SUPER budget conscious

I would just like to say that you aren't saving money here, you're pushing the costs onto your guests. You may not be paying for it, but someone is, and 200 people is a huge amount to cook for. Like, a fucking ridiculous amount.

I can't even comment on much else, but you're not saving money. You're making other people pay for you.

@Michelle No one is being mean. Telling someone to elope so they don't harm their guests isn't mean. I had a small budget and was sure to host a wedding I can afford.

Weddings are a luxury. You don't need to have a huge 200 person wedding to be married. You should never risk the health and welfare of your guests because of budget.

@Leann, telling guests to bring unlimited quantities of their own alcohol to a public park and eat self-catered food out of crockpots is literally a recipe for disaster and an emergency room visit

Uhhh Leann my family is extremely Irish and no one brought their own. I'd have been extremely embarrassed if they thought they'd even need to bring their own booze.

I definitely agree, just as I said before, there is no way to gauge your tone online... just asking people to be mindful of how they're speaking to other humans. Geesh. Forget I said a damn thing.

It can be done for $10-$11 p/p but it won't be fancy. I recommend that you at least work a restaurant that will provide trays of food such as pasta, salad and bread.

I'm unsure of what being Irish has to do with byob? FH is part Irish, as is my family, still don't get it. Not every Irish person carries a flask. Also, most parks require a permit and something regarding pavilion use and alcohol.

Michelle, no one is attacking you or OP. We're trying to explain the risks she's taking by asking/expecting her family to work/cook for her wedding. As someone that spent my mom's second wedding cooking the entire time and missing important things, I can tell you it sucks. I was exhausted from cooking, I didn't get to socialize with family or my mom and step dad.

Expecting people to cook and bring food for your wedding is really rude and inconsiderate.

Your budget and guest list don't match. I get not wanting to throw down tens of thousands on one day and wanting to spend that money instead on your life together (i.e. house, future, etc). But if that is what you want (a super small budget) you can't have 200 people properly hosted. Believe me, part of me hates how much we are spending on our wedding and have so many better uses for our future for that money. However, I knew I wanted to celebrate my wedding with my family and friends. Our guest list is approximately 230. I have a huge family as my dad is 1 of 9 and my mom is 1 of 6 (over 30 cousins not counting SOs) and we are close with everyone. My family is over 70 people on the guest list. I mention my guest list size because I get it, 200 people may seem a lot to some people, but for others it really isn't. For some people it would be incredibly difficult to cut from 200. But it is a choice. We decided, together, that we wanted to celebrate getting married with the people that mattered to us. And unfortunately that meant spending more money, especially as the wedding is in one of the most expensive areas for weddings. So you need to choose. Spend more money and properly host all 200; cut that guest list as hard as it may be; or I guess host a cake and punch reception. I'd never heard of a cake and punch reception until wedding wire but I guess that's an option too, though idk how that would work with 200 people.

@OP, what we're trying to say is that you absolutely CAN have an affordable wedding with your budget. But inviting that many people and cutting the corners to make it work is a BAD idea. It's 100% in your best interests (and your guests' as well) to cut the list and host properly

Good lordt! I have a budget of 3K and a guest count of 20! I honestly don't see how you would be able to float a decent wedding for 200 people. Outside! Self catering! No ma'am....please don't risk it *WIDE EYES*

I'll never understand the desire to want to host a "cheap" wedding, or any event. Inexpensive, yes, but why would anyone want to refer to their wedding as cheap?

I love the crockpot. I made the most orgasmic cockpot chili last weekend .. in my home .. for just FH and I. Respect your guests enough to not make them waste their time by coming to a cheap affair.

I did a extremely cheap wedding less than $500 but for only 4 guests. Married in the park, venue free, officiant$80, my dress $85, H's attire 45, small wedding cake $45, flowers 0 (they lost the order so it was free), lunch at my favorite italian restaurant $150ish. It was perfect for us I couldn't imagine spending a lot of money on a wedding. We are saving for a house

@MMB "wtf are dump meals? lol"

A dump meal is simply a crock pot meal with meat, veggies and some kinda potatoes, rice or noodles to make it a balanced meal. You just dump in all the ingredients, plug it in and serve when done.

@OP, if you don't come back to answer everyone's comments can you at least answer what a, "dump meal" is? Pretty please?

ETA: nevermind just saw PPs response to what a dump meal is.

Is it really a wedding or more of a chili cookoff when there's 20 crockpots or so lined up on tables?

A wedding at less than $15pp also including attire, decor and any extras...I just can't imagine it.

I would love for someone to explain how this is possible.

I can't really gauge her tone but I think Michelle is mad at us guys

@Michelle How is it ridiculous to not want your guests in the hospital??

@FMG dying over your use of "cockpot"

I think I've heard of "Dump Meals". I've sometimes seen As Seen On TV cookbooks for Dump Cakes and Dump Meals where you just put all of the ingredients in the pot (literally dumping them in) and it cooks that way. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the lady I see on the magazines.

Shannon has the right idea here!