Tips for a cheap wedding.

[honeytea]

Me and DP are planning to get married next summer, we have a very limited budget and not enough time to save (it is important to me that my Grandpa can come to the wedding and he has an illness which means it is likely he won't be able to travel in 3 or 4 years time the time it would take to save up enough)

We live in Sweden but I am English so my family will be traveling and staying in a hotel/rented houses.

I am thinking of asking guests to bring a dish with them instead of a present, I won't be asking the UK guests to do this, their travel/hotel costs will be high anyway, we will make it clear people don't have to bring something but it would be lovely if they feel they can.

We have found a location, it is a large old barn converted into a party location, it seats 200 people and has tables/chairs/plates for 200 people.

Any tips on a good place to buy very cheap (a couple of 100 pounds at the very most) wedding dresses?

Any good cheap bridesmaid tips?

Is it ok to have a play list lots of ABBA as we are in Sweden ;)

Tell me about the cheap weddings you have been to/held.

:)

Thank you!

[LadyHarrietdeSpook]

DOH- I've just seen your in Sweden...the Swedish equivalent of Greggs.

I still think it's a hassel for people though, I wouldn't do it unless there is some cultural precedence for it.

[honeytea]

Fab tips!

I love the idea of cup cakes, I will start to look for some decoration ideas :)

I think some sausage rolls from greggs would be nice! It is only 1 mean on 1 day so the way I see it is that is doesn't really matter if the food is a bit random. I will make it clear that anyone who doesn't feel able to bring some food should not feel bad.

In Sweden they specify what the guests are expected to wear, the lowest option is suit jacket and the women to wear a dress in a fine material (silk?) I will ask if we can make our own option of smart casual.

:)

[DiskFix]

We married abroad, in the country where my family lives. My DH had several elderly relatives who were unable to travel and some younger members who couldn't afford travelling. So we had two parties. In the UK we had a party in a nice pub overlooking a wonderful beach and bay. DH's relatives where very grateful that they could come and celebrate with us.
Abroad we had the wedding ceremony. Only his mum, brother and closest friends came from the UK. We kept all very simple.
My mum made my dress and my sister printed the menus and made table decorations.