To think cheap weddings are the best!

[Kendodd]

So many threads about spending a fortune on a wedding, we can't afford to get married, moaning about amount spent to attend wedding. You don't need to!

One of the best weddings I have ever been to was at the local registry office then we all got the bus to the pub/restaurant (we would have got taxis but then the bus came along). The bride and groom didn't have any money but really wanted to get married so asked for 'no presents, but please pay for your own meal'. It was great and completely stress free for everybody.

The worst wedding food I had was at a very posh and expensive venue

Wedding can bring out the worst in folk,all the tantrum and profligate spending
Frankly I think if you care about seating plans,fonts on cards and guest list you shouldn't be allowed to be married to until you get a grip

Lol sm

I am in total agreement with all the previous posts about the worst weddings. The worst one I went to was completely 'wedding by numbers' straight out of the crappy American romcoms, it was soulless (and I'm sure cost a fortune, v posh).

I've been to some middle ground ones and some budget ones, and when the bride & groom are flushed, happy and smiling, not stressing and organising (and being organised), and the day is inclusive and flows well, then the wedding has usually been brilliant. (Some cock ups along the way are endearing, too!).

Rather than the cost, I worry more about a couple who expend an emormous amount of emotional energy on a wedding and forget to spend the same amount of care, effort and time on their marriage.

bacon, I just went to a wedding recently with a hog roast, in a converted barn building in the middle of nowhere - it was brilliant.

I went to a posh one,think harps,canapés,besuited staff
They split up in under a year
The ink on the visa bill was still wet

Did the bride have dress changes too sm? That's one of the things that grips me. No need!

Dress changes aye.cherubic page girls and boys,guests from overseas
V blingy

My worst two weddings were very cheap ones. Drove over a hundred miles for a registry office then a restaurant meals that were over by 3.30 p.m. No evening do at all.

From mn I learnt how entitled some guests are,esp those who expect a free bar and do

Nobody expects a free bar. That argumentwas lost ages ago. They are here to stay. The problem is when the bar is so very expensive. These specially designed for wedding venues are taking the piss half the time. Really ordinary wine at very high prices, dreadful food. And I know that sometimes the bride and groom have paid masses for it.

Having a tight budget can push you to be more creative and personal. Many of my favourites have been lower budgets for that reason. Some of the least distinctive weddings I've been to have obviously had a lot of money thrown at them and looked very slick, but could have been anyone's. It's not a hard and fast rule, the most recent one I went to was obviously not cheap, but had a lovely atmosphere, and the staff at the venue were great.

Alas,no I've read numerous mn threads. Folk expecting free bar etc,at any sort of do
I recall a birthday one,were guest was outraged at being asked to Pay for meal eaten
They thought as a participant at restaurant birthday meal this literally=free lunch

Most weddings I've been to you pay for drinks other than wine provided for the tabe.

A cheap wedding can be as good as an expensive one. I like relaxed weddings where it's not a disaster if everything doesn't go to precision planning. Went to a great wedding in a registry office, five guests, back to a hotel for pizza and champagne in the room, then a dip in the jacuzzi, off to a club for a meal and boogie. It was a great day.

Best weddings are where the couple are obviously in love and where they have put their own spin on things, done what is right for them. Be that expensive or cheap. Worst are paint by numbers weddings, expensive or cheap.

YABU, the best wedding is often your own or close family/friends regardless of price because they're so special to you.

"Expensive weddings are often expensive for the guests as well

Untrue, that's a big generalisation, in fact the really expensive weddings I've been to have had free bars because the B&G could afford to treat.

You pay as much as you want/need. And can recoup clothing spending by ebaying after.

The last wedding i went to the B&G spent close to 30k. My shoes were old ones, my bag a primark £2 and the accessories just £1, my dress was from a charity shop and was only £7. It was local so less than £10 in cabs and it was a free bar.

The first wedding i went to was cheaper-registry and party after. I had no appropriate clothes, brought a £50 dress and shoes to go with. I also had to pay for overnight stay as well. I sold my dress after and drunk little at the evening part to save money.

I had a cheapish wedding, purely by virtue of the fact that we both have small families! 35 guests, took over lovely restaurant that was byo so we bought heaps of lovely wine/ champers from supermarket on special offer. .... Registry office first.

I don't understand all the matching and favours stuff, that's probably just me. I can also never get my head round the amount people spend on cakes etc..... making and icing a fruitcake is hardly rocket science!

op yanbu at smaller weddings the bride and groom knows everyone well can relax and enjoy the day.

Our wedding was certainly cheap when compared to many I've been to, but what made that lovely for me was that so many people offered their help to make the days happen - my sister made table decorations, my best friend made my dress, MIL did the flowers, another friend provided the car, my step-dad's jazz band played for the dancing, another friend did the catering. When so many people have been involved in making a special day happen for you, it's lovely.
Similarly, I've been to lots of weddings over the years, and the best ones have been where it feels personal - where the wedding closely matches the people getting married rather than applying a wedding formula. That can be low-cost or high-cost for sure.