I cannot believe how expensive venues are! What to do?

adawn1981 · January 2012

How did you/ are you getting around this or are you just paying thousands of dollars for the venue alone and on top of that the food/flowers/dj/everything else? I never knew that it would be this stressful just trying to find a place. They are sooooo expensive. I am worried that we won't even be able to afford a wedding on $5K which I thought would be plenty. I already don't like the idea of spending $5K on one day! What's a stressed girl on a budget to do- better yet, where is she to get married?

jemmini6 · January 2012

It's definitely possible to do a wedding on $5K, but you have to have realistic expectations of what things cost. For example, you won't get a country club wedding with 5 course meal of filet mignon and lobster tail and open bar for $5K, but you could easily have a nice wedding in a reception hall with an Italian buffet or something. You should check out the budget board, a lot of those women are doing exactly that and their weddings look great!

skidevil89 · January 2012

I think you can definitely do a wedding on 5k you're just going to have to put a little more work into researching venues and vendors.

You might want to start by looking at non-traditional wedding venues. Whatever city you want to get married in likely has some city owned banquet halls or facilities that you can rent for less than a typical banquet hall or reception site. The Ahwatukee Recreation Center quoted me $1500 for a reception of 100 to 150 people. This only included the facility rental. The City of Tempe has the Hackett House and Hatton Hall that can be rented. The Tempe Center for the Arts is gorgeous and you can rent out individual rooms.

Some other options might be smaller restaurants or golf courses. Dobson's Restaurant quoted $750 which included facility rental, chairs, tables, linens, china, cake cutting, and bartender. Shalimar golf course was also pretty reasonable.

You just have to try to think outside the box when looking for a venue . You could even have it at a park or in a backyard. Other ways to cut costs are to have your wedding on a weekday or during an off season. You could also have a later wedding and serve apps and dessert instead of a full meal.

jmleejohnson · January 2012

I was having the exact same issue!!! I finally was searching at American Legions and etc etc. Anywho, we found the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, its on Power and Brown and it has a multipurpose room, its wonderful man, really cute place, they have an outside patio and they include tables and chairs! Definitely keep looking though, let me know what you all come up with!

NewBride59 · January 2012

Often you can rent halls from the Masons or Elks - grown up fraternities. You can also rent halls at churches, or have your reception at a park. Call the Parks and Rec in your area to find out about reserving the area. One park in my area has a secluded area with a gate that can be reserved for weddings with minimal fee - I think a couple hundred bucks. Good luck!

adawn1981 · January 2012

these are good ideas! I was hoping to go the all inclusive route, but I may not be able to afford to. I am liking the Dobson's idea, that seems to have alot included plus teh food would be right there, I wouldn;t have to worry about catering! Can you bring a dj and photographer in there? Can you have a ceremony there?

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freshstartaz · February 2012

There are places to have a wedding on 5 K if you play your cards right. For instance the Wyndam Suites Hotel and Confrence center has a beautiful set up and fantastic service and catering. OK so its not in Fountain Hills or Scottsdale !

We had clients who do it all the time. They are wizards with thier money and talents and pull off a big wedding with low $. If you get happily hitched and have a great time at your reception, your pics look awsome who cares that you don't serve lobster ?

#1 remember if you have your wedding on a weeknight you can save about 75 percent. Its also a good way to cut down your guest list.

#2 Skipping the alchol can save you money.

#3 You need to be happy not all of your friends who aren't paying for the wedding.

#4 Skip an extravagant wedding and go on a fantastic honeymoon.

#5 check out our blog on economical weddings at http://affordableweddingminister.com

091109brIANna033013 · February 2012

The Landmark Restaurant has no fee for using the venue, and they have different areas to accomodate the size of your guest list. They provide the food, drinks, tables, chairs, and can also provide the decorations. The Heritage Hall has a minium food/drink cost of $3000, but the use of the venue and furniture is no extra cost.

I cannot believe how expensive venues are! What to do?

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