Help please

I would just elope 😀

As PP mentioned, eloping is a good option. Or could you postpone until you're able to save some on your own? It's not easy when you don't have help. My fiance and I are paying for everything on our own.

The fact that they don’t drink helps with finances a little bit. Where is your venue? Like a park/some where free or cheap? Are you allowed to bring in your own food if needed?

Since it’s intimate, you don’t need to spend much on stationary. I’m not even doing save the dates and am making my own simple invitations.. it’s a smaller wedding and everyone already knows the date.

Do you need a photographer? You could maybe find a student or freelance for cheaper rather than a mainstream. Or have a photographer friend do it as their gift to you. You could also put disposable cameras on the tables (kinda old school, but still fun).

Have someone you know be your officiant (not sure if you’re religious or not..I know you mentioned they are though). It could be their gift to you. Anyone can do it as long as they get ordained on time.

You could use fake flowers since they're less pricey. Even better, pick a few fresh flowers anywhere you can. For example, my friend cut some greenery from her backyard and put in bud vases (which are cheap or free..ask around, save old bottles from Starbucks, Facebook marketplace, etc.) for centerpieces. I just found bud vases for $10 on marketplace and will be grabbing some eucalyptus and baby’s breath to put in them.

What time of day is it? If it’s at brunch time, you’d just have to worry about some brunch foods right after ceremony. Or ceremony at 1 with reception hour to follow with apps only. Then it’s not during a meal time.

Plug in an iPod for a music playlist.. no DJ needed.

Don’t buy a guest book.. have a coffee table book of something you like or a board game you’d play for people to sign (or whatever your interests.

Just some ideas! Hope this helps! I’m paying for my own wedding as well, so I’m always thinking of ways to save and make it simple while still creating an elegant wedding vibe. Find a lot of DIY

Is there any way you could cut the guest list? That would give you more wiggle room in the budget

If I were you, I would do a midday Sunday ceremony at a courthouse, church, or park and go to a nice restaurant after. Get a friend to take a few pictures, Costco has cheap flowers, and for a small wedding you probably just buy a dozen cupcakes or a small cake for everyone.

Another option is if you have a friend with a cool backyard ask if you can do a backyard BBQ. Have a friend be the grillmaster and do a potluck for the sides/desserts. String lights, chairs and a tent can be rented for under $500 and you could probably spring to rent some nice speakers to hook up to Spotify for music.

If you actually want to get married in a church, it can be very cost effective and you could also hold your reception there. If you do not want a church (obviously this is a very personal decision), I would try to find a park with a covered outdoor area or a courthouse and nearby restaurant. Some courthouses are actually really nice. You will probably save money if you choose catering from a restaurant (such as tacos from moe's, pizzas, BBQ) which usually come out to $10-$15 per person vs. more traditional caterers that can be $25+++ per person.

Do you want a wedding? Would you be okay eloping just you two? If not, I'd hold a cake & punch reception during a non-meal time like 10-11:30 or 2-4 or 7-9. Then you'd be okay not serving alcohol, and spending limited money on nonalcoholic drinks & desserts. You could hold the small reception in a public park or a VFW or a friends yard or house.