Ways we were frugal and our must-haves:

1. We had it at a restaurant that provided food without space rental. It was a super cool restaurant that had an upstairs for events. It was buffet style.

2. We didn’t invite cousins, which sucked, but that would have doubled the guest list. The final count was about 60. We invited close friends, parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Cousins that still lived at home could come with their parents (and a couple snuck in because we wouldn’t say no to anyone that wanted to come).

3. Got my makeup done for free at Sephora for spending $50.

4. No bridesmaids or groomsmen. It’s extra work and none of our friends cared either way.

5. Mother in law did flowers.

6. Friends brought their own stuff and decorated. Our colors were “flowers” so really, anything was game.

7. We drove around to state parks near water, and when we found the one we wanted, we rented the pavilion so no one else could show up. We didn’t plan to have chairs, but chairs just happened to be there.

8. Camping for honeymoon where WiFi didn’t work.

Photos in the yard of our apartment complex before it started:

More photos at a public park. People moved out of the way without asking!

Jack dog was the official best man because HE IS THE BEST MAN!!!

Marshall Park in Madison, WI. Even if the chairs weren’t there, it wouldn’t have been bad for people to stand. The ceremony took 10 minutes and my BFF was the officiant.

It was good weather on our honeymoon except one day when it rained.

And here’s the breakdown. I didn’t include the engagement ring in this list because my husband said that was a “gift.”