Granted, we worked hard to keep the cost low. Temple was free. Wife’s boss and my sister let us borrow their awesome backyards for both receptions, family and I setup and took down, wife traded work for bridals and won a free engagement session on Instagram. Wife also scored a deal on wedding pictures and flowers, and her uncle paid his son to do videography. Other than that, we didn’t go extravagant on food (Costco cheesecake and homemade toppings with Italian sodas) and brother in law did BBQ for family party. I scored a great deal on the after-wedding Marriott.

Disneyland for honeymoon (payback to my wife for her awesome work with the wedding) which was extra cheap since I was able to get my military discount.

It was a little stressful, but well worth it to not go into debt. My brothers wedding a few months earlier cost $50K. Yeesh.