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Can I Have Micro Wedding for $5000?

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I have a Pinterest page dedicated to my dream wedding, and I always assumed it would be small. It would be more cozy and economical, so it was a win-win. I even considered having a courthouse wedding. Then I caught wind of the micro wedding trend, and I realized I’d been planning one all along.

A micro wedding is just as the name implies. It is a smaller version of a regular wedding. It’s been compared to eloping, but it isn’t a secret and guests are invited. The number of guests and decor are all scaled down, saving time and money. The average wedding costs around $30,000, and I refuse to pay that much.

I have a huge family, so limiting attendance will save me a ton of money. One hundred person guest lists are the norm, but I can’t afford that. I once considered a destination wedding to limit my guest list for me. However, the travel costs would make it less affordable for everyone involved. My micro dream wedding has my immediate family and my five closest friends.

To include everyone else, I like the idea of streaming the wedding online. That can fetch about $2,500. Alternatively, feeding each guest can cost between $30 and $100. I can have a guest list of 100 with just my relatives, not to mention the groom’s side. My estimated cost just for food ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 for my guests alone. The savings are apparent, and everyone will get to see the ceremony.

To make sure everyone can participate in some of the fun, I want to have a potluck party versus a reception. The venue can cost almost half of the average wedding costs. If I go to the Justice of the Peace or borrow someone’s pretty backyard, I can save over $10,000. I can then use those funds toward a down payment on a house or for several trips, including my honeymoon. By having a potluck, I save on catering costs. I don’t like cake, so I save $350 to $450 there. My mother could probably feed 100 or more people with that budget alone. She did something similar for my sister’s reception.

Another way I plan to save money on my wedding, and my marriage, is avoiding the mined diamond ring. I played around on the Tiffany & Co. website to see what a two-carat engagement ring in my style would be valued. It came out to over $49,000. I went to Brilliant Earth and compared it to a similar ring with engineered stones, and it totaled slightly over $9,000. If I decrease the size or clarity, the ring price decreases even further.

Considering I don’t generally wear rings, I may go for something understated for my engagement ring and band. My husband-to-be can have whichever wedding band is his style and in our budget. If I have my way, the rings, ceremony, and reception will cost less than $5,000, and I will pay cash.

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Wedding Registries That Offer Free Gifts When You Sign Up

Opinion: Don’t Wait To Talk About Finances Until After Marriage

Wedding Registries That Offer Free Gifts When You Sign Up

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Wedding registries that offer free gifts

Somewhere around 2.3 million couples get married every year. The average wedding budget sits around $20,000. While that is a pretty hefty price tag, many couples receive a large number of gifts through their registries. Approximately $19 billion is spent on wedding registry gifts each year. To make your big day even more special, there are even some wedding registries that offer free gifts.

Wedding Registries That Offer Free Gifts

The period of time you are engaged and planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in life. One of the more fun tasks of getting prepared for the big day is registering for gifts. As more retailers begin to offer registries, they have also begun to find a way to offer up free gifts. Here are some of the freebies you can get for registering with these retailers…

Amazon

Amazon has a number of freebies available to couples who register on the site. Most are bonus gifts that are thrown in when certain purchases are made. For instance, if you buy a piece of cookware, a bonus pan is added to the order.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath & Beyond is a more traditional retailer to register with for your big day. Like Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond offers free bonus gifts. You can view the possibilities in the company’s FreeBook, but they range from small appliances to dinnerware. Also, a completion discount will be added to anything left on your registry after the wedding.

Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s gives couples who register with them a $100 gift card when you spend $500+ on a registry. You’ll also get a 10 percent discount on any items left on your registry for up to six months after the wedding. Just like the previously mentioned retailers, Bloomingdale’s has bonus gifts available too for certain purchases.

Wedding registries that offer free gifts

Bon-Ton

Bon-Ton isn’t always listed among wedding registries that offer free gifts. You’ll need to check with the retailer directly. However, they have been known to offer free gift cards to newly registered couples.

Crate & Barrel

Register with select vendors at Crate & Barrel and receive free bonus gifts. For instance, once your guests have purchased $500 of Caphalon cookware, you will receive a free griddle. These freebies will change from time-to-time so you’ll want to check in-store. Crate & Barrel also offers any couple registered there a percentage off a tux rental, free save the date announcements, and 10 percent off all purchases six months after you get married.

