It depends on who you know and what you can do yourself.
I had a simple courthouse wedding both times. My sister, though, wanted a "fancy" wedding.
She was able to have the ceremony in the church she attended and use their place for the reception, all pretty cheap. All the formal wear was rented save for one bridesmaid that decided to buy hers for herself: She was using the same dress for another formal event. I personally made the cake, though my sister paid for supplies (that was my wedding gift). My mother did most of the simple decorating.
The reception was mid-afternoon, between lunch and dinner. No food beyond cake and non-alcoholic drinks were served.
It was a Sam's club hamburger, but hotdogs were also available. No, I'm not kidding. The wedding was in a friend's backyard with folding chairs and tables borrowed from a church. The cake was made by a friend of a friend for about half the going rate, but we also bought a couple dozen gluten-free cupcakes. We tried to pay the cooks but they refused; the musician was family, and the officiant and the sound guy (for the dance music) were personal friends and didn't charge. It was nearly a regular BYOB backyard party but with better decorations.
Honestly I'd prefer that over the expensive yet awful food I've had at weddings. They charge expensive restaurant prices but all the food has to be made in bulk to serve at once so you're not getting expensive restaurant quality.
I had a simple courthouse wedding both times. My sister, though, wanted a "fancy" wedding.
She was able to have the ceremony in the church she attended and use their place for the reception, all pretty cheap. All the formal wear was rented save for one bridesmaid that decided to buy hers for herself: She was using the same dress for another formal event. I personally made the cake, though my sister paid for supplies (that was my wedding gift). My mother did most of the simple decorating.
The reception was mid-afternoon, between lunch and dinner. No food beyond cake and non-alcoholic drinks were served.