How to Get Married Without a Classic Wedding and Save Money

When you're finally ready to get married, it can be an exciting time. However, with the cost of a classic wedding, many couples are deciding to hold of on a traditional marriage ceremony due to lack of money. Here are a few tips for getting married, when your ready, and saving money by forgoing a classic wedding ceremony.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Get married in front of a Justice of the Peace. A quick and easy way to save money on a classic wedding ceremony is to get married by a JP (Justice of the Peace). What is nice about having a JP marry you is that you can chose to get married in their office, or many times they will come to you for an additional, but small fee. Pricing for getting married by the JP varies by state, but ranges roughly around $150.00 including blood tests. You'll need to be sure to order your marriage license from the courthouse which is around $45.00, but again varies from state to state. You can find a JP in your local telephone book or by calling your local District Magistrate or county courthouse.

2. 
    

   Save money on a classic wedding by eloping. Eloping can be fun, exciting, and inexpensive compared to the cost of a traditional wedding ceremony. To save even more money, choose a place that is cheap, but beautiful such as a city in your same state where you can find a sweet little bed and breakfast and discount events to do. Plan a small mini vacation near your home, but far enough away that you actually feel your eloping. You can also find a Justice of the Peace in almost any town so getting married for less than the cost of a classic wedding will be easy. Make your elopement a weekend getaway and do the marriage and honeymoon all in one!

3. 
    

   Plan a small wedding in your backyard. To steer clear of the expensive costs of a classic wedding ceremony, you could plan a small marriage ceremony in your backyard. You could even make it a barbeque and invite friends and family who can bring their own food (a dish to pass) and drinks. This will save you lots of money on feeding guests. You can also hire a Justice of the Peace who will come and marry you in your backyard. Decorations can be purchases from a Dollar Store or have friends and family decorate for you. You'll save money on a church and reception hall by getting married in your own backyard.

Tips & Warnings

• Many people also hire their minister to perform a wedding ceremony in their backyard...check the prices between a JP and minister to get the best cost.
• If your opting for a plain wedding, try purchasing dress from a department store in white or cream instead of buying an expensive wedding dress...your husband-to-be could get a suit also instead of renting a tux.
• Have an outdoor luau wedding in your backyard to save money on a classic ceremony...you and all your guests could dress in Hawaiian clothing for a fun wedding and reception...have each person bring a Hawaiian dish to pass.

[kristara]

on 8/18/2009 Great money saving wedding tips 5*

[goodselfme]

on 8/7/2009 Good and thoughtful ways to save money by getting married without a classic wedding.

[joni04]

on 8/6/2009 Great tips, I bet you could save A LOT by getting married in your own backyard!