Why We Paid $425 For Our Wedding And Don’t Regret It One Bit

wedding
Hi ladies!

This is an hour to use wisdom in all that we do and even with our finances. Many have dreams of a fairytale wedding and even when that’s possible, use wisdom in your reality. I know that this is a sensitive topic for ladies, because we’ve imagined our perfect day as little girls. Now for those who are in this season and feel pressured to live up to family, friends, and even social media, let me encourage you. Here’s why my husband and I decided to take a “not so normal” approach to an American wedding.

1. It made sense.

Listen, Jonathan and I didn’t have much when we got married. He was still traveling, speaking, writing books, and I was a flight attendant at the time averaging a whopping $20,000 a year. When we got married, we had an apartment, a bed & dresser w/mirror, and a television without a television stand. That’s it! Not spending thousands of dollars on a wedding for one day?…well, it just made sense.

WHY would we get credit cards to pay for a wedding? Refused to do it.

WHY would we solicit funds from family and friends for a one day event? Refused to do it.

WHY would we get in even more debt to have the appearance of something for one day while we could be building for our future? Refused to do it.

WHY would we be stretched for money starting a marriage when the #1 reason for DIVORCE is financial stress? Refused to do it.

Though some family and even some friends tried to pressure us into having a wedding “since it’s a day we wouldn’t forget”….we reminded ourselves of debt that we ALSO wouldn’t be able to forget, and we made our decision not to have a “wedding” …it just made sense.

 

2. We were focused on building.

We didn’t have a tremendous amount of debt, but we both had student loans that we were adamant about paying off.

So, we got married in a house. Yep, I said it…a house! We had about 50 of our closest family members, godparents, and friends present. Jonathan wore a suit that he already had, and I bought a $200 dress only because I didn’t have a formal dress in my closet already.

We got married on a Wednesday evening. That Friday morning, I was putting on my flight attendant uniform heading right back to work. We had our honeymoon in Memphis where we resided at the time. Jonathan had planned to come to work with me, because I had a layover in Florida that weekend, but the flights were completely booked….so he stayed home and unpacked our things, and we worked on vision while I was on my layover at work.

We were building something.

Helping Note: Dear Sis, spend more time planning for your marriage than you do for your wedding! Weddings are only one day.

It’s been 5+ years later, and we always say that that was one of the smartest decisions of our lives! We don’t feel like we missed out on anything AT all, in fact I think we started off with an advantage because we weren’t worried about how to finish paying off a wedding. So, no, we didn’t have the wedding of our dreams, but we do have the marriage of our dreams. …and to us, that means so much more.


Join me Friday morning, July 21st in Jacksonville, Florida for “The Lady Extraordinaire” – an intimate half-day training with me ending with a 4-course business lunch in a prestigious, upscale setting. For a bonus, I’m even throwing in some business etiquette tips while we dine.

We have only 5 slots left! Click this link to register today, because once these last few slots are gone, that’s it! I’m soooo excited to see you and pour into you!

Also, thank you for your support and feedback on The Necessary Lady’s Mastermind Course. I look forward to hearing about your family being in the proper place for your destiny. For the ladies who feel they can’t do all that God has called them to, this course will help you in your now. Still don’t think you can balance multiple roles AND do what God has called you to do? I’m here to tell you- YOU CAN.  Click here for more information.

♥Love you so much♥

Amanda Ferguson.

Wife. Mother. Author. Entrepreneur.

59 Comments

  1. Barbara on 17 May 2017 at 9:35 am

    Wow, that was good.



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 9:39 am

      Thank you 🙂



    • Aliciea Angel Faith on 18 May 2017 at 7:27 am

      I think that was Awesome! Because as time goes on you and your Husband can always have a Celebration with Family and Friends again or go a on a really beautiful honeymoon to some place really special and also your marriage is everyday the Wedding was for one day!!!!! Celebrate life together ,also people should stop allowing others to dictate there union together every couple has a right to plan that special day as they see fit praise God for your wisdom God bless you both tremendously!!!!!



  2. Verbema on 17 May 2017 at 10:02 am

    Wow! Thank you for sharing….



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 10:04 am

      very welcome 🙂



  3. Nashieka on 17 May 2017 at 10:06 am

    My husband and I did the same thing. $325 for a small beach wedding with our family. We have never regretted that decision. #8yearsstrong



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 10:15 am

      love that!



  4. alexa on 17 May 2017 at 10:17 am

    I enjoy reading your post..



