We went with one engagement/wedding ring that was technically an anniversary ring. It was approximately $2,100 (in 1994) and was on "sale" at 40% off the "regular price." My wedding band is small and simple. It cost $120.
Finance Gal's wedding dress was $250 on clearance from the JC Penny catalogue along with a veil for $75.
Our ENTIRE wedding, reception (food for 150 guests), bridesmaid dresses, wedding dress, tux rental, pastor gift, photographer, flowers, etc. came to around $2,500 (in 1994). We kept it simple and focused on what was important to us. The cost was actually around $500 more than it would have needed to be because we chose to get married on a Sunday in order to accommodate a close friend that we wanted to be in the wedding party.
During the wedding planning, my father-in-law at one point offered us $5,000 to just elope, to which we immediately said OK. He then had a change of heart. I think he really wanted to see us have a normal service.
We were fortunate that we both had similar tastes and neither of us had a family pushing us to have an elaborate service. To this day, I think my wife and I would probably have done it even cheaper if planning it all again. She probably would have preferred to just wear a nice summer dress/evening gown, and I would have preferred to just wear a suit, not a tuxedo.
We married on campus in our college's chapel in mid-May. In hindsight, the weather that day was perfect, and we wish that we had held the service outside. This would have made it even easier to make the service even more casual.
Fifteen years later, looking back on that day, what really matters most to us is the people that shared the day with us. No one will remember the flowers, napkin colors, what was served at the reception, what songs were sung, who the photographer was, etc. The only thing people remember is who was there with them. I think that is the most important part of the wedding, and frankly, for us, that is what it was all about. Declaring our love and dedication in front of family and friends.