We got engaged a little over a month ago, and have been venue searching ever since! We know we want outdoors - ceremony and reception. Small, intimate, rustic-y. Since half the guests are coming from out of country, we decided instead of getting married in our current city (Phoenix, AZ) we would head to San Diego - its close enough for the people from Phoenix, fun for the out of towners and I really have no desire to get married in AZ. We narrowed down our list and checked out our top 3 venues - all of which i LOVE. My main concern keeps coming back to space. Two of the venues are rather large and we are probably only going to have 30-35 people tops. Our 3rd choice - which I love- is a private home we'd rent out and stay at for the week and have a backyard wedding. The yard is kind of small, but the views are amazing. But holy, $$$! For the venue, accomodations, catering, dj, photography, officiant, decor, etc, etc - I keep coming out at around $12-14,000!!! And I feel like that's without any extras. For 30 people?! I feel like for that price, I could have a REAL destination wedding at a resort! But with a resort, the cost is going to be more expensive for the guests and probably cut down on our numbers (and the 30 is close family/friends we'd love to be there) - plus add in that we're both vegan and desire to have our own catering - a resort seems unrealistic.
Any advice is welcome! I'm beginning to feel frustrated!