The $100 Wedding: How to Upgrade from a Courthouse Quickie to a Wedding to Remember

There are lots of articles about getting married "on the cheap," but in today's wedding industry, "cheap" is considered to begin at $1000! This article is intended for the couple who does not have significant extra money that describes a way to have a wedding plus reception for a group of up to 24 people for $100, using principles of wedding planning from the 1920's-1960's.

The $100 Wedding...

If you are a bride-to-be (or groom-to-be) who wants a wedding and reception for your closest friends and family, but you want to keep your costs minimal, the $100 Wedding may be for you.

If you are will to do a bit of work yourself (and perhaps enlist the help of your family members and friends), you really CAN have a wedding and reception for $100.

Here is how it is done:

1. Wedding license- This costs around $30 in most states and is mandatory. There is no way to get around this expense if you want to be legally married.

$100 -30= $70.00 remaining

2. Wedding Venue- The wedding venue does not have to be the justice of the peace's office to be free. In fact, many of our parents and grandparents got married in their parents or relative's homes,in the living room of their pastor or in the chapel at their church. These are all still free options today. Additionally, consider public parks, beaches and gardens. If you are not setting up for a reception and just want to run in with 2 dozen people and get married in a 20 minute ceremony, you usually do not need a permit or to pay a fee. Fees and permits are usually required when you have any sort of "set up" (chairs, chuppah, flowers, etc.) or want to cordone the area off for the privacy of your party. If you just go and get married without requiring a set up or privacy, most places that already offer free admission will not charge you anything. Of course, you can call and ask, just to make sure.
Other possible free venues include your backyard or that of a friend or family member, the public space in front of an historical building or landmark or, if either of you are in the military, somewhere beautiful on base.

$70.00- FREE= $70.00 remaining