Weddings and Receptions

how much is your budget?
i know when i got married we had the reception room for $350 for the day

I think that Cake and Punch and music would be a great way to celebrate a Union of two people .... after all the day is for the Bride and Groom (not for me to get a free dinner).

Dont worry about what other people expect or what society deems is the norm .... make it all about you and your new husband. Dance the night away with some punch and cupcakes!

I would be honored to attend a reception this simple and fun.

i think it's lovely. :flowerforyou: and i'm sorry about your parents. my dad passed away two and a half months before our wedding - total bummer.

Tasteful, very tasteful. In fact, I find these overblown weddings and receptions to be so tacky. Don't feel pressured into doing something you don't want or can't afford. Have the wedding you guys want. It's a celebration of your marriage after all and it should be the way you want. A simple one actually sounds perfect to me!

I dn't think that's tacky at all!!! Do whatever makes you feel special on that day. =]

I think it is wonderful! It is about celebrating your wonderful new life together as man and wife. It is not about the food or anything else! I think that to many people feel that every party has to have big meals and unhealthy food all the time. Have a party (it is what you make it no matter how big or how small) and enjoy yourself!

have a backyard wedding or something so u dont have to worry about the reception fee, also sams club we got cupcakes for our wedding and they were 30 bucks for 150 cupcakes or something like thatt, and then we got 2 cakes for us one for our 1 yr and then the other for cutting those were 50 at the bakery near me so it wasnt to bad. u can get a dress at davids bridal for 99 dollar sale or you can check out salvation armys i know that sounds weird but ive seen some really nice dresses for weddings there, same as appitizers u can get them in bulk too would be the cheapest and decorations u can get at the dollar trees and oriental tradings is good too we got ours from both places

A cake and punch reception is perfectly respectable and perfectly lovely. My only advice would be to jJust make sure, on your invitations (or reception cards) to include, "Cake and punch reception Immediately following" or "Please join us at [address] for a cake and punch reception at [time]" or something like that so folks are not expecting lunch. 2pm is not always a dead give-away. Folks can be a little dense at times, God bless 'em.

May your union be blessed forever! Best of luck and happiness to you both.

The original tradition of the Bride's parents picking up the bill for the wedding, was different 40 years ago. It was along the lines of a dowry to the groom, because the woman was traditionally a burden that was being assumed from the family of the bride by the groom. (No Haters, please..Not agreeing, just reporting)

Nowadays, I don't see an issue with the couple getting married taking on more financial responsibiliy for their own lives. Live within your means and throw a reception accordingly.

I think it is tasteful. The thing with wedding is almost anything goes. I think a small intimate wedding is better. The only reason I said almost, is you don't want to charge people to come to your wedding. I have heard of that happening.

Best wishes and congratulations.

What the wedding consists of will be (or if not yet done, SHOULD BE) clearly stated on the invitation i.e. cocktail reception to followig, cash bar.... whatever so people can reduce their gift accordinly if they see fit.

My reception was $200 per person and most people did NOT give anywhere close to $400 per couple or they RSVP'D + 1 and showed up dateless which still costs money so people should give as they see fit. We never expected to make money on our wedding it was about having your friends and family celebrate you, it's a bragging day about your love no matter what you spend.

A wedding is about enjoying the ceremony and celebrating the love...not about who can buy the most. I have gone to $50,000 weddings and have enjoyed myself as much as the pot-luck wedding (yes, I actually had a friend who did their wedding dinner pot-luck) and it was a blast. There is too much focus on the money aspect now of weddings.

I think whatever makes you happy! Weddings get so hyped up, so expensive and so stressful. It's easy to get lost up and that and forget you're preparing a MARRIAGE, not just a wedding.

Do what you can!

Keep everything low key from invites to dress so no one shows up dressed for a black tie evening wedding and feels awkward.

Ultilize friends and family! Check DIY wedding sites to see how many options there are! Maybe you know someone who has an amazing piece of land and you could just set up tents?

In any event, congrats and good luck!

I've done several wedding cakes for exactly this style of wedding. One had bowls of nuts and mints placed around to compliment the cake and punch but others didn't. Especially since you plan to keep it at a time that isn't "meal" time it's completely tasteful. The people who will be there are there to celebrate your marriage anyway. Do what you need to do and don't feel guilty about not having what you can't afford.

ETA: Check out craigslist for used wedding items. There is always someone on there who just got married and is selling off the un-needed decorations. Be savvy and remember it's craigslist but you can often find a good deal for less.