Tony and Jenna’s Wedding

Tony and I have been engaged for about 8 months and we are planning a very small diy wedding. We were counting on my annual Christmas bonus to help us fund the wedding along with us not spending money on entertainment or eating out.  When January rolled around my Grandmother's water heater quit and since she is on a fixed income and all of her children have passed it came to me to help her get a new one.  This took a substanial amount away from our budget (which was already fairly small).  Then in March Tony's transmission gave out and had to be replaced.  This ate up the rest of our wedding savings.

Normally you would rely on family for help with a wedding but I lost both of my parent's four years ago and I am the one within my remaining family that they look for financial support when needed. I have a job with a local Credit Union but I am just starting out with them and my pay is on the lower end of middle class.  Tony is in Graduate School and works during the day (without pay) giving free therapy to children from lower income households who have been abused or gone through traumatic situations.  He waits tables at night and on the weekends but we still struggle to get our bills payed.  Tony is the oldest of five children, all of whom are still in school.  His parents aren't able to help us because they are stretched thin with their family commitments.  

We aren't planning a lavish or large wedding.  We have asked family and friends to save wine bottles so that I can cut them for our centerpieces.  I am growing flowers on our deck to use for bouquets and I am going to bake our wedding cakes myself.  

This truly only leaves the cost of the church, reception hall and food for guests.  I was planning on trying to cook for the reception myself but I know that I am already over committed.  We don't plan on having a honeymoon and had thought about not having a reception either.  This is my last effort in trying to have a chance to celebrate our wedding with friends and family.

Any and all help would be appreciated.  I know that a wedding is not about having a lavish reception or an expensive dress.  Tony and I have both been through a lot together and I feel so blessed to be able to marry him.  I would just appreciate that chance to look back and remember celebrating our wedding day with the people that mean the most to us in the world.