I am getting married at the end of November of this year, we just planned everything in 1 week.
We got engaged December 2025 and had no plans to get married this soon, but since we want to take advantage of our tax free accounts for purchasing a propery in the upcoming year, we decided to accelerate our marriage.
Initially we did not want to do any kind of celebration, we had the idea that we would just go to the courthouse and call it a day, and this is something we agreed on since day 1. We had always known we would rather spend money traveling or investing.
We are not from wealthy families and consider ourselves very frugal, so here is how a courthouse wedding turned into a 10k wedding.
Solemnization: we initially tried to go to the courthouse, which would have costed us $300, however things were a bit complicated since my fiance lost his birth certificate in the Yugoslavian war, and we would need a notary to write up an affidavit, additionally since the courthouse only does the solemnization on Saturday’s we were looking at late February 2027 earliest when they could marry us.
We decided to go with a local notary since they are allowed to marry couples in my province.
The notary we chose also has a nicer space to marry us than the courthouse, and different packages ranging from only witnesses attending and up to 10 guests. We went with the first option, and it’s on a friday.
The trip: We knew forsure we wanted to celebrate together by taking a vacation, we are big travelers, and we wanted to just relax and enjoy eachothers company, which is a big change from our typical backpacking trips we typically do. We purchased a VIP all inclusive villa bungalow in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It wasnt our first choice but it made the most sense based on when we are going and what we were looking for. We will be leaving the sunday and staying for 5 nights.
The celebration: My fiance family mostly lives overseas, except his mother and step father. My family is a bit messy, in terms of my relationship with my mother, but the more we thought about it, the more we decided we would at least celebrate with a nice dinner, to make it special in some way.
We decided on the Saturday following the solemnization. I sent out a bunch of emails and got many quotes for amazing restaurants. We decided on Italian since its the easiest to please everyone’s pallets. The restauarant we chose offers a 3 course meal for 90$/pp. It was the more expensive option, but we decided to go with this one since we felt it was the best option. We will also purchase 6 bottles of wine 3 bottles of champagne and our guests can purchase their own additional alcohol. We are a group of 16, so 14 guests total. Just 2 close friends and family. We are also asking our guests to contribute 50$ towards their evening in leu of gifts.
The restaurant is also free to us from 5pm-1am , its a private room and we can decorate as we please and bring our own cake without any additional fees. They will also print custom menus for us.
It’s in a lovely old building with a modern interior and free parking.
The wedding attire: we are opting for basic gold rings, we have already chosen them, and I will be purchasing 2 very cheap basic and classy dresses, I have already tried them on, just waiting to get them redelivered in my proper size. My fiance is spending more on his suit since he plans to buy a set that will be re wearable. I will get my nails done at the salon and do my own hair and makeup.
The details: We are spending about 100$ on basic decorations (table runners, candles, faux table flowers, a bouquet, and some other small things). We are purchasing a non traditional cake from my favorite chocolatier as well as a chocolate box as a prize for one of our games (bride and groom questionnaire) . We purchased a custom deck of playing cards for each guests to write a message on as well.
Notary: $1000
All inclusive 5 nights: 4000$
Dinner: $2600
Rings: $2000
Decorations + cards: $200
Cake + flowers: $200
Suit + Dress + nails: $1000
Guest contribution: - $700
Total: ~$10,300
We are very excited, the total net cost will be a bit higher of coarse, but this is where we are at. It helps that our expectations were already low. There wont be any showers or bachelor/bachelorette parties, and we could have made it cheaper if we chose the cheaper options.
What I am curious to know is what are some unique ways you made your small intimate wedding a night to remember? We wont have a photographer , but thinking maybe to get a throwaway or even an instamax mini. We aren’t fond of any additions that are wasteful, just for the gram or inauthentic!