My first wedding cost about $1500- $2000 all up. We only had 20 odd guests but had the fancy reception place (a small one in the hills that did small weddings). We were able to buy the alcohol ourselves & take it up the day before & they just served it for us. We had a celebrant at the reception place and were married in the garden.

We had magnificent flowers but they were done by friend of the family who did floristry as a hobby so that didn't cost much. We didn't have a photographer - we had a family member take a video & another one to take the photos. Both turned out well. With digital cameras these days, having a friend do the photos would even be easier.

My dress cost $300 and was definately a "fairytale" dress but it was second hand. We were lucky with wedding cars as they were provided by my FIL's work so cost nothing.

We had nothing but positive comments from those that attended. They loved how small it was, it was more intimate. We got to talk properly to everyone who attended.

We did things this way as my parents offered to pay for a big wedding or a small wedding and a nice honeymoon. Because of what we chose we ended up honeymooning for two weeks in Hawaii. I will never regret our choice to do things the way we did them.

I'm getting married again (probably next year) and we are planning to have a small wedding too. No wedding dress this time as at 41 I feel I'm too old for that, but I will have something nice & it's sure to cost less than my 1st one did. We haven't worked out a budget yet but we will be keeping costs down as much as possible as we need the money for our future.