Under $10,000 Elopement (long distance engagement)

Yes!!! Newly engaged so we haven't quite set the date yet for next year! I'm kind of non-traditional so my plan is for us to go out of state just with immediate family to elope and have our reception back home (but keep it simple!). We are very adventurous and I'm a vintage/antique fanatic so I'm hoping to find cute cheap do it yourself ideas for our reception with family! I love the idea of live streaming for family not attending!

We thought of eloping, even reached out to vendors but then decided to go with the traditional wedding, mainly for our families as we both are the youngest. I think 10k is a lot for an elopment. But I guess you are paying for the convenience of having everything in a package. Congrats! And good luck!

10k is wayyyy high for an elopement in my opinion. I'd drop that down to half. Most photographers offer elopement packagers at cheaper rates.

Also, if a family member had a Facebook live of their elopement i would think it's rude. 1. It defeats the purpose of ELOPING. Why advertise it and post about it when eloping is traditionally something you keep quiet about...?

2. You want me to watch this on FB but didn't invite me? Just rubs me the wrong way.

I think including moving costs in the wedding is not needed tbh. If you're inviting these people to housewarming parties, showers and stuff they should be invited to the wedding...

Why would housewarming guests need to be invited to the wedding? IMO, a housewarming is not part of any wedding event. ETA Perhaps skip the send off.

This seems super weird to be honest. I’m not understanding why the two separate totals. Why the apartment cost is included in the wedding budget. Why all these parties, and such about moving? Why are people being designated to finance and host the parties?

Elopement packages are amazing, no stress and everything done. If you feel like your getting a good bang for your buck, go for it. I'm not sure I fully understand your situation, but elopement packages can be much cheaper.

A FB live post is not rude... I'm eloping and they offered a package to allow family to watch live from home (but it wasn't though fb, so it would be open for close family/friends only).

Friends/family still want to be part of your life events, having an engagement party and housewarming party is not rude.

Hillary, no one is saying engagement party or housewarming party is rude. We’re saying inviting people to those events but not a wedding can be seen as rude.

Facebook live streaming it is odd to me. It almost seems like a rub in the face. They’re not important enough for a wedding invite but they can watch via Facebook live??

FH’s mom isn’t attending the wedding. We’ve thought of live streaming it but he decided not to.

You come throw a really nice dinner reception for that price. There is an all included venue here where you might have to make a few decisions but overall it's stress free. I've seen elopement pkgs here for Savannah Georgia for about $600. Flowers, officiant and photographer provided

I would not want to watch a wedding via FB live and cannot imagine my family doing this either. I'm a little confused why there is a need for a going away party and a house warming party. Are they in different parts of the country? Why are moving expenses in a wedding budget? That seems to be taking up most of it.

An elopement is just you and your future spouse. An intimate ceremony can have a few people at it. You need to decide what type of ceremony you want.

A housewarming is separate from anything wedding related.

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Ok thanks everyone for the advice. Yes, we are engaged long distance and he is in the Navy so it's been difficult with family all over the country and even the two of us in separate places. We are including the send off and the housewarming because since we are having no guests at the wedding (everyone is very far away and the nuptials happen next month) we want the St. Louis people were I currently live and where my mom's side is from to congregate beforehand. We want the Washington DC people where my fiancé, his family, my dad's side, and our college friends are located, to congregate afterwards. We care about them and even want to feed them during a celebration but getting everyone together in one spot that was not a home town became difficult so we settled on this solution. Facebook Live was a family request after we made all of these decisions so hopefully it will be meaningful to parents who won't be in attendance.

I'm with Olivia.. This seems gift grabby..

FH and I are long distance... and I mean long distance. He's in BC, I'm in Florida.. A housewarming party, or going away party wasn't even thought of. Those that love you, and want to be at your wedding will find a way. We have guests from several different states, and even some coming in from Canada.

This is when a couple should say: " This is where we're having the wedding. We'd love it if you can attend, but we understand if you're unable to due to travel."

Again, those that love you and want to celebrate with you will find a way to attend if invited.

One of my friends is former Navy, her fiancé is active duty Navy. She's not doing any of this, and they're in two completely different states right now.

ETA: words

I don't see anything wrong w the FB live elopement. People who want to watch will.

I also don't see anything wrong with you having a going away party in St. Louis but if it's also an engagement party, that may be a problem since anyone invited to your engagement party should also be invited to your wedding. To keep it from seeming "gift grabby", I'd just keep it as purely a going away party where people don't normally bring gifts.

I know people who have had showers and eloped. I didn't have a problem with it but that was the only wedding-related celebration they had.

I've personally never been to a housewarming for anyone that wasn't purchasing a home. It appears like you two are renting an apartment? Other than that, since this will be a different Group of people, I think it's ok

ETA changed my mind

A housewarming doesn’t usually involve gifts per se, we had a housewarming when FH and I moved in together eons ago. People brought us booze, it was fabulous and unexpected. I would never bring a full on gift to a housewarming.

In my circle a housewarming and going away party would be normal. Just don't explicitly link it to the wedding.

We do tons of 'embellished elopements every year....20ish guests, a great officiant (cough cough), photographer, flowers, music. Usually under 5000.00. No social media involved, no 'extracurricular' parties.

Is that a go fund me announcement you added? I 'm confused.

Ha. We don’t want presents and we are happy with our careers. We are minimalists who have been living on our own for a while. Just fellowship with others outside of a traditional wedding. Thanks again for the interesting outlooks.

I am also a little confused on the purpose of the announcement. Is this going out to people, or is it just for us to understand what is happening and how?

Also IMO, $4570 for an elopement is INSANE!

We had a full wedding with up to 50 people with chairs, arch, decorations, flowers, officiant, photographer (pics were AMAZING), DOC, beach fees, clean up/set up and filing of the marriage license for $2500. I think you can find something less expensive if you look.

My entire wedding is just under $10k.. that's complete with open bar, hors d'oeuvres, appetizers and entrees for approx 40 guests.