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$2000 for ceremony + recption + food, 60 guests. Doable?

Strawberry145Strawberry145 member
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in Washington-Seattle
I've been looking around and it seems like, i dont know, I will have a lot of out-of-town guests so I kinda want it to be special without spending too much. Any suggestions on venues in/around Seattle? Can be outside of seattle. I was thinking June - August.
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Re: $2000 for ceremony + recption + food, 60 guests. Doable?

  • jennuinnejennuinne member
    Seventh Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No.  Unless you do it in a park or someone's house, make the food yourself, or do very simple food like trays from a grocery store or deli, no alcohol, no DJ, no photographer, have someone you know officiate for free and DIY everything else.  I'm assuming this doesn't include your dress or anything else.  Still, I think $2000 is not realistic.
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  • mergatormergator member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I agree. Not realistic. I had about 75 guests, and for ONLY the items you mentioned, it was just under 5K.   I don't want to discourage you from trying to cut costs. You may have friends or a family member who has a great house or backyard that they may be willing to give you for the event, and you can cater extremely cheaply by just doing appetizers. There are tons of sites online about how to do weddings on a tight budget, but $2000 is extremely limiting.


    One thing that I did for out of town guests to give them a "special" experience, but NOT on my dime? I organized events on the weekend of the wedding that were Seattle-esque, but those who wanted to go went on their dime. We did a Mariners game and an hour-long Argosy cruise. It was a great way for those guests to experience Seattle, get to know other guests and get some time with us that they wouldn't get on the wedding day.


    GOOD LUCK!

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  • jamers22jamers22
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    i'm sure there are people out there that can definitely pull it off, but it wouldnt be easy. depending on your style, even a wedding & reception at someone's house can get expensive... we're having ours at a friends house on the water, and the rentals (tent, tables, chairs, linens, etc) are over $3k. Granted, we have almost 150 guests, so we have that against us. But rentals and that kind of stuff are not cheap.
    Maybe look into restaurants that have banquet rooms. If you were willing to do an off day and time, they might be a little flexible.
    Good luck!!!

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  • jennlinjennlin member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    it's possible, but it's going to be tough and probably not the fairytale wedding little girls dream about.

    i would suggest a lowkey courthouse ceremony ($150) or a church ceremony ($$ depends on if you're a member or not, etc), and a lunch reception at a casual restaurant with a private room. that way there are no chair, tent, plates, silverware, etc rentals to worry about.

    DIY your own flowers and cp's, ipod dj..

    having it on an "off" day will help too...better if you can do off season, as well.
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  • jennyann28jennyann28
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sorry to be a downer, but no, that's not doable.  Our budget for our wedding was basically "spend as little as possible" in each area.  But I will tell you, location alone?  More than $2k.  Food alone (for 90)?  More than $2k.  That does NOT include cake/drinks/alcohol.  Photographer?  I got the cheapest package and it was right around $2k, and I booked in 2009 so it was cheaper that it would be now.

    Like PPs said, if you only want to spend $2000, don't have a traditional wedding, and don't have 60 guests.  And don't have it on a weekend between May-October.  Good luck!
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  • amandaswamandasw member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Unfortunately, I think pp are right - that's really not much money to work with.  But you also didn't really say how flexible you are with what you want.  If you want to wear a white summer dress, have Costco trays and do it at a park, maybe it would be do-able.  I also think the lunch idea at a restaurant is a really good option.  There are lots of inexpensive ways to get married if you are open to different ideas.

    If on the other hand you wanted a full meal, indoor reception with a DJ etc, I think you'll have a hard time with that budget.  Any reason for the $2000 mark specifically?  What that just a ballpark estimate of what you would like to spend (but would maybe be willing to spend more)?  Lots of girls here have great ideas for keeping the cost down, but some things just add up.  Good luck!
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  • koosh ballkoosh ball member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    As jennlin said, its possible but you will have to DIY everything and won't have a professional photographer. I would also suggest the court house + lunch reception at an inexpeisnve restaurant with a private room or even in your back yard.

    As an example, our wedding had 32 people and lunch was over 2K alone.  Photography was another 2K. Flowers were 500 (without a wedding party). The dress was 1K. So yeah.... it's going to be hard but possible if you don't mind not having a dream day.
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