My marriage 30 years ago might be one of the cheapest celebrations on record, but it was so sweet and joyful.
We got married in a fig orchard in southern CA, asked about 3 dozen good friends to bring a potluck delight and favorite music, but no gifts (didn't need stuff or have a place to put it), I picked wildflowers on the way there for spectacular arrangements (I've arranged flowers forever for friends), and we provided drinks, soft and hard. I had designed invites and programs, and a friend volunteered to photograph. I made wedding vests for my beloved and M., and we wore them with jeans.
We had a Quaker ceremony with the clerk of the local meeting officiating/signing documents. In Quaker fashion, we did not exchange rings. (I have in recent years chosen a triplet of delicate rose-gold bands that are meaningful to M.; husb still doesn't like to wear jewelry.)
Everyone came dressed in comfortable, festive clothing, and we ate, danced and celebrated for hours. My best girlfriend had serious doubts about our plans, but agreed with guests later that it was the happiest, most relaxed and spirited wedding they had ever attended.
I don't know whether anyone else can use any of these ideas. But total cost to us AND guests for their contributions were easily under $300 total (might cost twice that today). My memories of that day are priceless.
My daughter got married with all the trimmings, very high stress for everybody who contributed, and very expensive. But I expect she needed to impress her dad's side of the family, which includes some very wealthy people. I guess I'm pretty geeky, because I don't see the point. The wedding is for the bride and groom first and foremost. What will make you happy? That's where your greatest focus, planning and expenditure should be.