A U.K. couple recently ditched the fine wine, expensive flowers and lavish dinner reception in favour of a McWedding.
The Golden Arches served as a quick and serviceable backdrop for Ellie, 26, and Alex, 27, as the cost-conscious newlyweds put a ribbon on their memorable day by feasting on cheeseburgers at McDonald’s.
The pair had initially wanted a traditional wedding, but they crunched the numbers and figured out it was going to cost them more than $10,000, the New York Postreported.
The U.K. couple decided to pivot. They alerted family, found the required two witnesses and headed down to the marriage bureau near their home. That pared-down ceremony cost about $70.
“We couldn’t justify spending $25,000 to $25,000 on one day,” Ellie said, per the Post. “It’s ridiculous. I just wanted to get married.”
Ellie wore a long, white gown – it cost her $300 – to the registrar’s. Alex, who is a soccer play, bought a suit for about $200.
In all, they spent about $500 on their nuptials, including fast food.
The money they saved will go toward a pair of honeymoons – a “mini-moon” to Paris and a week in Dubai later this spring, Ellie said.
They are also eager to put the savings toward the purchase of a home.
They said they have no regrets.
“We looked at venues and we were being quoted thousands and then our guests would have had to book rooms on top of that. There were other things we needed,” Ellie said.
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“We thought if we didn’t just do it, then we never would, so we got married in a registry office with my (mother) and Alex’s brother. Afterwards, I was starving so we went to McDonald’s,” she added.
“It was an amazing day. It completely took the pressure off. We didn’t feel like we had to impress people,” Ellie said.
Someone involved in the wedding did splurge for $100 worth of flowers, while a friend did Ellie’s hair and the parents of the bride and groom contributed about $700 for a modest party that included a casual buffet and a DJ with 20 of the couple’s closest friends and family.
The groom’s brother served as photographer and someone brought disposable cameras and handed them out to guests.