$5000 Budget

sparklygoofan

My fiance and I are trying to plan a wedding for November 2011.  We have about $5500 for the whole thing - dress, invitations, food, location, etc.  We will have no more than 50 guests and we plan to make cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, we want something pretty but casual for the whole event.  I would like to have the ceremony and reception in the same location.

Does anyone else have a similar budget?  We need ideas for a location that we can actually afford!  We live in McDonough and can do any location around middle GA.  We don't have any friends who are caterers or photographers so we really need to pay for everything and I'm just not sure where to start, you know?  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

pokepoke27

First off - keep a look out for DIY stuff on here. But remember DIY does NOT always mean cheaper!
There is a place called Rosabelle Manor in Adairsville, and I don't know how far away from McDonough that is. But there are some good packages for low prices.
 
This one is the Southern Belle for $2900 package which includes:
Facility for 5 hours on the day
Ceremony w/ white chairs
Reception w/ 4 tables, 32 chairs, and white floor-length table cloths
DJ for 2.5 hours during the reception and for ceremony music
Photographer for 3.5 horus with proof cd and copyright release
A florist which provides bouquets for you and 3 bridesmaids, 6 boutonierres for the groom, groomsmen, and fathers, 2 mother's corsages, and flower girls petals
And a 3 tier stacked wedding cake.
Because there is no food, there is no alcohol allowed (only champagne toast).
BUT!
For an extra $300 you can bring your own food, add your own alcohol if you want it (they don't provide alcohol at any level) and you get included: 1 extra hour at the facility, and extra hour with the DJ and 2 extra reception tables.

You can go to their website and request information and they'll send you all the packages themselves.
Hope it helps : )

SoHappyToBeMrsC

I would look into the Douglasville Conference Center. It's really pretty, affordable, and has an outdoor area for the ceremony, but you can also have it inside if it rains.

bloatedelm

on the 24th I'm getting married at the Stanley House in Marietta- it's [retty in expensive and you can add and take out what you want.  it was about 5500 - this includes flowers, cake, dj, food, officiate, wedding planner.  I'd say it's pretty reasonable.

eagles347

I don't know much about venues for that budget, but I would recommend that you contact Rebecca Bunch about photography if you'd like to leave more flexibility in your budget for other things. Several other knotties are using her and she is apparently only $500 for quality work. Please google her unless someone else has her website address.

sparklygoofan

Thanks for all the helpful tips, I'll definitely check out that venue Southern Belle!  And the photographer, she sounds amazingly reasonable!  Any more ideas, please keep them coming!

Has anyone gotten married at Callaway Gardens?  They have a gorgeous chapel there but they are pretty pricey, just curious!

gardenlady11

I haven't booked my photographer yet, but I was looking at Premier Wedding Group. http://chrisbrock.org. The prices are reasonable for everything you get. I am still looking around since I have awhile for my wedding. But Chris is taking my e-pics. So that is a trial run for my fiance and I. We just want to make sure we get along great with the photographer we book! I wish I could help you with everything else, but I am still in the planning process like you! Good luck with everything!

CassidiA

Hello. I'm getting married on June 19,2011. My budget is 5000 for everything too. I got off easy finding a dress for 300.00 on-line, but the venue is the hardest to find. I looked into some beach packeges and found some on Tybee in Savannah for between 2500 and 4000 through Google. We only plan on having at the most 50 ppl. I tried to find nice outdoor venues in Atlanta where we live but they were all way to expensive. We want it to be intimate and small so we thought about renting out a small resturant/lounge for the reception. I love the resturant idea because we wouldn't have to clean and pay waiters but I am ify about it because I want to dance with my husband! But maybe we can help each other with ideas! I have my 2 best friends helping me plan so I saved money on a planner. Also try looking into magazines. Barnes and Nobels has a section with local Bridal Magazines. I hope this was helpful.

Galvanwed

Hi, our budget is also in the 5000 rsnge, I have been searching for a venue that is not cookie cutter but, I'm having a VERY hard time, maybe we can help each other out as well. I know of a florist in Buckhead that has a $250 wedding package.  I don't remember the name but, it is on Howell Mill Rd. I haven't used him but, have heard about him from my employer she said her daughter used them for her wedding and everything was great but, we are making our own bouquets and arrangements with the help of our planner who is helping with most of the planning but, we are searching for the venue. She is Sara from Little Girl's Big Dream

ljones336

You can check a place in Jonesboro called The Banquet Hall. They are running some good specials for events next year and have packages that include everything.  It looks like a pretty nice place that won't require a lot of work and has room for both there.