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 The Famous Hot Wing Chicken Girl
Posts: 2964
   
| Do you regret it?
We are thinking about eloping. SO has been for it since day 1, but I've been a little more hesitant. I would love to have the gorgeous dress and have a wedding.. but at the same time, I can't fathom spending all that money on 1 day. We are in the process of buying a house that needs needs all new floors, countertops and paint in every room. I have 7k left to pay on my truck and 17k in student loans left. For our venue, photographer and rings, we were up to almost 3k spent. That's not dress, food, decorations, etc. We are doing this 95% on our own. My parents are helping where they can and his parents don't care. (Another reason why I want to elope..his family is nuts!)
I'm really torn and my family and friends aren't helping. We can't really have a small wedding because our families are large. I was thinking of eloping in April.. Spending the money to fix our house, then having a "Hey we are hitched/house warming" party in the summer.. However I've been told that's out of line. |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Do what YOU want to do, not what THEY want you to do! I went through the whole wedding thing because that's what everyone else told me I should do...that I would regret not having a "real" wedding. I mainly did it to please everyone else. It's been about a year and a half and I STILL wish I would've eloped. When I think back on all the stress I went through and how much money we spent (my hubby and I paid for the whole thing), I regret not doing it the way I really wanted to. I would've done things much more simple and casual. |
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 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | Go to the court house, bring your parents and immediate family with you.. then have a large reception party aftwards for all the other people. This way, you get a cheap wedding, and all the family and friends get the party they want. You can provide a few finger foods, like chicken or bbq, and tell who wants to come it's BYOD (bring your own drink). |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Nope! Get a fantastic photographer, some awesome clothes to your taste, a venue, a JP, a couple buddies and you're in business. We got married on the 4th of July since we had it off, and the whole trip, clothes and hotels etc was $3500. Worth every penny we did and didn't spend. Booked everything in one afternoon. :)
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Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Also, your decisions about your life are never out of line!!! Especially YOUR WEDDING and YOUR MONEY! I didn't allow our families to come. Nobody came but our two friends. Families had a party for us with a caterer and a band, but it was because they wanted one and split the cost. That was the only gift we got (requested no gifts) and it was worth oodles to see everyone have a good time. Also didn't allow alcohol, didn't want drama or someone wrecking their vehicle after a fun time of ours and cast shadows. |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Dont regret it one bit. Everyone has their priorities and ours was much like yours- to get a home in place, pay debt and have horses:) |
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 pow wow princess
Location: Where ever life takes me, Oklahoma | ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-02-06 9:20 AM Go to the court house, bring your parents and immediate family with you.. then have a large reception party aftwards for all the other people. This way, you get a cheap wedding, and all the family and friends get the party they want. You can provide a few finger foods, like chicken or bbq, and tell who wants to come it's BYOD (bring your own drink).
This is what my hubby and I did, we went to the courthouse with immediate family and friends, then we went to eat at a nice restaurant after, we were gonna have a reception but never got around to it. But no I do not regret the decision that we made. We thought about going on kinda weekend trip things to somewhere and getting married but decided we didn't want to spend a ton of money.
By going to the courthouse we were able to include people that were close to our hearts in our special moment. |
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | Your wedding is about you and your soon to be. Not anyone else.
Elope to Vegas. Wedding and honeymoon all in one.
Any one who wants to be there can pay their own way.
There are lots of wedding venues there, from a modest budget to very lavish. There is even drive thru weddings!
no muss no fuss, easy peazy. |
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Veteran
Posts: 121
| I often regret not eloping! I always wanted to go to Vegas and get married in a drive through wedding chapel, lol! I am a major tight wad, did not see the point in spending all of that money on a wedding. But, my hubby and mother were not going for it. So we had a wedding. But my mom and sisters planned the whole thing. All I had to do was show up!  |
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| My Potential wedding- $10k+ in costs, people upset they didn't get invited to ceremony, family fights, bride-zilla vs. made-of-honor, caterer didn't have enough food, flowers late, future moster-in-law upset you didnt let her decide seating arrangement, hubby's best friend super drunk, singing and dancing on tables...the list of possibilities goes on and on.
