Young couple with a tight budget and need tons of advice!

Bridal parties don't have to be eliminated ....gifts dont have to be expensive Kate spade necklaces. Nothing wrong with making your own gifts. Bridesmaids shouldn't be expecting to get anything (gifts in general should never be " expected " to give ...)...

Flowers for bridal party can be handmade as well.

If you're not getting your bridal party gifts, I'd hope you're letting them wear everything in their closet, not having them have an extra days hotel for a rehersal dinner, asking for any hair and makeup.

I'm not sure I could sit through a two hour ceremony...what is involved with that?

The popular religion in this area is Pentecostal and they have a full sermon at most of their weddings. Then their is the ceremony and that usually includes what I call a 2 becoming 1 ceremony. They always have a parents ceremony were the bride and groom give a small gift to all parents and most of the time grandparents ( if they are still living). I have seen children ceremonies if they are going to be a blended family and then the readings of favorite verses or singing of a favorite song. They have huge bridal parties like 8-10 brides maids and the same for grooms men. Anyway the more formal the longer the ceremony. Because of my health issues I have declined going to some weddings and just went to the reception. I always ask before I plan on doing this. The first wedding my FH went to with me he fell asleep I had to keep waking him up LOL. Anyway that is the norm for this area.

I think a lot of the stress in weddings come from heaping all these 'must haves' onto what starts out as a relatively simple (not unimportant) event. Most of what the media tells you is necessary isn't, and trying to include every little thing when you're trying to stick to a budget is a sure recipe for making yourself insane.

My advice still stands; small guest list, no or few attendants (less drama there too), a simple, beautiful dinner after a meaningful ceremony. You'll be just as married and you won't be covered with glue gun scars, lol.

(Celia, the glue gun scars gave me my first laugh of the morning, so thanks for that.)

Keep the guest list small, try using a backyard as the ceremony and reception site and if you do decorations, check out discount places or DIY. However, sometimes DIY can be expensive, you can look for rentals or used decorations.

Also, think out of the box. Instead of a guest book i bought off brand jinga ( not sure how to spell that) blocks for guest to sign. also flowers are a big cost. have you thought of doing home made paper flowers.