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 10:18 am

      thank you!



  5. Doug Wilson on 17 May 2017 at 10:39 am

    Simple but yet so profound!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 10:41 am

      thank you!



  6. Ama on 17 May 2017 at 10:59 am

    #wisdom It makes no sense to get into debt for one day and impress people (most of whom you probably aren’t close to. Lol). Sound advise whether you make little or a lot.



  7. Elizabeth on 17 May 2017 at 11:00 am

    I totally agree 🙂 thank you prophetess Amanda !!!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:05 am

      welcome:)



  8. Sophia Rodriguez on 17 May 2017 at 11:03 am

    This was so encouraging and helpful! My husband and I had a more modest wedding you could say, and for sometime I felt bad that it wasn’t “bigger and better”. But like you said a wedding is for a day but the marriage is much longer! I’m grateful looking back we didn’t spend so much on our wedding! Thank you for this post!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:06 am

      that’s awesome and welcome! 🙂



  9. Monica Gary on 17 May 2017 at 11:10 am

    Hey Mrs. Amanda! Good Information!



  10. Lafaydra Watt on 17 May 2017 at 11:14 am

    I looooove this. If you weren’t speaking to anyone else you were speaking to me. Lord I thank you for your servant to us. And Mrs. Amanda, I thank you for being obedient to the calling God put on your life. May God continue to flourish your ministry and bless your heart with all you want!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:20 am

      awwww thank you ! 🙂



  11. Tochi on 17 May 2017 at 11:20 am

    AMAZING, LOOK AT YOU GUYS NOW, GOD IS GREAT, THANK YOU THANK YOU



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:22 am

      thank you 🙂



  12. Jasmine on 17 May 2017 at 11:27 am

    We did something similar. We had just closed on our first home so we decided to get married at a small chapel in GA instead of a huge wedding in Va. Our family was a bit disappointed but looking back it was the right thing to do. This Saturday we will be celebrating 12 years of marriage.



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:31 am

      awesome! congrats on 12 years!



  13. TARA M GUMBS on 17 May 2017 at 11:31 am

    Make so much sense. Awesome!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:31 am

      thank you 🙂



  14. Betty Sayles on 17 May 2017 at 11:37 am

    Absolutely Sensible, Pratical & Loving. ?????!!!!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 11:44 am

      amen thank you! 🙂



  15. JoAnn on 17 May 2017 at 1:22 pm

    Words of wisdom. Thank you



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 3:14 pm

      welcome!



  16. Tony L. on 17 May 2017 at 1:56 pm

    This was an excellent read and very helpful!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 3:15 pm

      awesome!



  17. Kae on 17 May 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Definitely based on wisdom. Love the post!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 3:15 pm

      glad to hear 🙂



  18. Miatta Gul on 17 May 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Yesssss. This is on point. I’ve seen many couples blow their money on their wedding and have to work extra hard just to get out of the debt they created for that one day!!! The wedding is only one day, marriage is forever. Why start your marriage with debt? Even if you have the means to spend lavishly, use wisdom. You’re building a life together not a day together.



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 5:13 pm

      amen!



  19. Pamela Dobson on 17 May 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Blessings my Periscope/Facebook daughter, I also married 06-07-14 on a shoe string budget, I used a white dress I already had, this was a new marriage and I wore white because of the purity that God brought in the union, I and hubby married previously and I was 62 so we had a house wedding at our home, only 20 responded they were coming, so we set the living room with folding chairs etc….Ready to walk out and they tell me I cannot do it in my house as the house was packed, over 50+ people came, I said move it to the front of the house and I walked out singing to hubby, friends provided food, it was the most spiritually, God blessed wedding every.
    You are such an transpiration to all women/married and single, old and young, I pray for you and hubby and those beautiful little girls, keep allowing God to use you and stay humble…Mama Pam
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGrwTOMUBWk My wedding on YouTube!



    • amandafergusonblog on 17 May 2017 at 5:14 pm

      thank you so much 🙂



  20. Annakay on 17 May 2017 at 10:04 pm

    I don’t have a husband yet but I have always imagined a simple wedding and an extravagant marriage. It is nice to know I am not the only weird one. Thanks for sharing.



  21. Vonda Simmons on 17 May 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!



  22. Grace Givens on 18 May 2017 at 12:03 pm

    It was amazing!