Don't regret eloping for an instant. We went to Vegas and were married at the Valley of Fire- got awesome pictures, went to the NFR for our honeymoon. It's was great and headache free. We had some family that was disappointed when we got back but it was short term. We got married exactly how we wanted and it was perfectly simple. Do it for you and don't worry about what anyone else says or thinks whether you elope or have a traditional wedding.
Edited by bscanchaser 2014-02-06 10:14 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 264
| I have 60 days left in my engagement then this planning nightmare will be over! I was all for eloping, actually wanted it quite badly but my soon to be husband wanted the bigger wedding. We are only inviting family (which is quite large) and close friends. Still came out to about 120 people and a ridiculous bill.
The stress and financial debt has made this a miserable experience. I still wish I could have just gone out to a pasture with some friends and family, signed the papers and went home to a pot luck.
Through this experience everyone said the same thing "do what YOU want" well it wasn't what I wanted from the beginning so each decision was jaded anyways.
I'm all for eloping after this hell!!  |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | The type of ceremony you have won't make the marriage last any longer.
We paid for our wedding ourselves, so much of the frills we didn't do. The venue was at my aunt's house, the pastor was my uncle, the flowers were simple, only one bridesmaid and groomsman, simple reception, guests were mainly family. I think we spent (total) what you have already spent. Looking back, Vegas would have been way easier.
I've also had a lot of friends do the Vegas thing and come back and have a reception. People don't go to a wedding to watch the vows. They go for the food, fun, and alcohol afterward. Skip the stress, elope, and just have a party. |
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | Big fancy weddings are a waste of money! Usually it is the very last time a girl can get money from her dad. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I eloped. I have never - EVER heard anyone say they wished they had spent MORE on their wedding. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I eloped to a nice B & B. MY only condition was no courthouse and I wanted THE dress. The B & B did the pics and ceremony with a nice cake for 2 with sparkling cider. It was only 750 for the room for 2 nights and the cake, pics and ceremony. They took well over 100 pics and some were great. Best decision we could have made. A nice small wedding was going to cost over 5k. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544
| sounds like your money your choice!!! Don't let anyone put you on a guilt trip |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | We eloped almost 45 years ago and never once have we regretted it. We had everything planned because of his family wanting us to have a big wedding. My mom wanted us to be married in the Catholic Church and during the meeting of the priest who was drunk...I walked out and told my husband the wedding BS was off. We went to Alabama and the man who taught him to ride and who he spent most of his young adulthood with going to hunter/jumper shows, was our witness along with his wife. Our honeymoon was spent in Florida and we were part of the first group that went to Epcot. |
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 Nascar Princess
Posts: 6005
Location: Texas!!! | haha! We went up to the court house, got the marriage license, went downstairs had the JP marry us. ALL on our lunch hour. hahaha. At that time we had been together 3 yrs. Didn't want the hassle, or his kids making a fuss. Just celebrated 21 yrs. :) |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Id do it......in a heartbeat......to a really hott guy.
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..but alas....I'm single ARGGGG. Maybe I'll snag one in vegas this year, he'll wake up and wont remember a thing  |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| We went to the JP. I have never one ounce of regret for not having a big wedding. I do wish we had gone to Vegas or the like and had a picture of us, other then that I am glad we did it our way. My mother threw us a reception a few months later.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I'm in the same boat....the only reason Hubby and I aren't married yet is because of the $$$!! I wouldn't mind eloping and doing a reception later on, but the reception is the expensive part. But, I dunno...I just went to my friend's wedding and it was fun but it just didn't seem as magical as I remember weddings being. Didn't seem worth it. |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | Nope. My husband asked me to marry me 2 weeks before we left for Texas and a week later we were married. He met me at the courthouse after I got off of work with a good friend of ours as our witness and that was that. The next day we did a small ceremony that his uncle officiated with our parents and grandparents and siblings in attendance, had a nice dinner and that was also our send off to Texas. Best decision we ever made. I didn't even want to do that but hubby really wanted to so we did. I have no regrets and I am glad I did it. I told my hubby that when we got married I wanted it to be only about him and I and I didn't need anyone else to be there because it was only about him and I and our promises to each other.
