I can't believe how much this costs!

Luckycharm87

Ok- total wedding shock. We went and checked out our first wedding receptions sites the other day. We want to do a sunday wedding so we dont have to face a huge minimum, and we only are having around 80-90 guests. The woman at the place says" what is your budget" and I said $10,000- thinking $10K for Everyting ( dress, photographer, videographer, ceremony and reception, etc). So she comes back with a quote for $10K for just the ceremony and reception- I was in shock! How can a wedding for 80-90 people cost so much??

PoliceWife104

Oh wow!  Can I ask where that was?  That seems quite high for a smaller guest list!  I can't see how she would get $10K for all that, unless the place has minimums, but still!

When we were looking for vendors I never told them what our budget was.  I figure we know it & if we get the quote back & think it's something we can't swing, then we'll go back to the vendor to try & negotiate.  If not, it's off to the next one!  = )

Try not to be to discouraged & keep your search up!  It is amazing how much some places cost, but if you look long & hard enough you'll find something that will work for you, in your budget!

JeremiahsBabe

That is high.  Where are you looking at?  I am getting married in chaska at a place that is so reasonable.  Only 450 max for renting (depending on guest list, this is max for 250 guests) and no food and bev mins.  If this is in your area let me know!

futuremrsjb3

That does seem extremely high.  The place we are hoping to have our reception is estimated to cost only about $3000 and that includes food, $800 minimum alcohol, decorating and clean up, pretty much everything.  For an additional $200 we can get married there too.

http://www.tstcreativecatering.com/

Steph0871

Keep looking!  We did our 150 guest wedding for about $9k total (dress, gifts, booze, ceremony, reception, DJ, photog, etc.) FYI- that doesn't include rings, and we didn't take a honeymoon. 

We got married at Profile Event Center, but they might be too big for you.  The room we used was expanded and can now hold like 400 (500?) people!  

If it's less than 100 guests, you might want to check into restaurants too!  A lot of places could probably accommodate an event of 80-90 people.  Are you looking for a 'fancier' place or is more casual ok?  Because you're considering a Sunday wedding, I'd really consider the restaurant route- there are a lot of places that aren't as busy on Sundays so they're more willing to rent out  a room for a wedding.  www.axelsbonfire.com/private_parties/">Axel's and Rosevine (< links) are two of them we considered.  Solera also rents out space, but that's a little less traditional for a wedding. (Spanish tapas. yum.)

If you want to save money elsewhere, look for people who are just starting up in the wedding industry.  There is, of course, a risk with that, but it worked very well for us.  When we booked our photogs (Snap.Grin-if you watch we're in the header- the couple in front of the train), they had only shot 1 wedding.  But by the time they did our wedding, they had done a whole lot more, had gotten new equipment, etc.  We got them for $1000 for EVERYTHING. E-pics, full day of shooting on the wedding, two photogs, all rights to our photos.  Now that they have more experience, their prices are closer to $3k last I heard. Reasonable prices are out there if you do your homework

Ok. That got a little long. oops!  If you need good rec's for vendors, definitely check here. I'd just recommend looking back a few pages of threads first, because those are popular posts. (Especially DJ, flowers, and Photogs!)  Good luck! 

khornbach

I agree with Steph about looking at restaurants. We're having our rehearsal dinner at the Happy Gnome, and they have a great space for receptions in a private upstairs room that holds up to 120 people. Our minimum for a Friday night was $3K which is really reasonable. The minimum includes the space rental and they have great fod and will customize it to whatever you want. Good Luck!

schmood

I agree that the estimate you got was pretty high.  We did ours on a Friday for around 10k for 150 ppl and that includes all but the rings & honeymoon. 

Decide which things you are willing to 'cut corners' on and which things you are willing to spend more on.  For example, we did pretty basic invites that cost around $150.  For centerpieces, we did cakes on each table, and got them from Sams Club for about $250.  I know some people get flowers from the farmers market.  And some people do lots of stuff Do-it-yourself projects to cut costs. 

SSaltzman87

I'm getting married at the same venue as JeremiahsBabe, and I plan on having 100 guests. Altogether for food and bev it should come out pretty close for $4-5k not including tax and gratuity. Looking outside the metro area tends to be cheaper, for a while I was considering Centennial Lakes Park in Edina-the rental fee I think is $900, but you bring in all your own vendors so you could save some $$ there. HTH!

jcamm11

Keep looking, you will definitely be able to come in under 10k on everything on a Sunday with a guest list that size.

wittyschaffy

Also - just like when you buy a car, don't tell people what you want to spend.  Let them give it their best shot without knowing anything specific.  (but go into it armed with a little research before hand so you know the basics of their pricing structure if you can get it)

ustchica05

What venue is Jeremiahsbabe talking about??? I would LOVE to hear about it.