Newbie going through finger lakes venue sticker shock

whereismymind32

After touring over 20 different venues from Canandaigua to Cayuga Lakes, we're having a budget crisis. Is our dream of having a 150 guest wedding for $15,000 a pipe dream? Is anyone else working under this kind of budget constraint?

crystaldes1029

Do you mean 15K total as in the entire wedding or 15K just for venue and food? We had 150 people and yea 15K won't cut it.

kevinandmonica2011

It is do-able to serve 150 guests anywhere for 15K, but you will have to make some sacrifices.
I would suggest checking into state and local parks.  Consider a Friday night vs Saturday (everything from venue to DJ to photographer to limo...EVERYTHING is cheaper on a Friday)... or even a Saturday brunch/afternoon (this limits the booze which always cuts the price drastically).
If you are looking to have it at one of the higher end venues (a vineyard or castle).. 15K... umm... no.  You will be lucky if you can get out of there with just food and drinks and venue rental for 15K.  Also, keep in mind, most of the more premier venues have a minimum that you have to spend for a Saturday evening wedding (ex, Glenora during prime season on a Saturday is $10K minimum)
But if you are willing to compromise on the venue and food, you can save a lot of money.
Lastly, the quickest way to cut $ is to cut the guest list.  Believe me, I know it's hard... I was not able to do it... so we had to find a way to come up with the extra $$, which was hard, but I did not want to leave anyone out.

You have to prioritize... if you know 15K is your budget and you are not willing/able to budge on that, the question is this:
Do you want to treat 150 people to a lower priced venue/food or do you want to treat less people to a more expensive venue/food.
Tough call and there is no right answer, but it 's something you and your Fi will have to figure out together then go from there.
Good luck!

Oksana+Jay

My FI's brother had a weding off-seson on Sunday and saved a lot of money. Is your day set in stone?

emierose

I agree with Monica (is this a theme or what?) You need to sacrifice somewhere to make that happen.
EIther choose an alternate day of the week - Friday afternoon or Sunday brunch to save money, cut your guest list, or if you refuse to do either then you need to choose do less of a "meal" and more of an appetizer and finger food reception, or else cut the bar.
My ceremony and reception are at Steamboat Landing in Canandaigua, and it is on a Saturday night, so the minimum was $8,000. We went well over, because we are going with the Onnalinda Buffet Package plus a Prime Rib carving station and some hand passed appetizer add-ons, however you could make your own a-la-carte menu of doing a buffet with 2 meal options, bring in your own wine (just pay a corking fee), not offer any other bar, and then just do cold appetizers and keep it to the 8k or move it to a Sunday or Saturday and do it for less.

whereismymind32

I think I'm coming to the realization that I have high-end taste and a low-end budget. I just can't see myself getting married in a firehall with a bingo board in the background or a windowless hotel conference room. We took a hard look at our guest list and cut it down to 120 or 108 if only the bridal party can bring a plus one. We also want a Saturday because about 80% of our guests will be coming from out of town since both our families live in other states.We also looked at parks/b&b's but by the time you add up the tent and rentals plus off-site catering, it's nearly as much as an established venue.  We're reevaluating our priorities, but we want good food, a location with character, a live band, and evening dancing and drinking. It looks like we'll be digging a little deeper...

emierose

Hmm, if you cut it down to that amount, then I suggest you check out Steamboat, if you haven't already, its gorgeous! right on the lake in Canandaigua, and as I said the minumum is 8k on a Sat., so you could probably make due with a 16,000 budget if you are careful with your other vendors. (for ex, work with a photog who will do a disc only package to save $ which is what we did!)

kevinandmonica2011

Like Emie said (definitely a theme here lol)... there are ways to cut other places in order to snag the venue you want.
We are doing all of our own flowers for the ceremony (saving about $500-600)
NO flowers for centerpieces... did all DIY stuff for less than $100 (saves anywhere up to $500-1000 or more by not having floral centerpieces)
We are doing the photography package with a CD only, like Emie said and saving a few hundred there too.
Going with the organist and cantor that the church provide (another $500-700 less)
I looked for months online to try to purchase my gown from another bride.  Couldn't find the one I was looking for (still bummed) so I had to break down and order it, btu if I could have bought it used, I would have saved another $500.
Bought my shoes off ebay for $20 as well as lots of other ceremony/reception items for waaaay cheaper.
DIY invites for $60 (saved about $150)

Between cutting the guest list to 120 and cutting in other places, you can certainly make it work, but you will really have to cut in other places.
You are on the right path, evaluate your priorities... seperate absolutely MUST have, kind of want and could live without... then go from there.

kevinandmonica2011

**Also- beer/wine only bar instead of full will save you a bunch.
You can add a "signature drink" or two for people who can't live without liquor, but beer/wine only will probably save a few hundred too.

DondadaTimes2

I have a 175 guest list for 10K. Its not easy but very do-able. For drinks we are able to buy a keg and once that is tapped its cash bar (half our families dont drink so actually paying for a bar was a ridiculous option for us). Our centerpieces are borrowed and Michaels coupons are used very heavily for what we cant borrow. No favors. Cupcakes instead of cake. Bouquets are all roses and out florist ordered them in bulk to save us $$. Our RB pillow/FG baskets are homemade and invites are from Michaels.

I have expensive taste too, but need to remind myself that its more important to have the people I want there to celebrate with me and have a good time. Most people wont remember every little expensive detail.

crystaldes1029

The ladies bring up some very good points. Also borrow borrow borrow. I reused centerpieces from my cousins wedding 2 years ago. No one remembers the small details like napkins, linens, centerpieces or even favors so give all that stuff little to no attention. My parents wanted good food or no wedding so our food & booze bill (open bar for 4 hours) was huge. Although, I cut all the stupid little stuff and saved thousands on getting rid of it.

The night comes and goes people just mingle, eat and dance. Focus on those.

smclardy

100% percent of my guests are coming from out of town.  I choose a Sunday with Monday being a holiday and still got the Sunday minimum(half of what Sat. cost).  I know not every place will do this. But it could save you alot and still give guest travel time.