The Container Store

The Container Store can help you stay organized in your newly married life. They’ll give you a free portable file tote for registering there. Additionally, free shipping and gift wrapping are offered on orders over a certain dollar amount.

Dillard’s

Dillard’s has some of the most attractive wedding registry freebies. You will get a free “I thee wed” wedding and home planner. You’ll also get free shower enclosure cards. Like many other registries, Dillard’s offers completion discounts and gifts. After your wedding, when you visit the store, you’ll receive a free gift (like a cookbook).

Certain brands available at Dillard’s also offer bonus gifts when you purchase certain items on your registry. These include Dillard’s china and stemware, and other cooking items. Anyone buying anything from your registry will also receive free gift wrapping.

JCPenney

JCPenney has a number of incentives available for engaged couples who register with them. Many of the freebies are bonus gifts depending on the purchase of another item. For instance, you can get a free Calphalon knife and trivet with the purchase of $400 in Calphalon products. Other freebies include a UDB flash drive, a mixing bowl set, recipes, cookbooks, magazine subscriptions, free liqueur glasses, and even a knife set.

Kohl’s

When you buy any three gifts after signing up for a wedding registry at Kohl’s, get a free bonus gift. Choices include a Calphalon knife and trivet, small heart dish, and a petite saucepan.

Macy’s

Macy’s offers a ton of rewards for people who register with them. Couples get 10 percent off every eligible purchase made during their registry timeline in addition to 5 percent rewards (given in the form of a gift card after the wedding). You’ll also get a free coupon book and brand completion gifts as well, like the retailers above. Macy’s offers a 20 percent discount on any purchases made after the wedding as well.

Sur La Table

When you register for select items, Sur La Table will give you free wedding gifts. Without making a single purchase, you have the chance to get a free cookbook, cut-resistant glove, gift card, or apron.

Wedding registries that offer free gifts

Target

Target gives couples who register with them 15 percent off any gifts you don’t receive from your list. You also have a full year to exchange or return anything. By adding certain brands to your registry, you’ll also get free bonus gifts when items from your list are purchased. These offers change from time-to-time so you’ll want to see what the latest deal is that Target has.

Things Remembered

Things Remembered is a great place to get personalized gifts. When you register for their bridal newsletter you’ll get a free personalized keepsake heart.

Williams-Sonoma

Register for gifts with select vendors at Williams-Sonoma and earn bonus gifts. Some brands gift something small for just adding them to your registry (no purchase necessary).

More Than One Registry is a Good Idea

Registering in more than one place is a good idea, too, especially if you have family traveling in for your wedding. Because the same retailers aren’t located everywhere, it may be easier for them to pick up something at Walmart or have it sent directly to you through Amazon.

Just be sure that if you register at one or more of the places listed above you are able to monitor what has been purchased. If you can, try not to double register for anything – or give people the open to mark it bought from a larger collective list.

Readers, have you heard of other wedding registries that offer free gifts?

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Can You Afford an August Wedding?

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August wedding

The average wedding in the US costs an astonishing $33,391. In some locations, the price tag for getting married can be substantially higher. For example, in Manhattan, the average amount is over $76,000. Whether you can afford an August wedding depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, how much you have in savings, the venue you select, and the number of guests.

If you’ve been planning your August wedding for some time, you may be ready for the costs that come with the occasion. However, if you are recently engaged and want to get married quickly, you may have to make some adjustments to the celebration to make it affordable.

City and Venue For An August Wedding

Where you decide to hold your wedding plays a big role in the total cost. Typically, the venue is the single largest expense a couple handles, averaging about $15,000.

However, you also have a substantial amount of control when it comes to managing location costs. For example, getting married in the courthouse, city clerk’s office, or a family member’s backyard is substantially cheaper.

In New York City, a marriage ceremony in the city clerk’s office is just $25. However, you won’t be able to customize the space or invite a lot of guests to witness the occasion.