Also, that was my 2nd wedding. The first one we did the traditional crap. I literally hated every. single. minute. of it. May be why it didnt last but I just hate that stuff and that money could have gone to better things. |
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Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | turnedout - 2014-02-06 10:40 AM
I have 60 days left in my engagement then this planning nightmare will be over! I was all for eloping, actually wanted it quite badly but my soon to be husband wanted the bigger wedding. We are only inviting family (which is quite large ) and close friends. Still came out to about 120 people and a ridiculous bill.
The stress and financial debt has made this a miserable experience. I still wish I could have just gone out to a pasture with some friends and family, signed the papers and went home to a pot luck.
Through this experience everyone said the same thing "do what YOU want" well it wasn't what I wanted from the beginning so each decision was jaded anyways.
I'm all for eloping after this hell!!
You sound just like me!! I actually broke down bawling a couple times wanting to call the whole thing off and go to the JP, but we'd already spent so much that I couldn't justify throwing it away. I guess I was lacking the "bride" gene. |
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| ACEINTHEHOLE - 2014-02-06 10:20 AM
Go to the court house, bring your parents and immediate family with you.. then have a large reception party aftwards for all the other people. This way, you get a cheap wedding, and all the family and friends get the party they want. You can provide a few finger foods, like chicken or bbq, and tell who wants to come it's BYOD (bring your own drink).
We also went to the courthouse and then went out to dinner after with our family. I wouldnt have done it any other way. It didnt put a financial burden on us or our family and let us all enjoy the day together. Plus I'm not one to be the center of attention so it was more comfortable for me. |
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Chi Chi Mama
Posts: 11212
Location: Spokompton, Wa | You can still do it for low cost, even with your family involved. I did. I got married in last June. We had a little place called "The Htiching Post" marry us. But we did not do it at the chapel. We got married at the nearby park which happened to have a lake in the background. So, that was free. Standing only for our guests. We rented a couple pillars. I made two vases of flowers I got from Hobby Lobby and the dollar tree to put on them. Also rented some plastic chain to make an aisle. I bought my bouquet at HL as well. Already pre-made. My dress from clearance at Davids Bridal. I did take it to them for alterations but could have had them done for much cheaper.
We had our reception at a nearby "bar. (It didn't turn into a bar until later in the night, so it was all private) They provided a buffet type dinner for our guests. Then that night, entertainment was provided by them because we utilized the band that was already booked. :) We were in less then $2k with EVERYTHING. Dress and all. I'll see if I can attach some pics. Oh and we had a family member take the pictures. :) Good luck to you!
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Location: Saskatchewan | Im not sure if you call it eloping for us because it is somewhat planned lol but a few family members and lots of friends are joining us on a hot holiday to Jamaica in December for week and getting married. No fuss, the resort takes care of it other than some last minute details right when we get there and we all get a gorgeous vacation too. Small fee for the documents per Jamaican gov't, we paid for a weeding package which was quite cheap but we decided no reception when we get back. Stb mother in law wasn't too happy at first but we said no way no how thats the most expensive part. So we are having a big BBQ with everyone the following summer. Talk about no stress right now, everything is done even bought my dress last week out of luck lol. All of us go south anyways in the winter so we thought what the heck!!
Don't let anyone tell you what you want is out of line, it's yours and your stb hubby's day not their's and congrats!!!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | We eloped and don't regret it at all. It's actually a nice story when we tell our friends and many of them say they wish they had gone that route instead of the headache of a bigger wedding.
We found a place in Vegas that picked us up at the hotel, drove us to get the license, then to the chapel and back to the hotel. Honeymoon at the NFR! |
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 Hummer's Hero
Posts: 3071
Location: Smack Dab in the Middle | I don't regret it for a second. We were in Vegas with our best friends for the NFR...got engaged Friday night before we went to the rodeo, got married Sunday evening before our return flight on Monday. We figureed, what the heck, we were in Vegas.
I paid $100 for a dress off the clearance rack at a David's bridal, and we spent about the same on a sports coat for Hubby at a Macy's. I think those, plus the license, plus the chapel, ran around $1200. It was a blast.
We did have a reception a few weeks after we got home, for which we spent as much on booze as we did on everything else, but, it was still WAY cheaper than if we'd have planned out a wedding. |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | I was like you, wanted to have a pretty dress and pretty wedding, but the cost was going to be over 10k for a smaller wedding w/ reception. I went to Vegas...still got a dress and invited a few close friends/family. So much better!! No stress/no mess!! If I could do it over again I would have just went with my husband and I!!! I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on one day when we were also in the middle of a house deal and had other things going on.
