Originally Posted by SirLance

You don't want to start your life together with a debt.

Part of what makes weddings expensive is hall rental and catering. So, if you can control those (by having say, your local supermarket prepare some hors d'oveurs at $50 a platter) and using, perhaps, someone's home for the reception.

The problem with destination weddings (like Sandals) is that your wedding party gets a travel bill.... probably not a good idea if everyone's struggling for money. A week at Sandals runs 3 - 5k, so you won't want that anyway...

Doing your own decor and flowers will save you a bundle. Avoid the limo. You'll want a photographer and a videographer, which will cost about 1.2k for both, but maybe you could get someone to give you one of those as a wedding gift.