California-San Diego

Budget crisis!

Hi everyone, I was hoping for some help. My parents are paying for my wedding, but I would be planning everything and choosing what I would be paying for etc. Because I am very picky, and often have my mind set on things,  my parents and I have agreed to give them a possible number for a budget and they would give me the money and I could choose things accordingly. The problem is....I have no idea what a wedding costs in San Diego, especially in the summer (June). We will probably have less than 100 guests, and I would like to get an idea of what price, or cost to tell my parents....because they have no idea either, since they got married 25 years ago :) I am going to be utilizing a lot of DIY ideas I have found, and looking to save money wherever we can, we are looking to use the left over money to put a down payment on a house :)

Re: Budget crisis!

  • edited December 2011
    Hi!  I am in the process of planning my wedding for next June for about 100 people.  We are also trying to work on a budget.  We have found a venue with a low rental rate, and will allow us to bring in whatever caterer we want, and our own alcohol (which will save us a lot of money!).  But even with that, after we add in all the other costs, like flowers, dj, photographer, videoagrapher, dress, rehearsal dinner, ect it is still going to probably cost about 17-19k once we're all said and done.  Now of course, if you don't need all those extras (like a videoagrapher, flowers, ect) you could get the price down.  Check out Twin Oaks House and Gardens...they have an all inclusive pkg for very affordable...if it's the style you like.
  • sammymarshallsammymarshall member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hello,
    I can relate to your situation we are getting married in sd as well but I'm doing a lot of things myself the only thing were not getting is a videographer and our wedding will be a little under 10K if you include the honeymoon then 14K
    Hope this helps you.Smile
  • kkeltnerkkeltner member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am a DIY bride getting married on Sunday May 30.  We have 110 guests and are having an evening wedding.  With everything (and I mean postage, a flower girl basket to make myself, the paper to make escort cards, ribbon samples... everything) we are looking at a grand total of $22,000.  
  • edited December 2011
    June is prime wedding season down here. What I've been running into is that a lot of places either charge you for the room and then also for food, or have minimums that start at 7k (and that is the lowest I've seen for minimums), more like 10 to 15k. That said, it depends on where you go. I'd be happy to make some suggestions if you post more about the type of place and setting you are looking for. Goodness knows that I've looked at enough of them.
  • edited December 2011
    Look @ Marina Village for a ceremony and reception site - very affordable.  You can take in your own caterer, own alcohol, etc.  Where most venues get you is the food and alcohol. 
    If you have a family member who is ex-Navy (in good standing) look into the Navy's venue sites.  we are getting married @ the Admiral Kidd Club - very affordable and a gorgeous backdrop (along the harbor, overlooking downtown).  There are other venues from the Navy as well, the problem is you have to use their catering but it goes from $25/person to $55/person - which is very affordable. 
    I am DIYing everything that I can, centerpieces, flowers, favors, BM gifts, etc.  Wedding industry will tell you that you should have all these things, write down before you start planning and say what is most important to you.  And go from there. 
  • miss.jawrightmiss.jawright member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our budget is 20,000 but we aren't doing a ton of DIY. We are skipping  bunch of little details though.
  • edited December 2011
    I am trying to plan a wedding in San Diego in Sept from away as well, and agree the Site fee and food/beverage minimums are what get the costs to be higher during peak season. We ended up at a budget of $40k for 200 people, and have managed to pay for a $5k site fee, $5k open bar and $6k band (b/c that's what's important to me) but cut costs on photography, florist, etc. (which I think youd find on average is about $4-$5k, but we're spending around the $2k range)...to meet that budget.

    This girl's blog/message board of her planning on a budget in San Diego has been SUPER helpful to me...you can find some good stuff out there!
    http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=asianaussie
  • edited December 2011
    I am getting married at Twin oaks and once you have the dress and everything it will be close to $20,000. But so worth it for such a beautiful venue!!!!
    We just stopped preventing January 2013! I use a tablet so please forgive my auto correct! :)
  • jeninabdullahjeninabdullah member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am doing my wedding in San Diego on a super tight budget... it just matters what you are willing to give up. I am able to do mine for under $7,000 for 60 people. But I did an a la carte menu, only champagne toast no wine with dinner. I went simple on flowers using bowls with water and just floating flower heads. We did manage to get a really nice venue. Just talk to most places and they will totally work with you.

    I would say with 100 people you could probably do it under $12,000... its just up to you if you really need every bell and whistle or if the little things are what really make you happy.
  • lagle22lagle22 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    hi,

    I am currently at the beginning stages of an august 2011 wedding.

    so you know my budget - I am looking at $20,000 for 150 and with that, I am finding that I need to focus on private venues vs. hotels and such.  and, its still really hard with that budget, and also planning on DIY for a lot of items.  As I am sure you know, one of the biggest budgeting issues I have found - and this is just looking at venues - is the bar. if you plan on having a bar, hosted, then this will run you a good chunk. that is why i am looking at private, which allow you to bring your own and save money there.   however, keep in mind that with these private venues there is a site fee and typically that only includes the site - some have chairs and tables... but that is SOME.  You also have to organize everything yourself, and so considering a coordinator for certain items, or really leaning on the site coordinator, is something to think about.

    one of the locations that I like that has an inexpensive site fee, is the NTC promanade. This is in Point loma and an old navy base. Its really changed, and seeing how there is no connection to the service with my fiance and I, we can still have our wedding there.  i hear that the coordinator there is great - livia.

    hope this helps. any other ideas you get - i am open to hearing them as well :).
  • edited December 2011
    I was shocked to find what things cost when you really add it all up. I am doing a few do it yourself type things like my own centerpieces. I found that cutting the guest list is the best way to cut costs. Still, with 70 people, we are looking at about 25k. Just don't forget all the extras when you budget - your shoes, hair accessories, etc., and tax and service charges come to 30%!!!! My 20k budget immediately went to 25 with the taxes and service charges. 
  • edited December 2011
    Thank you all soooo much for the help!!! I was thinking around 20k+ for a budget, but felt a little discouraged, thinking it was too much to ask for. Thank you all for the beautiful venue suggestions. We are definately looking at a venue that will allow us to bring in our own alcohol (our families like to party, and so do we) and possibly our own caterer.

    The Admirial Kid club would be ideal, given that the setting is beautiful, we can bring in our own liquor and the catering is so affordable. My brother is in the Air Force, does anyone know if we could use the Admiral Kid club if my brother is active military?

    Is anyone looking at a New Years Eve wedding? We were thinking of changing our date from June 2011, to a New Years Eve 2012 wedding, at a hotel in downtown San Diego. If anyone has had any experience planning a New Years wedding, is there a large difference in price, compared to June?
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