No matter what it's your day, have fun! Congrats! |
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 Perky Gal
Location: On a paint horse... | My hubby and I eloped 35 years ago this month. Have never regretted it and we never had a reception or anything. I love your idea, have a combo party this summer! Things have changed so much, you can pretty much do whatever you want to anymore.
We are renewing our vows at a small cowboy church gathering we go to. No dress or anything fancy, just jeans...thats who we are. Oh, and cake!! |
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Perky Gal
Location: On a paint horse... | Scotch - 2014-02-07 11:10 AM You can still do it for low cost, even with your family involved. I did. I got married in last June. We had a little place called "The Htiching Post" marry us. But we did not do it at the chapel. We got married at the nearby park which happened to have a lake in the background. So, that was free. Standing only for our guests. We rented a couple pillars. I made two vases of flowers I got from Hobby Lobby and the dollar tree to put on them. Also rented some plastic chain to make an aisle. I bought my bouquet at HL as well. Already pre-made. My dress from clearance at Davids Bridal. I did take it to them for alterations but could have had them done for much cheaper. We had our reception at a nearby "bar. (It didn't turn into a bar until later in the night, so it was all private) They provided a buffet type dinner for our guests. Then that night, entertainment was provided by them because we utilized the band that was already booked. :) We were in less then $2k with EVERYTHING. Dress and all. I'll see if I can attach some pics. Oh and we had a family member take the pictures. :) Good luck to you!
LOL...we got married at the Hitching Post 35 years ago!! Coeur d 'alene right?? ...and my folks got married there in 1953!! |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I had a traditional wedding. Looking back I wished I would have eloped. Bunch of wasted money. (No, not the marriage itself, we are happily married, but no one cares about the actual wedding and the reception). |
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 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
Location: Prosser, WA | turnedout - 2014-02-06 8:40 AM I have 60 days left in my engagement then this planning nightmare will be over! I was all for eloping, actually wanted it quite badly but my soon to be husband wanted the bigger wedding. We are only inviting family (which is quite large ) and close friends. Still came out to about 120 people and a ridiculous bill. The stress and financial debt has made this a miserable experience. I still wish I could have just gone out to a pasture with some friends and family, signed the papers and went home to a pot luck. Through this experience everyone said the same thing "do what YOU want" well it wasn't what I wanted from the beginning so each decision was jaded anyways. I'm all for eloping after this hell!!
I sure hope your soon to be has helped you out since he is the one who wanted the big wedding.
My husband wanted a big reception, so we just got married in a park near the river. Beautiful backdrop. My mom, her friends and my husband planned most of it. A group of people brought food. My parents provided the meat since they raise cattle and we had some good friends doing the bar-b-queing. My husband has an aunt that made the cake and a cousin that provided the music (he is a really good singer too). Biggest expense was probably the photographer. It was a lot of fun. I'm glad my husband talked me into it because I just wanted to elope. The bridesmaids and I even went in on a wagon. My parents neighbors have percherons and they travel all over with them and wanted to do it at no cost. It was pretty cool.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| I did it and loved it. We figured out that for the same price as feeding all our relatives and friends, we could fly to Maui and do it EXACTLY the way we wanted AND have a honeymoon. |
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Chi Chi Mama
Posts: 11212
Location: Spokompton, Wa | skeeter 777 - 2014-02-06 11:45 AM
Scotch - 2014-02-07 11:10 AM You can still do it for low cost, even with your family involved. I did. I got married in last June. We had a little place called "The Htiching Post" marry us. But we did not do it at the chapel. We got married at the nearby park which happened to have a lake in the background. So, that was free. Standing only for our guests. We rented a couple pillars. I made two vases of flowers I got from Hobby Lobby and the dollar tree to put on them. Also rented some plastic chain to make an aisle. I bought my bouquet at HL as well. Already pre-made. My dress from clearance at Davids Bridal. I did take it to them for alterations but could have had them done for much cheaper. We had our reception at a nearby "bar. (It didn't turn into a bar until later in the night, so it was all private) They provided a buffet type dinner for our guests. Then that night, entertainment was provided by them because we utilized the band that was already booked. :) We were in less then $2k with EVERYTHING. Dress and all. I'll see if I can attach some pics. Oh and we had a family member take the pictures. :) Good luck to you!
