm not sure that churches charge for a wedding.

Churches do charge for weddings and it's a couple of hundred quid, I think.

When enquiring about the registrar, make a point of asking about the cheapest option as apparently there are two types of registrar and one costs more than the other.

Good luck and I hope you have a fabulous day.

Oh, if you want photos that are more than snapshots, approach your local college's photography course tutor and see if a student would like to take photos for experience.

Many churches will waive or lower fees for people who have financial difficulties.

I have been in this situation myself and we decided not to get married because of my Dads terminal illness.
Reasons included cash, not needing any extra stress on top of caring for my dad while holding down my job, to the worry that we would organize it only for my Dad to die before the big day.

In the end it came down to us deciding that we wanted to start married life in our own time, the way that we wanted, we wanted to enjoy it. In the end we got married two years after my dad died, it was bitter sweet and of course we missed him on the day, but I was in a much better frame of mind to enjoy it.
I would do what's right for you, and that might well be getting married sooner rather than latter, but please take a little time to think it through as I'm sure emotions are running high and it's easy to get caught up in a whirl wind of emotions.

If you have to put something on a credit card, then see if you can find one with no interest on purchases for a set period of time (on BBC R4 Moneybox they mentioned this for people wanting tickets for the Olympic games, as Visa is only type you can use, using a debit card would need lots of cash up front in bank account, but a credit card would allow spreading the cost).

Some have no interest to pay on purchases for 6 or 12 months but obviously you'd need to pay it off before they hit you for high interest, but would give a breather.

Sorry to hear of MiL situation, but hope you have a great day and MiL enjoys as much as you and yours...

just checked the transcript on BBC site for 19.03.2011 broadcast and MoneyFacts recommended the following : "'AA Visa Credit Card', the Saga 'Over-50s Platinum Visa', and the Barclaycard 'Platinum With Purchase Visa Card'. They all have this 0% deal."

NB there may be MasterCard offers but for the Olympics only Visa was usable and that limited the suggestions to Visa cards.

depends on your financial position. If you can pay it off reasonably comfortably over a comfortable timescale then you should do it. Personally I think a grand's worth of debt if you can afford it is not the end of the world and possibly worth it if it allows you to do something very important. But not everyone sees it like that.