No idea what I'm doing - small wedding, no wedding party, 3 months?

1. I think it's possible, but it'll likely be more stressful than spreading it out by picking another date. As Stephanie said, what you mentioned is all you need. Talk to your fiancé and figure out what your priorities are to allocate your budget. Personally, I'd want to invest the bulk of the money in the alcohol, catering and photography as that's what you and your guests will remember most. How many guests do you plan to invite? In terms of florals and outfits, you may be able to find an "a la carte" florist (or the option at least) and an inexpensive dress by purchasing something previously worn through a company like The Bride's Project in Toronto. Instead of a DJ, you could enlist the help of family and friends (if you and your fiancé aren't up to the task yourselves) to help you create a playlist. You could then rent or utilize the venue's sound system to save yourself $1,000-2,000+ by not hiring a DJ.

2. It is possible! If you have a small guest list, one room may be big enough to utilize this way. Many venues such as banquet halls have the option to divide a room to accommodate a smaller wedding.

3. I'm not sure how to do this as I haven't done it yet myself, but I think you can customize this how you want it and based on the venue, among other things.

4. You and your fiancé could have a "sweetheart table," but where you have it depends on the venue and layout of the specific room you'd be in.

Thank you for the detailed response!

It seems so "simple" but a little overwhelming! I think we may have found a venue that has a whole package including photographer and food, but it is pricier than finding independent people. Then again, less hassle with how little time we have left...

The info re: entrance is very helpful. I have been to some weddings where people make grand entrances and receptions where they have so many people being introduced. I don't have or want any of that.

And sorry for the silly question but what exactly is the "first look" before the ceremony? I thought tradition was that the groom is not to see the bride until they walk down the aisle or appear before the minister?

Lastly, I am glad to know we can have both wedding and ceremony in the same room. That will help if I can't find a suitable venue. I really just want to keep it as simple and low-cost as possible but still be nice. I'm also thinking of more of a "cocktail style" (?) reception..if that's the word. Like a late afternoon lunch/early dinner without a full-blown menu, late night table, etc. But again, I don't know how the flow of that would work.

Would people dance at a late-afternoon reception? Especially if there's barely any alcohol due to that?

Also, what do you guys recommend for a venue for about 60-75 people? I have unfortunately heard back over the past 2 days from some nice locations saying either I do not have enough people or they are already booked. I have contacted them through WeddingWire. The one venue that got back to me is quite pricey - technically under budget but once we add outfits, beauty, etc. we can't afford it.

I think I feel pretty confused as well since my wedding won't really be traditional since we won't have a wedding party, it will be a small wedding, and we may not have the typical evening reception.

Well.... I think Stephanie said it all... lol

1. That is really all you need! Find a venue that suits your date, find a photographer you like, buy a dress/rent a suit, find a caterer (or a venue that includes catering, but those tend to be more pricey), hire a DJ or rent a sound system and create a playlist and have some people take care of music (that's what we did). If you wanted a bouquet or centerpieces for the tables or an arch for the ceremony but all of those are optional.

2. Depends on your venue. We basically did this due to rain. We had the reception tables set up on one side and the ceremony happened on the dance floor; since it was last minute, everyone stood, but you could set up chairs on the dance floor and then clear those chairs for the dance later. If it's a smaller space, it is still possible, it just might mean having a few volunteers clear the ceremony chairs and add some tables. Some venues also have two rooms; one designed for the ceremony and one for the reception.

3. For the entrance, it's up to you how you want to do it. We had my husband walk both of our moms down the aisle to start (separately). His dad followed him and his mom and my dad walked me down. I had a friend who both the groom and the bride entered in the back of the ceremony space from different doors and walked down together.

You can do a first look (you and your fiance and the photographer are alone and he turns around to see you for the first time) and then can take formal pictures before the ceremony. After the ceremony, you and your husband would walk down the aisle together, maybe have a receiving line and then go for pictures with family and maybe some more of just the two of you. If you do a first look, you could probably get by with having the reception start an hour or so after the ceremony.

Most people do an entrance for the reception. The DJ or MC announces the couple as they walk into the reception. It doesn't have to be this way though.

4. You can decide where you want to sit. You don't have to have a head table. My cousin and her husband sat at a table with their siblings at a round table like the rest of the guests; another friend had their table in the centre of the room with their bridal party and the other tables around it (so most people were able to sit close to them, which was nice). You can have a table just for the two of you, you can sit with your parents or siblings.