Certain nontraditional locations can also be fairly low-cost. For instance, if your city has a beautiful library, local theater, or public park, those might not be overly expensive. A zoo or aquarium can be a fun choice and might be more affordable.

University campuses often have amazing architecture and may have other picturesque features like fountains that could create amazing backdrops. Plus, since the campus typically isn’t as busy during the summer season, you might be able to score a deal on an August wedding and not have to worry about students interrupting the ceremony.

Décor and Flowers

Another substantial expense is the décor and flowers. If you need to bring in tables and chairs or otherwise want to decorate the space, that all comes with a price tag.

You can limit the amount you spend in a few different ways. For instance, if you have a small wedding with only close friends and family members in attendance, you can limit the number of tables and chairs you need.

Similarly, choosing flowers that are in season can cut down on the cost as well as embracing “filler” blooms and foliage that are more affordable. If you decide to get married outdoors, you might even be able to forgo buying additional flowers beyond your bouquet if the nearby landscaping is attractive.

Certain décor items are relatively inexpensive if you shop in the right places. Retailers like Walmart and various dollar stores often have candles, candle holders, and vases at low prices. You can also find affordable decorative glass gems to put in clear jars or on tables in a range of colors, letting you add some shine and sparkle to your décor.

In some cases, the venue may have all of the décor you need. Many hotels provide tables and chairs with their rooms, so the expense is rolled into the price. Parks may have gazebos or halls that have tables and chairs available as well.

Photographers

Most couples want pictures on their wedding day, but many don’t anticipate how much a professional photographer costs. While it may be tempting to forgo the service entirely, especially since smartphones have reasonable cameras, you might run the risk of not having the ideal pictures if you don’t work with someone who truly knows how to capture a wedding.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep this cost down. For example, you can explore only using a professional photographer during the ceremony itself. Then, create a website or email address where guests can send you images from the reception.

Wedding Attire

Full-length bridal gowns, tuxedos, and bridesmaid dresses all come with price tags. It isn’t uncommon for the bride to spend at $1,500 on a dress, though more expensive options are certainly available.

If you want to make your August wedding more affordable, then consider some alternatives to buying all of the attire. Bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos or suits are usually available for rent, which can cost substantially less than buying. Forgoing an extravagant bridal gown for something simpler can also help you save, as additions like beading and lace typically cause a dress to cost more.

Since you are holding an August wedding, you may want to consider a lighter weight dress that is appropriate for the season, especially if your ceremony or reception is outdoors. Temperatures are high during this time of year, so layers of satin, silk, or chiffon may increase the odds that you’ll overheat, and no one wants to be uncomfortable on their wedding day.

Food and Drink

Hors d’oeuvres, dinners, Champagne, and the cake are common wedding-related expenses that you need to consider. If you decide to have the event catered, the cost can come out around $70 per person, which adds up quickly.

If you need to keep the cost down, you do have options. First, forgo an open bar, which can quickly get expensive. You can choose to have a Champagne toast or simply limit the number of drinks, making it easier to control the cost.

Choosing a buffet dinner option over individual entrees may also be less expensive. Similarly, avoiding steak and seafood and offering chicken or pasta dishes instead might bring the price tag down.

You can also adjust the timing of your wedding so that a full meal isn’t expected. For example, a mid-afternoon or late evening event may make just providing hors d’oeuvres sufficient.

Additionally, limiting the number of guests can make controlling this expense even easier no matter what you want to offer. Feeding 30 is substantially less expensive than 100, so keeping your guest list small can make your August wedding more affordable.

Can’t Afford the Wedding You Want?

If you have a dream event in mind and an August wedding this year is simply unaffordable, then you do have a few options. If you need to get married quickly, consider getting married at the courthouse this year and then scheduling a vow renewal on your one-year anniversary with all of the bells and whistles.

In situations where you have more time, you can always choose another month or year to get married. There is no hard-and-fast rule regarding how long an engagement can last, so don’t hesitate to pick a date that works for your pocketbook if the need arises.

Are there other costs couples should consider when planning an August wedding? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Looking for more great wedding articles? Give these a try:

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Costco Wedding Registry: Anyone Can Use It!