LOL...we got married at the Hitching Post 35 years ago!! Coeur d 'alene right?? ...and my folks got married there in 1953!!
Yes! Haha OMGosh, that is crazy that is has been around so long. Well, I guess if you go in the chapel you can tell it's been there that long. LOL  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| this thread is making me think about doing this if me and my so ever get married. I've herd from all my married friends to do it, they regret the big fancy weddings, caused them too much stress.
But I have alwyas wanted the dress |
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 Veteran
Posts: 292
Location: Northeast Nebraska | Nope. Not once in the coming up 36 years since we did it. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | Nope. It was my second marriage though. Maybe would have felt differently if it was my first.
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 There Could Be Aliens Out There
Posts: 1393
Location: North Central Kansas | I got married in Las Vegas in December while we were out there for the NFR. Best decision ever. I would say we spent about 1,500 on everything. I got my dress at Davids Bridal for $250! I made my own bouquet from silk flowers I got from Hobby Lobby so that I could have them forever. We just had immediate family there. The venue provided a webcast of our wedding that our friends and family were able to view for up to 10 days after the wedding.
ETA: That included two limos to and from the wedding!
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Edited by ks_cowgirl 2014-02-06 5:26 PM
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  Ms. Marine
Posts: 4642
Location: Texas | My husband and I went to the courthouse to get married. We don't regret it. Eventually we will have a wedding party when the time is right. |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | Didn't read all the replies, but you can have a very small wedding and still have the dress. If you are really close to your parents I would consider their feelings as well, though in the end it is about you and your SO.
We had a very small wedding. I only invited two people. Hubby invited I believe five or six. That was it. Short and sweet and very simple. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | We JUST did! I don't regret it one bit :) we're having a big outdoor reception, (open invite) with live music and cooking! I love being married already... (Says the married one week lady lol). |
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The Famous Hot Wing Chicken Girl
Posts: 2964
| Thanks for all of the replies. I'm still confused on what to do. I think if his family wasn't so hard to deal with, it would be easier. I would love to take our close family and have a small wedding on the beach..but he wants his mother there for the wedding and she doesn't have enough money to pay for her way. I don't feel comfortable paying her way after all the issues that have been caused.
Really, the only reason I want a "wedding" is the pretty dress. |
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| I didn't read all of the replies but...
We eloped... I wasn't sure but my hubby convinced me too... It was fantastic!! since then i have helped two of my friends plan their weddings and I hated every bit of it! and i'm in the process of helping with a third! I dont know why more people dont run off...
We originally wanted to go to Mexico to get married but that was when the Swine Flu broke out down there. So instead we went to a small ranch/resort in Missouri and got married. Came back home and had a reception (bascially a big party but i did get to wear a short white wedding dress!) about a month later. It was perfect!! I wouldn't change anything! and I am constantly teling my husband how right he was cuz i hate helping with these other weddings!! We also had just bout a 100 year old home when we got married so we saved the money to spruce it up a bit. |
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 Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| missroselee - 2014-02-06 5:48 PM Didn't read all the replies, but you can have a very small wedding and still have the dress. If you are really close to your parents I would consider their feelings as well, though in the end it is about you and your SO. We had a very small wedding. I only invited two people. Hubby invited I believe five or six. That was it. Short and sweet and very simple.
Yep. If the relationship with your father is good, don't cheat him of the memory of walking his little girl down the aisle if that's important to him. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 794
| Yes I regret it every day I really wish I had a wedding. I wish I had shared with my family that time in my life. I have been married 30 years now and still will not tell people that I eloped as I am so embarrassed about it. In my openion it is a cop out because you don't want to cowboy up and speak you peace. That is how I was at 23 years old to chicken to say what I wanted.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Missouri | 24 years ago we went to the courthouse to get a wedding license and then we decided to walk down the hall and had the judge marry us! do not regret it one bit
my oldest daughter and her husband had a small very inexpensive wedding! She got married in her grandmas front yard so they only invited close family and very close friends so it was small. then they had the party for who ever wanted to come!
