My wedding cost maybe $2k. We paid for most of it, but my in-laws donated $1000 to help.
Material for my dress was about $120 total and I made it myself.
My hubby's tux was free because we had 5 other rentals.
We had the ceremony and the reception at a local park, for a $200 rental fee.
We had a paper hors de'ouvres service because there was no way to wash or transport dishes. My cousins helped with serving cake and pouring beverages.
Total food cost was about $300 for pre-made meat and cheese plates and beverages from Sam's club. I had silk flowers and it was a good thing too, because the humidity would have wilted fresh ones. Plus it allowed me to get flowers not usually in season at the time (september 1). I put the bouquets together myself. Our cake was from Byerly's (upper-scale grocery store) and was $350 for a service of 100. We rented chairs for the ceremony for about $100, and a tent for $150 (good thing cuz it downpoured just after our kiss). We had my cousin burn CD's with various songs and i had him rig up my 3-disc stereo with speakers around the shelter. our photographer was about $350 including pics (amateur), and his wife offered to do our hair for free.
**forgot to add...our getaway 'limo' was my hubby's friend's new truck...2003 Chevy 2500 crew cab with all leather seats, dual exhaust, and all that stuff...It was such a nice ride.
after the reception (which ended at sunset per park rules) we all went to TGIfridays for a drink, and the wedding party got to drink for free.