THE RECEPTION: TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE

If your budget is small, tight, meager, or modest and you're trying your best not to involve a committee, you need to be extremely realistic about what's doable. Some of the things that are not, for example is inviting 500 people to your 200K wedding. You want to invite everyone you know but realistically? No bueno, it's not happening. Think small, think tailored, think unique.

So, do you really need to have a reception on a tight budget of say 200K? It is important to realize that receptions are not compulsory. It costs money to feed people and there are no cops or matrimonial gods who are going to hunt you down if a reception is not in your cards. That said, let's get a bit more realistic.

After your wedding ceremony you can have a 'receiving reception' in the same venue, where you and your new spouse meet and greet your guests. A truly "cake and refreshments" affair, where wedding cake and refreshments are on the menu and the time commitment is short (under 2  hours). Or you can opt for bitings and refreshments to suit your budget.

The reception is the one part of the budget which takes the biggest hit and it is to celebrate your marriage. Most people are happy to just share in the day with you, they should be content with whatever you can comfortably offer.