Couples shouldn't have to go into debt just to say "I do."

That's the simple philosophy of Chris Bateham, a local ordained minister and wedding officiant who has developed an affordable alternative to overblown wedding extravaganzas.

Through a partnership with the owners of Mirkwood and Shire Café in Arlington, Rev. Chris has founded Community Wedding Services, offering personalized wedding ceremonies for as little as $75.

To introduce the unique service, Bateham, along with owners Heather and Anthony Beck of Mirkwood, will hold a "Let's Say I Do" group wedding day on Sunday, July 26, at 1 p.m. For a $100 fee, couples can be part of a community wedding that's sure to be memorable and fun.

"We'd like to do a group wedding once a year," said Bateham. "This is a big experiment for us, but we think it will be a successful one."

Maybe you want your wedding to be a little more private without going bankrupt. Rev. Chris has the answer for that as well.

The "I Do" Vegas-style wedding is a simple, no-frills affair. Just walk in to the café, present your license, and get married. Don't have witnesses? No problem. Diners at the café can be recruited, or the cook and waitress will stand up with the happy couple. The wedding wardrobe can be a favorite pair of jeans or a vintage wedding dress. If Bateham is unavailable to perform the ceremony, Anthony Beck has also been ordained as a minister.

"For $75, a couple will be just as married as those who spend $50,000 on a wedding," said Bateham. "But they'll have a lot more fun without all the stress on their finances and their nerves."

Step up to the $180 package and the couple can schedule a private appointment with Bateham to discuss and personalize vows. The ceremony will include selected music, flowers, a dressing room and a wedding meal for the bride and groom.

At a reasonable $450, the Deluxe Wedding Package adds 20 meals for guests. Bateham can also recommend reasonably-priced vendors for photography, hair and makeup, or maybe a couple's Tarot reading.

The Mirkwood and Shire Café, located at 117 E. Division Street, is a charming venue filled with eclectic artwork and a free-spirited vibe. Known locally as "The Alamo" for its Spanish-style architecture and stucco exterior, the café's menu is strictly vegetarian.

The 110-year-old building had sat vacant and untended for 12 years until the young couple took it over in 2004.

"The roof had fallen in, and there were huge holes in the floor," said Heather Beck, a friendly young woman with an engaging personality. "Anthony and his dad did all the work inside in about a year."

The large building, formerly a Methodist Church and a Boys and Girls Club, now houses the Shire Café, Mirkwood Store, Rivendell Hair, Mordor Tattoo and Piercing, and other associated businesses. The café features live music by local artists each Friday and Saturday evening beginning at 7 p.m.

For Bateham, it's the perfect venue for her Community Wedding Service. "I always loved this building, and it fits the concept of an alternative wedding service so well," she said.

"Couples have to be smart about their finances, especially now," said Bateham. "And brides need to let go of that fairy tale Cinderella wedding. The biggest sources of tension in a marriage are money and children. Why start off with a mountain of debt for one day of your life?"

To find out more about the group wedding day or the other services provided by Rev. Chris Bateham, visit www.communityweddingservices.com or phone (425) 422-6488.

Learn more about Arlington's Mirkwood and Shire Café at www.mirkwoodshirecafe.com.