Affordable Without Looking Cheap...possible?

mediacy

Hi--I live in NYC and am a grownup, 35, first wedding. I do not have a lot of disposable income for a wedding, and my parents, who once made a lot of money, are now feeling the pinch of the economy as well. They said they definitely want to contribute, but I have to give them prices first to get an idea of costs. It seems like everywhere in and around NYC is at least $85 a head (more like $125 on average) plus venue, photography, cake, flower and other costs. It makes me kind of want to elope!!! Is there a way to bring it all in around the $10,000 mark in the Tristate area, or do we need to go to a different state?? We can't do destination unfortunately due to some travel issues with relatives. Thanks for your help!! I feel like I'm being selfish or greedy wanting to even have a reception!

mediacy

Hi--I live in NYC and am a grownup, 35, first wedding. I do not have a lot of disposable income for a wedding, and my parents, who once made a lot of money, are now feeling the pinch of the economy as well. They said they definitely want to contribute, but I have to give them prices first to get an idea of costs. It seems like everywhere in and around NYC is at least $85 a head (more like $125 on average) plus venue, photography, cake, flower and other costs. It makes me kind of want to elope!!! Is there a way to bring it all in around the $10,000 mark in the Tristate area, or do we need to go to a different state?? We can't do destination unfortunately due to some travel issues with relatives. Thanks for your help!! I feel like I'm being selfish or greedy wanting to even have a reception!

JadziaDax

Definitely look outside of Manhattan and around the other boroughs. Consider having an afternoon reception or making a smaller guest list. I don't know any place that is less than $85 a person.

prusgirl

Queens - my friend's sister got married at a nice venue in Queens; beautiful and it was around $75 (w/o tax) per person. 

But, have you thought about Riverside Church?  I hear it's nice.

myste218

I can help you with the flowers on a budget, as I have been studying floral design in Asia and recently came back to launch an event design & planning group.  There is ALWAYS a way to cut cost without sacrificing what you want, as long as there's some flexibility - e.g., DIY, wholesale instead of retail, locating resales, buffet instead of sit down, and definitely looking to the outerboroughs.  Also with a tight budget, you might be amazed by how you can use warehouse stores like Costco, BJs, Sams Club, etc. 

lisalou402

There are plenty of places in Queens and Brooklyn that are catering venues that can probably do it for $85 pp.  But it is probably going ot have to be a SUnday or Friday night.

Try the Floral Terrace in Floral Park, or Astoria Manor in Astoria.

They  just released the NY Mag wedding issue and it lists a lot of venues.

Also there are a few in the bronx. 

I think it means wind up with a simple catering hall, but in the end, that's all you really need if you have your friends and family around you.

Have you also thoguht about just renting a place and having passed appetizers and cocktails?

balzos01

I too am having a similar dilemma! At this point, we're opting for the cocktail reception "deal." In Manhattan, it clearly is no bargain, but in the end will end up costing an amount that is still significantly less than the sit-down dinner alternative...so it's worth looking into! Hope this helps..

elfygirl99

I booked a place in Elmsford which is $89 per person (w/o tax) but it includes centerpieces, linens, and the cake as well as the location and catering.  it's very pretty and has a beautiful garden outside.  It's not too far from the city.  This is for a Saturday night full dinner, during busy season.

You could consider and afternoon reception, or cocktail reception.  Or try to price places without mentioning it's a wedding.  Adding the word wedding makes everything more expensive.  Call it a family party or something, and see what price they give you.  I've seen catering prices drop to as low as $40-something for non wedding events.

juliecnyc

Might depend on how many people you're thinking too.
I had an afternoon reception on a Sunday--did a buffet at Terrace in the Sky, which has gorgeous views of the city. Their package started at $45 pp before tax and some extras. (I don't think that was based on Sunday afternoon timeframe or anything, but I think that helped us in terms of alcohol consumption, which is costly!) Also, that meant that we didn't need a DJ, which probably saved at least 1k.
Flowers are a super expensive piece. You can order directly from a shop in the flower district and create bouquets/centerpieces yourself.

With that kind of small budget in the city you will definitely have to figure out what you really really want and what you don't really care about or need.

(We had a 10k budget but only 25 people...and we went over by almost 1k. not really sure how that happened... )

balzos01

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-new-york-city_affordable-looking-cheappossible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:114Discussion:c4ca6388-56c4-4e00-87f3-bdffbd575f21Post:a38c1798-53c0-4064-9c24-f25ff87be0b1">Re: Affordable Without Looking Cheap...possible?</a>:
[QUOTE]Might depend on how many people you're thinking too. I had an afternoon reception on a Sunday--did a buffet at Terrace in the Sky, which has gorgeous views of the city. Their package started at $45 pp before tax and some extras. (I don't think that was based on Sunday afternoon timeframe or anything, but I think that helped us in terms of alcohol consumption, which is costly!) Also, that meant that we didn't need a DJ, which probably saved at least 1k. Flowers are a super expensive piece. You can order directly from a shop in the flower district and create bouquets/centerpieces yourself. With that kind of small budget in the city you will definitely have to figure out what you really really want and what you don't really care about or need. (We had a 10k budget but only 25 people...and we went over by almost 1k. not really sure how that happened... :))
Posted by juliecnyc[/QUOTE]

nicolebode

We just had our wedding at the Douglaston Manor in Douglaston Queens. Did it on a sunday night, so that shaved off a ton of money, plus we took the bronze package which - with a 5 hour open bar - came out to about $82 a head with tax. You could definitely lose the bar aspect and take the costs down a lot. The place is already beautiful so you wouldn't have to decorate much at all, maybe a live potted plant for the centerpiece (we used a single white orchid which we bought at Manhattan's flower district for a steal, look for Tropical Plants and Orchids and ask for Javier) -- and you are already halfway there! We were told it would be impossible to find an affordable place in the NYC area too but we did all right -- everyone thought we spent a fortune on the reception. Good luck!

 

Carried2

I heard Old Bermuda Inn in Staten Island is relatively inexpensive. OR Island Chateau which is like 99 bucks per head but includes cake and get this,,,FLOWERS!

coophoops

you would want to keep your guest count low to save money, perhaps try on for size getting married at city hall, and then having a huge dinner/reception at an affordable restaurant in manhattan. (I hear Bubby's is great).

DIY projects can help too -- but if you look at possibly a CT wedding, 1-2 hours away from NYC, you will definitely be able to save more!

Good luck!!

mediacy

Thanks so much everyone! I think I'm going to get in around budget by going out on Long Island--and I'm not including the dress, ring, etc. in that amount--just the wedding itself (food, drinks, venue)...realizing it is going to be closer to $15-$20K with the add ons, but, that's life I suppose!!! And I only plan to do this once ))

jeangismervik

I am throwing an NYC wedding for less than $10,000. My reception for 90 people including 5 hours open bar, aps, dinner, dessert, tax, tip is $5000. It's at 107 West on the upper west side. I have everything on my blog www.foreverisntfree.blogspot.com

All my vendors are fantastic and other than those that read my blog, no one will know it's not a $40,000 wedding.