r/Weddingsunder10k

Hi everyone, we’re hoping to get some outside perspective because we’re feeling pretty stuck right now.

We’ve been planning to get married on August 18th this year. It’s also my birthday, so it’s a big deal to us and we’ve been really set on making that date work. But when we loooked at our actual savings today and the numbers are honestly a lot worse than we thought.

Our total budget is $35,000 (our budget plan and saving plan) but we only have $10,500 saved so far. That’s only 30% of the way there, and with less than 4 months left, the math is starting to look impossible. We’ve been so busy with the "fun" parts of planning that we didn't keep a close enough eye on the actual numbers until now. (our bad)

My fiancé is still convinced we can just hustle and make up that $24,500 gap in time, but I’m terrified of the stress and the risk of going into debt. Saving $6,000 a month just feels like a huge reach.

Are we being totally delusional? Has anyone here actually managed to pull off a save like that this close to the date, or should we just bite the bullet, lose our $2,500 deposit, and move everything to 2027?

still so far away :(( help us :((

I (36F) got engaged about 10 days. I enthusiastically started poking around to understand the process and cost. It was less than 15 minutes before I was overwhelmed and completely ready to elope instead. After about 20 mins of deep breathing, I came back to reality and accepted that a wedding is something I want to share with my friends and family, so I cant do that.

My real question is what am I missing out on if I choose not to do any of these things?

- bridal party to accept the offer

- engagement photos

- engagement party

- bridal shower

- bachelor/bachelorette

- try on wedding dresses with friends/family

Update: Thank you all for the kind comments and most importantly reminder that I get to do this my way! Its so easy to get overwhelmed when the wedding industry is sucking you into all their expectations. I will remind myself to be true to myself and not the expectations of what a wedding plan "should" look like.

My SO and I (31F and 38M)have been putting off getting married for a long time, we have two kids together and my brother is in the Navy and he's my only family member and ive wanted him to give me away. He is visiting in a few weeks and our pastor can marry us at our church.

I just want to do a short ceremony and then we'll go out to eat. Can anyone help me come up with what all is needed?

I'll just buy a cheaper dress and he'll probably rent a tux. His sister will help me with hair makeup and photos.

Wanting to keep is super simple but if there are any fast inexpensive ways of making it nicer, any tips or ideas are appreciated!!!

So my fiancé and I are currently planning our wedding for January of 2027 with about 100 people in attendance. We keep going back and forth on just getting eloped now and still having the big party later…

I love the idea of just tying the knot now, but in the back of my mind I fear I’ll be missing out on the magic of walking down the aisle in a beautiful dress. I just dream of doing the first look in my dress as I’m coming down the aisle. For context I have already purchased a dress and I don’t know if it’s weird to wear it twice, for the elopement and then again at the wedding. Is it also weird to have a big ceremony after the elopement?

We are also Christian and have been abstaining leading up to the wedding. I don’t want to go through the elopement just so we can be intimate again. I understand that we aren’t technically married in the Lords eyes until we share our vows.

Has anyone else done something similar to this and how did you feel at the bigger event? I want to be married but I also want the magical feelings of walking down the aisle to him and saying our vows.

Me & my fiance decided not to have alcohol on our wedding day. We splurge on the food instead. We found a local caterer and they are going to serve 3 proteins (ham, chicken & steak) + 3 side meals w/ our choice of desssert. We will opt for a shorter ceremony (we don’t have a bridal party) followed by lunch reception thereafter. It’s gonna be a very intimate wedding with our closest friends and relatives 30-35 guests. Is this okay? I am thinking we should get a bar but it’s not gonna be cheap. Well my fiance said that most of the guests from his side doesn’t drink.

I want a very natural dewy makeup look. I’m thinking about going to Sephora or Ulta to get my makeup done since I don’t want a full glam look, mostly some blush, a nice lip and maybe some mascara (I’m getting my lashes lift and tinted so I’m not sure if mascara would be necessary). Has anyone ever been to either places to get their makeup done? I have only wore makeup once in my life so I am not familiar in this area at all. Let me know!

I plan to do my own makeup because I hated how it looked when I’ve gotten professional makeup done, and I want a natural look where I still look like myself. however….. I’m kind of still a clueless hippie when it comes to beauty things. I’ve started to watch tutorials and keep seeing Makeup Forever recommended on here.

aside from the obvious watching lots of tutorials and practicing, what are your best tips for doing this and being happy with it? what products do you swear by? and what if I start crying which i DEFINITELY will?!

I've DIYed events in my own home before but I had days to set up, I could store furniture in my garage, and I didn't have to think about it day-of.

So I'm curious 1) how folks are getting their makeup, hair, dresses, etc done while also making sure the diy setup happens, 2) where all that stuff is stored until the wedding and how it's transported, 3) who does the actual setup and cleanup of furniture and items at the end of the day?

Hi! I’m an Orange County, CA -based wedding planner who recently started focusing more on short-form wedding videos, and I’ve honestly fallen in love with capturing these kinds of moments.

I create highlight-style films that are more candid and storytelling-driven. Think emotional moments, little in-between interactions, and the overall feel of the day rather than traditional videography.

I’m currently looking to work with 2 couples this month and offering this completely free as I continue building out my portfolio.

If you’re getting married in Orange County, Los Angeles, or San Diego in April and would be open to this, I’d love to be part of your day 🤍

I’m based in Irvine, so I just ask that parking is covered, and a small travel fee if the wedding is in LA or San Diego.

Happy to share my work as well. Feel free to message me with your date and details!

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]