Budget nightmare

kayla.dubchansky

Hey ladies. I am from NorCal, currently living in Reno but we're planning to have a June 2010 wedding in NorCal.I've hit some serious budget issues. we're trying to keep our budget to $5,000 but all these places I've been looking at are a mess. They either charge you a "decent" rate for the facility but insist you use their caterer who wants $30 a plate but they have everything you need.Or, I found places that don't provide tables, chairs, linens or anything so I have to get all of that myself.It seems like I'l be spending about $3,500 on the reception and food alone, that barely leaves me anything else. What do I do?

jackelbride

How many people are you inviting? And why are you coming to the bay area for your wedding? Is your family over here? Reno is way less expensive!

kayla.dubchansky

I'm saying about 100 people, but it looks like it'll be closer to 125. My fiance and I don't like Reno and I'm from Sacramento, so we're looking at the Sacramento area, not the Bay Area, I should've specified that earlier.

legaleagles

I'm confused are you trying to budget your entire wedding for 125 people to just $5000 or just the venue rental costs? I think $5k for everything in the bay area is going to be EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible. It is very expensive to feed 125 people.I would start by inquiring about weekdays or Friday or Sundays instead of saturdays. You could also do a short cocktail hour only reception with no dinner. Do brunch or lunch instead?

kayla.dubchansky

$5k for the entire wedding. I know it's small, but it's very neccessary.I've looked at Fridays and Sundays, however his entire family lives on the East Coast so travel arrangements might be difficult. They would have to leave quickly after the wedding Sunday, or take extra time off work on Friday.

BrennaGwyn

Have you tried the Delta King? I am having my wedding and reception there and they seem pretty well priced.... especially because they have so many deals they are running right now. They may be willing to work with you. I would ask them to cut a deal for you as everyone is doing the right now with the economy like it is... maybe they can help... they can also save you costs on the actual ceremony by having it there. Just a thought

lfritos

I certainly think you have your work cut out for you. In Cali, that is hard. But it is doable if you have the right resources. My good friend did it in Grass Valley. She had her ceremony at the state park up there, for a minimal fee, and then used the fairgrounds for the reception. She had friends cook the meal, a make the cake, and did the flowers herself. You never would have know that it was on such a tight budget, but they did ton of stuff themselves. Wish you luck!

jackelbride

If you want a Saturday wedding with a full meal for 125... you are not going to get it for $5k without a lot of work!Like the PP said, if you have people make your cakes and help you with crafts & flowers you might be able to pull it off. And cut out alcohol completely.Otherwise, you might be able to pull off a bbq at a park facility in the bay area... or check out a local Elk's lodge.

cromero49

I may be a pessimist but I'm going to say you won't be able to have a wedding for 5k for that many people unless you go out into the sticks and even then it will be extremely tough.  You would need to DIY everything.  My  advice is to either cut your guest list way down or save more money!

cromero49

Ok, here is my optimist attempt: have your wedding at a park that either charges no or a minimal fee.  DIY just about everything and have a heavy appetizer reception in the middle of the week.  Maybe that way you only have to rent chairs and bar type tables that people stand at, not sit.  Cut out alcohol and unnecessary flowers and decorations.  Use an ipod instead of a dj.  Have people RSVP online so you save on postage.  Buy your dress when David's has that $100 sale.  Have a friend become an officiant online so you save money on that.  Have a super small bridal party - think MOH and BM only.  Hire somebody on craigslist or a friend to take pictures.

knina

I would look at have the wedding at capital park or somewhere along the line of a park and look for a hall reception or ever a park with a large picnic area that can be rented out.

samp42

You might be able to get away with it by having it at Mckinely park and the reception inside their rec room.  Or you could look at the Dante Club in sacramento they are pretty reasonable.

sm23

I agree with most of what has already been said... $5K weddings in California are tough, even in the Sacramento area. It's not impossible, but it takes a lot of compromise. I think you are going to have to make some concessions on either the size of the wedding, the quality of the food/dress/flowers/etc., or the day/date of the wedding. If none of those are negotiable for you, I recommend a long engagement and saving some more money. My FI and I had a 16 month engagement for budgetary and other reasons; there are plenty of other people on this board who've had long engagements as well. It's not that bad.

ssmb_clarinet

Look into McKinley Park Rose Gardens and the Clunie Community Center. The cost for booking my ceremony and reception was $1500, and $450 of that is a deposit that I get back. Of course that is without food/drinks, but that leaves you with $3500 to work with for all the other stuff. It's an idea! Good luck!

KH1123

I'd say start looking at all the local park & rec facilities, as the $5,000 budget won't allow you to pick a typical wedding venue for that many people.  Or maybe see if you know of anyone with a large enough backyard for the wedding. Check out Finn Hall in Rocklin. Then I'd look into the park & rec facilities in the following cities: Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, West Sacramento, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks.  Or the local Elks Lodge type place.  Those all usually have tables and chairs to use.  The parks & rec places usually let you bring in your own food and drinks.  You will probably need to look for a caterer that isn't so well known in town to get a good deal (like someone on Craigslist) or serve something like bbq.  For the number of guests though, appetizers only may be your best bet.  Then just buy some flowers at Costco for your bouquet and everything else DIY too.  I think that I would definitely cut the guest list in half.  It is going to be a difficult thing to do with the current budget.  Good luck.

myoctwedding09

I tried sticking with $5000 for 75 guests in Sacramento.  As of today, I am at $7500 and still needs to get a DJ.It's really really hard.  As you list out all the things you need, there are really tons of stuff to make the day complete.  What month are you getting married?  Cause that really matters too.  Popular months, the venues are less likely to give you a break!

anglyn

Micke Grove Japanese Garden and Memorial Auditorium is pretty cheap if you don't mind driving to Lodihttp://mgzoo.com/rental-facilities/japanese-garden.htmhttp://mgzoo.com/rental-facilities/memorial-auditorium.htm

stephaniesuch

If you're looking for a photographer that's really resonable and takes amazing photos you should look into Denné Alise Photography. She took our photos for our engagement session and we are looking forward to our wedding. you can email her at dennealise@yahoo.com She has some photos posted on this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/21419400@N02/ of various photoshoots she has done but unfortunetly her main website is currently under constructions so you aren't able to see all of her amazing work! I can tell you that I myself am on a tight budget and was really stressed about finding a affordable photographer (especially since that's one of the few things you'll have after your wedding to remember it) but Denne is so sweet and fun to work with and was able to really work with my budget!

littleseamonkey

Try Crawford's Barn in Sacramento (http://www.crawfordsbarn.org/) or Old St. Mary's Chapel in Rocklin http://www.clarkcorona.com/stmarys/. Both are pretty affordable. Crawford's Barn will require you to rent linens, etc. and is, well, a retrofitted barn but it has some charm to it. Old St. Mary's is going through some add-ons right now, including a patio with an arbor, etc. By the time you marry the renovations may be finished (they're exterior renovations)Also, Costco can custom order a variety of flowers and have them shipped to a nearby store for you, so if you DIY you can save a lot there. Just ask for the person in the floral department to assist you in getting what you want.

squirrellystar

I would look into Mickey's Grove in Lodi and the Women's club for a reception venue. A friend of mine is a photographer and is just starting out but takes some AWESOME pics! She would probably do it for a minimal price. www.kduffyphoto.com Good luck!

leasavio

Send me an email and we can talk   I have been planning my own budget wedding and have recently done hair and makeup for 2 weddings with a tighter budget then you!  I can give you some good ideas and the brides email addresses