Congrats & good luck with the wedding planning

We had a smallish wedding, ceremony in a park & reception in my parents backyard for about 65 people. It was over $2k all up but our biggest expense was food & booze - we had a caterer come in and do the buffet type thing as well, the photographer was our other big expene but if you have a friend that will do it for you that's a bonus.

My dress cost me $350 and I did up/printed my own invites, decorations were from Ikea and ebay.

And about the gift registery if you want to do one go for it - it does help people to get you stuff you want & need if they choose to use it - just because you want a small wedding doesn't mean you can't have one.............weddings / babies / funerals etc bring out everyone's opinion on what should & shouldn't be done - do what makes you happy, it's YOUR day after all