Weddingbee boards

As I sit here writing this, I am waiting for the phone to ring to find out if my fiance will still have a job or not on Monday. He text me earlier letting me know that his company he works for is having a company meeting at 1pm. Things have been very slow and they are a very small company. He's not sure if he' even going to get a paycheck. Worst case scenario, the company is shutting down. At the very least, he thinks they may have a week or two shut down without pay. My fiance works in the office but in the last month has been doing his job and half a day running a machine in the plant. His hours/pay have been cut and his insurance has gone up. To top it all off, I've been unemployed since March.

All along, his parents and my dad have been helping to pay for the wedding. My dress is paid for and we have paid deposits for the hall, photographer, and DJ. We have no idea how we are going to pay for wedding bands or a new suit for my fiance. Not to mention centerpieces, favors, gifts for MOH, Best Man, and flower girls. At one point, members of both his family and mine have said they will cater the food and we'll hire someone to serve. A week or so ago, my FMIL decides to start looking into catering (she'll pay) because she is worried we won't be able to find someone to serve the food and do set up and cleanup.

So far, my fiance has been able (barely) to pay the mortgage, his car payment, his motorcycle payment (trying to sell the bike), the utilities, insurance, my engagement ring, and his credit card payment. I've been able to (barely) pay my car payment, my misc. credit card bills, my insurance, and we both chip in for groceries.Things are tight but manageable. There's no money for extra's and if we didn't have our parents help with the wedding, we'd be screwed.

At this point, I don't know what to do. Should we cancel the wedding? Just get married in his parents backyard and have no reception. Or should we just cancel the wedding and postpone it until next year sometime? Or should we quietly get married, cancel the wedding and maybe next year renew our vows and have a reception? Or talk to our parents and see if they still can continue to foot the bill? In the beginning, we had talked about having just a very small ceremony with just parents and siblings but both his parents and my dad where set on having a bigger wedding with family and friends. But at that point, we were both working and didn't think our parents would have to help out much. 

I'm torn, and I know I'm jumping the gun because I don't know what's going to happen. But I like to plan. And sitting here waiting is making me crazy.

I really want a wedding with friends and family and food and dancing and the dress. I'm probably going to come off as selfish because that's what I want. I have sacrificed a lot-lived with my parents when my moms health was bad and then for 5 years after to stay with my dad. I never went to my prom (was majorly shy and dorky in highschool). So for once in my life, I wanted this one moment to wear a pretty dress and have a big party with everyone I love. But I know in my heart the most important thing is that my fiance and I have committed our lives together and the details don't matter.

I'm on the fence because I want to be financial responsible but I also feel that in bad times like these, you have to find ways to celebrate and embrace life.

Any advice?

Thanks for your support everyone! Supposedly, Monday he still has a job but after that it's a toss up. And he did get a paycheck. A few guys were laid off and he thinks he's next on the chopping block but we'll see. We're going to talk more when he gets home and then I think the next step is to talk to our parents. But for now, we are going to relax and enjoy the holiday weekend. I will keep you all up to date as to what we decided. No matter what, I'm still hanging out around here for awhile! I told my fiance I don't care if we have to get rid of cable but we've got to keep our internet access!

Doctorgirl-The job market here in Ohio is horrible! He works in manufacturing, which isn't doing so hot these days. He's got a degree in Biology/Chemistry but after college couldn't find a job and ended up in manufacturing for over 10 years. At his current job, he's both the network/computer guy and he process the job sheets and orders materials. So he's kind of a jack of all trades. He just started working on his resume and doing so job hunting. We'd like to stay in Ohio because our families are here but we are at the point where if we have to move out of state to make a good living, we will. As for me, I'm a few classes short of an Administrave Assistant degree but I spent almost 10 years in banking. I also have some retail experience so we'll see. Something will turn up sooner or later.

*HUGS* I'm sorry that you're feeling so torn. And it's by no means selfish to want a big white wedding. It may not be PRACTICAL, though. What you may have to do is have a small legal ceremony now, and have a big party a couple years down the road. Of course you could try to swing it now, but it may not be possible.

It's good to hear that he did get his paycheque, though! Hopefully things will start to turn around for you both now. 

Well we've talked. And things are not good and he's not sure how much longer he's going to have a job. But we have decided to enjoy the holiday weekend with friends and family and not make any big decisions until Monday. Thanks again ladies for all your support. Weddinbee is the best.