Now my youngest is getting married, she is the one who likes to be the center of attention so I was really worried it was going to be a big production... well it started out going to be that way, now after seeing how much it was going to cost her, they are going to get married in a spot in the pasture with only a few family members and then going to a rest/bar for a reception and taking advantage of the band that will be playing that night! so no extra cost there! Like I told her you can take 100's of pics and dress and spend a bunch of money but after that day what exactly will you remember and how many pics will you display of you in your wedding dress!
If family wants the big wedding, let them pay for it! it you want to spend your money on your house then that is your choice.
Congrats and good luck |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | cowgirlchic - 2014-02-06 9:14 AM
Do you regret it?
We are thinking about eloping. SO has been for it since day 1, but I've been a little more hesitant. I would love to have the gorgeous dress and have a wedding.. but at the same time, I can't fathom spending all that money on 1 day. We are in the process of buying a house that needs needs all new floors, countertops and paint in every room. I have 7k left to pay on my truck and 17k in student loans left. For our venue, photographer and rings, we were up to almost 3k spent. That's not dress, food, decorations, etc. We are doing this 95% on our own. My parents are helping where they can and his parents don't care. (Another reason why I want to elope..his family is nuts!)
I'm really torn and my family and friends aren't helping. We can't really have a small wedding because our families are large. I was thinking of eloping in April.. Spending the money to fix our house, then having a "Hey we are hitched/house warming" party in the summer.. However I've been told that's out of line.
I eloped and have been married 24 years and have NEVER regretted it. I had been engaged 3 times before I married my husband and had actually completely planned a wedding and called it off 6 weeks before it happened. No way did I want to go through the stress of planning another one and then change my mind at the last minute...and I think my husband thought I'd run again if he gave me time to think about it! lol I am so glad I saved all that money for a down payment on a house and went the fast and easy way. My parents were mad, but I was 37 years old, so I figured I could make my own decisions. lol |
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I don't know if it was technically eloping......but we gave our parents and my brother 2 days notice. We were married in a church by a pastor, but only had our parents, my brother and one other family there. We all went to dinner right afterward at an awesome place.
We had only been together 3 months and engaged 2 wks so my parents were questioning my sanity. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE.
My parents threw us a very nice reception at their ranch 6 months later. Since the wedding was over there was no stress and we had so much fun. A big wedding just wasn't my thing. Could've cared less about any of it, just wanted to be married to my best friend. It seemed like a tremendous amount of wasted time and money. |
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I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | It was the best decision for me and hubby. Just us and two friends! LOL my cousin did the same thing within a few months. All my relatives that had big expensive weddings are divorced LOL!! Save your money for something useful! Or just have a cowboy wedding with jeans and boots and serve cake and punch only! |
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 Veteran
Posts: 168
Location: Wyoming | We eloped 12 years ago and don't regret it. I would rather spend money on a horse than a wedding. My sister got married in Vegas during NFR. It was just immediate family at the Little White Chapel. It was great. Maybe if I had to do it again might do that instead of just running to the local courthouse but only during the NFR. We never even had a reception which is fine too I spend that money on a horse also. :)
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| Did not elope but did most everything ourselves. My husband did not want lots of people at the actual wedding so we had about 30 family and super close friends, and then had a big party. We had friends take pictures so all we had to pay for was developing. Found a nice dress for "reasonable" and the guys wore black Wrangler jeans so they only had to rent the tux jackets and shirts. We paid $100 for flowers from the local grocery store and my mom did the arrangements. I had pizza and beer at the reception and we had a DJ. Everything all total when it was all said and done was right around $2k. If I had it to do again, I'd just have the big party. Honestly - the wedding DAY itself isn't near as big of a deal as the days, weeks, months, and years that follow. Good luck with whatever you decide but you can do it cheaply if want more than just the "official" part. And if you want a dress, get one, even if it's just the two of you. :) |
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 Hero of the Year
Posts: 10767
Location: Haslet, Texas | We didn't elope per say...but we did plan a day and go to the court house and get married. In laws thew us a party that night and the next morning we drove to Colorado for the honeymoon. I have never regretted it. Been married 30 years. My daughter just had a really nice outdoor fall wedding in October and she said it was very anticlimactic.
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