    • amandafergusonblog on 18 May 2017 at 4:50 pm

      thanks for singing sis! 🙂



  23. Amber Enloe on 18 May 2017 at 12:15 pm

    My husband and I did the same thing. We Spent about $300 on the wedding including rings, food, etc. We got married on the 4th of July in my MIL backyard. She has a 4th of July party every year so we chose that time to do it and I made all the decorations DIY. It was nice…The first two years have been a struggle due to family interference but we are growing stronger and stronger together now that we shut out the noise. I’d like to renew our vows next year with just he and I on a 3rd Anniversary Get -a-way with just he and I or at Church or a weekend to Remember from Family Life. We are definitely living through the for poorer phase but we are sticking together through it. Our marriage is already getting stronger. I’m trusting God to do His work in our lives to build the character that is destined for us and our marriage and future family.



  24. Mildred A Hood on 18 May 2017 at 8:34 pm

    hi Amanda I enjoy all your blogs you are a very wise women of god I very much look forward to meeting you one day soon at one of your encounters I know this sounds crazy but one day I hope to remarry I was divorced a very long time ago and I really didn’t know what I now know about marriage you have taught me a lots even through I am 68 years old I realize a person never stop learning lol so I love to marriage again this time with a holy ghost spirit filled man that love god that will love me for who I am he has to have some money lol and love god with all his heart so please believe god with me for that okay I am tired of being along and want to share my life with someone thank you for praying and many blessing coming your way in Jesus name Amen !!



  25. april johnson on 19 May 2017 at 9:49 pm

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom is a blessing to many women young and old. As I read your blog I was reminded of a story of a couple who spent 60,000 on a wedding.(all the red flags were flashing they ignored wise counsel) a year later they divorced. I have a friend who married at their parent’s house and almost 20 years later they are happily married. Wisdom indeed is the principle thing blessing!



  26. Norma on 23 May 2017 at 12:41 pm

    Beautiful



  27. Taressa Harris on 23 May 2017 at 7:32 pm

    Yes I couldnt agree more with this me and my husband spent $72 on his tux rental, I bought my dress veil and tiara from a Chinese shop in the mall total $110 and we got married in Branson, MO in a little chapel that included pictures the minister and the decorations bouquet plus bridal suite for $220 that was on 9/13/03 we are still married 14years ??? we got our rings from a mom and pop jeweler on clearance and they are beautiful we renewed our vows in year 10 i did everything myself wedding, reception and ring upgrade and 8 night cruise total $1600 for everything. I call myself #frugalfran i have champagne taste but i can get it done on a soda pop budget AND IT STILL LOOK LIKE CHAMPAGNE



    • Takiya on 2 Jan 2018 at 4:58 pm

      Wow!! That’s awesome and very insightful! Sounds like a good budget still being able to enjoy! ?



  28. Yakira on 24 May 2017 at 5:25 pm

    That’s awesome! I planned to do the same when I get married I found a free botanical garden and gonna do it there. And I wanted it to be less than $1000… No way in hell I wanna spent over $1000 wedding. I love your story!!!!



  29. Meliza on 24 May 2017 at 7:31 pm

    I love it!



  30. Christina Acosta-Martinez on 25 May 2017 at 3:28 pm

    Sometimes I wish I had done this! Blessings to you and your hubby and congrats on your business growth.



  31. Donovan on 26 May 2017 at 5:13 am

    Wish I could attend but my fiancé and I live in China. Great article and very informative, honest, and just too DAMN real! We plan on following in your footsteps and wish you many more years of marital bliss.



  32. Clarisse on 26 May 2017 at 7:36 pm

    Ditto. In the same year we got married, bought our home and had our first child. We had several extended family members and some coworkers and friends upset, but, like you said, our marriage was much more important than our wedding. My dress cost $39! I did insist on a traditional cake and bouquet, but we kept everything under $500. It was so much fun and the memories continue to put a smile on my face. This year marks 12 years and I am still madly in love with my husband, who is also one of my dearest friends.



  33. Shawn Mitchell on 27 May 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Love it! Great inspiration for women who are struggling with the thoughts of trying to live up to someone else’s expectations for her day, women who know they really don’t have the finances, or just women who just need to understand and know the importance of building and planning for the marriage instead of a wedding day. GOOD READ ?



  34. Hadassah on 6 Jun 2017 at 11:48 pm

    Whewww, this post is a blessing! I wish more couples would have this mindset and see the bigger picture. Unfortunately, everyone wants to be the next trending #hashtag! God bless you, Lady Amanda!



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