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costco wedding registry

Costco has become a one-stop-shop for many of its members. For many, that means everything needed for their wedding too. The retailer has offered a fairly comprehensive wedding shop, including rings, flowers, invites and even honeymoon-booking services. However, it wasn’t until recently that Costco launched its very own wedding registry.

About Costco Wedding Registry

Costco partnered with MyRegistry.com to bring its customers the Costco Wedding Registry. In fact, you can use the gift registration for any special event in your life. This includes baby showers, graduations and any other event you’d like to register for. You can register for any item available at Costco or Costco.com.

Who Can Use Costco Wedding Registry?

Anyone! Although Costco is known as the largest members-only wholesaler in the world, you don’t have to be a member to use the Costco Wedding Registry. The service is completely free for couples (or hosts) and their guests whether they are a Costco member or not.

How to Use Costco Wedding Registry

Shopping at Costco without a Costco membership? That’s pretty exciting! So, how do you go about using the new Costco Wedding Registry?

If you head to the Costco website, you’ll find the “Wedding by Costco” page. Here you will find all of the services offered by the wholesaler for your big day, including engagement rings, men’s rings, invitations, announcements, flowers, photobooks, cake, and food. You’ll also see a section “for the new home” where you can discover items to add to your Costco Wedding Registry.

To sign up for the registry, go to the Costco-MyRegistry sign up page. Here, the site will ask you for your first and last name as well as the type of event you are planning. (Currently, Costco has both wedding and baby-specific registries.) Once you hit “create a registry” you’ll be prompted to create a MyRegistry account by providing your email address. Then you’re ready to start adding things to your Wedding Day Wish List!

You can search the Costco website for specific items to add to your wedding registry or you can go to the separate departments on the site to browse. Then, start clicking away.

Items Available on the Costco Wedding Registry

If you’re a bride and think “Costco Wedding Registry” with a cringe, you’re not alone. It doesn’t sound super fancy, but it can be. Anything Costco has to offer, you can add to your registry. This includes $500 blenders, massage chairs, and pretty much anything else your heart could desire. Some of the site’s top pick’s for wedding registries include things like home decor, kitchenware, and furniture.

If you’re not into giving or receiving gifts and would prefer cash, Costco has you covered as well! You can go through Costco Wedding Registry and send anywhere from $1 to $1,000 via PayPal to the bride and groom (or hosts). There are also a large variety of gift cards available for purchase through the Costco website.

It should be noted that not all items at Costco.com can be added to your registry if you’re not a member. The site will notify you that the item you are viewing is only available for members only and will not allow you to add it to your registry. However, if you know ways around it, you can shop at Costco without a membership fairly easily.

With the retail world slowly diminishing in front of your eyes, Costco has managed to stay profitable. Costco Wedding Registry is just another way for the company to expand its business further and it looks like they will succeed. Many people are using the services already!

Getting married? Will you use Costco’s Wedding Registry?

Photo: Salavtore’s Chicago

8 Ways to Save Money on Wedding Catering

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Are you overwhelmed and horrified by the prices you’ve been quoted to provide food and drinks for your wedding guests? It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some options to keep food and drink costs within your wedding budget.

Choose a wedding venue that lets you choose the caterer: Many wedding reception sites only allow you to choose from their preferred caterers, who may all be pricey (and who know they have limited competition). Before committing to a location, make sure you find out what they allow for catering and that their options fit your budget.

Hire a full-service caterer who will help you with more than just the food: Some caterers really go above and beyond, acting as wedding planners that will help you find the best prices on florists, a DJ, and rentals. They may also act as wedding coordinators to help make sure everything runs smoothly the day of. You shouldn’t expect a catering company to do this, but if you can find one that does, their expertise and extra work can save you time and money and help you put on a better event than you might have been able to otherwise.

Work with a company that includes or discounts rental items: When people serve catered meals, they will either need to rent plates, silverware, glasses, tablecloths, and so on or purchase disposable ones. Deep discount caterers will actually include most or all of these things in their prices, and many other caterers will offer you a deal as part of a catering package or be able to get you a deal if you work with their preferred rental company. For the price of nice disposableware, you may be able to borrow the real stuff, which will make your event seem a lot nicer.

