Congratulations! No experience with weddings in THIS century! :lol:

Congratulations!!

Now give her a bunch of money to elope and say a prayer of thanks... :roll: :roll:

Congratulations (soon-to-be MIL). Sorry - no advice just good wishes.

I would agree with the set a budget advice. My entire wedding cost 3000. You can have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank. Too many people today think they need some elaborate overpriced production. We saved money in the following ways: I made my own dress (just as nice as my cousin's which cost 1200 for a fraction of the cost), got flowers from a florist who was just starting into business, reception at the Elks Hall because neighbors were members.

We were engaged for two months--(no, I was pregnant. :wink: ) We picked the date and the church before we told our parents. We bought the flowers ourselves. Mostly used the poinsettias on the alter for Christmas. We gave my MIL control over the cake and my mom control over most the reception food. We invited 50 people--had the reception at my parent's house--we made all the food--just sandwiches and stuff... and off to Niagara Falls for two nights. Simple--no billis--no frills. Married 25 years this December.... so simple works. :wink:

There's a historical "Little Church" right down the road form us--and I'm hoping both kids will get married in there. They can come here for a reception if it's not many people and in the summer...

When looking for a wedding dress, don't forget ebay. When I remarried in 2004, we wanted to be married in Church but nothing elaborate. I found a full length off-white new dress for $60 (which included shipping) which fit like it was just made for me. (The lady who sold it to me said that if the dress didn't fit, I could send it back with it only costing me postage to return.)

I made our invitations on the computer. We rented the gun club's party room ($50), had keg beer, soft drinks and byob and about 100 people showed up. A friend did our cake for $100. Another friend catered the sandwiches/snacks for $125. The DJ cost $125 (brother of another friend.) One of the guys I worked with took pictures (which he did as a 2nd job) -- I can't remember for sure but I'm thinking $200 which included an album and then he gave me all the proofs for nothing. A friend did my hair, nails and makeup as my wedding gift (She also sang before the wedding.) I went to a "party" store and bought plastic everything for the tables at the reception including disposable cameras (now some of those were fun pictures). A friend of my daughter's made my bouquet for what it cost her.

And the most expensive thing? My husband had to have a new suit, shirt, tie, socks and shoes -- set him back over $500 :shock: (And now he can't get the suit on -- we would have been better off renting him a tux!) But the wedding was very beautiful and the reception was fun and we still had money left to go to Gatlinburg, TN for a week!

Haven't planned a wedding for the DDs (yet). But congratulations to her.

Our daughter also got engaged this year.Her wedding is scheduled for Oct 2010.They are having about 180 people and they have set a budget of 15.000 no more she bought her wedding dress already got it on sale for 600 reg 1500.She is getting married in the same church her dad and I did and having her reception at the same place.

I haven't married yet, but a sister has and she was given a budget. She and now hubby were in school so everyone was poor and since that area seems to have a lot of marriages (no, not Nevada!), they had a place where she could rent a GORGEOUS gown and have it fitted too. Don't know how much that was, but I believe it was less expensive than buying all the stuff...

They did not have a sit down meal. Just a reception and favors. When they came out here it was the same. There was some place that rented plants and a nice lattice arch. It was really pretty.

Congrats! I'm still waiting for my son to get married. BUT he needs to get back to work first.