My parents paid for ours despite the fact that were were both mid-30s, primarily because we were already legally married (officiated by a friend at my workplace), and my mother was Not Pleased that she hadn't been there. We didn't intend to have a "real" wedding, so we let her pay for "her" wedding. She did all the planning and most of the picking out of things, but that was my choice; I didn't have the time to spare then, one reason for the unannounced legal marriage in the first place.
I don't know the exact cost, but I know the whole wedding was under $1,000. We were married at a state park, a free venue that was absolutely gorgeous, up on a cliff at an overlook. I did fine my dress, $16 (half price day at Goodwill), plus nearly $100 to have it cleaned and hemmed. Pictures were a gift from a photographer cousin, and the officiant there was a different friend. I'd wanted to pick my own wildflowers, but Mom had a bouquet made up at a local florists'. That was probably the biggest single expense. The cake was from a bakery, but my artist brother made the topper. The reception was also in the park, cake and finger foods my mother and sister-in-law made, plus a watermelon we picked up at a roadside stand on impulse the day of. Decorations were borrowed, mostly, supplemented with items from the dollar store like plastic champagne glasses. I made my garter. We rented my husband's tux for nearly $200, so come to think of it, that was probably the biggest single expense. My mother helped me do my hair and makeup in the campground at the state park (where we'd all stayed the night before).
It was a beautiful day, and now I'm really glad we did it because all our family and friends came, and the photos are beautiful.