Avoid popular days and times: Give a caterer a chance to work when they might not normally get any business and they might be more willing to give you a discount off their regular rates. At least choose a time when you won’t be competing with the Saturday-evening wedding crowd.

Avoid holidays when caterers are in high demand, like the winter holiday season: Caterers will be able to pick and choose their jobs then, and they will be less inclined to work with an individual on a budget when they could be working a corporate holiday party. Choose a wedding date when caterers aren’t likely to have other jobs.

Consider a less-experienced caterer: Companies looking to make a name for themselves have to do something to convince you to take a chance on them-and that something is often a lower price. The going rate for catering in your area might be $30 to $50 a head, but a newbie might only be charging $16 to $20 a head. Minimize your risk by interviewing the company thoroughly, asking for references, researching them online, and doing a tasting before putting down a deposit.

Get a detailed proposal that lists and breaks down all costs and all of the caterer’s responsibilities: Make sure the proposal is complete and that it specifies the amounts of any required taxes and service fees. Make sure that the prices are fixed and can’t be raised on you after you’ve agreed and paid your deposit. Also, be aware that some caterers will expect you to tip the servers “at your discretion” in addition to paying a 15% service fee.

Hire a company that lets you keep the leftovers: Some caterers will not give clients the leftovers under any circumstances because of concerns about food spoilage. But others will give you any leftovers if your wedding venue has a fridge where the leftover food can be stored at the proper temperature until you can take it home. There’s no guarantee that there will actually be leftovers, of course, but if there are, you can put them in your freezer, go on your honeymoon, and eat for free when you get home.

Remember — you’re the customer, and you’re probably going to be spending thousands of dollars. You want to choose a catering company who is excited to earn your business and willing to do things the way you want. You may have to look harder, but you can find a caterer you can afford.

Are Weddings A Huge Waste of Money?

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Last week, a fellow I know was lamenting to me the cost of his daughters’ weddings. He has three girls. Both he and his wife are very loving parents so I found it really quite odd that he was worrying about wedding plans. He even went so far as to express the hope that at least one of his daughters would be gay because that will “cut out 1/3 of my wedding costs.” (I politely refrained from reminding him that if his daughters wanted an expensive wedding, their sexuality would not necessarily be an impediment.)

His eldest daughter is only seven years old.

I can understand why parents might be concerned about wedding costs. The last wedding I attended was in 1993. The bride’s parents paid over $50,000 for the wedding which was attended by about 300 people, many of whom never even had a chance to speak with the wedding couple. In 1993, $50,000 would have purchased a home in many parts of America and it would have been a substantial down payment in those parts of the country where it would not have bought a house. More to the point, that money would have paid off all of the bride’s debt from law school. I shudder to think of what wedding reception costs must be like today.

My wife and I also married in the early 1990’s. We were a bit more pragmatic in our wedding plans, however. We eloped. We hired a justice of the peace, who performed a very nice ceremony, and he married us in the presence of two couples we knew from our office. We then went out for a nice dinner – just the six of us. We had a great night and then my wife and I went to a bed and breakfast to enjoy our first week of marital bliss. I will never forget a moment of that night. My wife was, as always, beautiful and I was, as I am today, the most fortunate man on this planet. She was the only person that I needed at my wedding and, I like to think, I was the only person she needed there.

Now that spring is here, several neighbors have announced the engagement of their sons and daughters. The weddings will take place next spring and both the betrothed young people and their respective mothers have started the endless hours of wedding planning. Meanwhile, more than a few fathers have started to worry about the wedding costs. Why is all that necessary?

Does it truly make sense for young people to embark on marriage with an expensive party that will add to the stress of their young relationship? Couldn’t that money be better spent by helping the young couple to get a start on their new life together, rather than using it to give them an expensive party to send them on their way? I think so.

I mentioned this to the fellow who was concerned about the costs of his seven year old daughter’s eventual wedding plans, and he rather liked the idea. Of course, he also admitted that he did not think that his wife or daughters would necessarily agree with him.

What do you think? Are huge weddings a waste of money or are they a necessary event that young couples should enjoy as the one great celebration that is truly about them? How can such celebrations be handled in a cost effective way? If you are planning a wedding now, how are you controlling costs or are costs not a focal point of your planning?