Budget Minneapolis Brides?

kkaew816 · August 2009

Anyone else out there having a 'budget' wedding in the Cities? My budgest is $5k-6k (not including dress, flowers, or rings), any ideas or tips? The Budget board is pretty general so I was hoping to get some Mpls/St Paul tips. Wedding is on a Friday night next September. Any tips from reception, to ceremony, to photographers would be great!!!!!

malloryp8 · August 2009

I'm having my reception at the Kelly Inn/Green Mill in Plymouth. I' having Chicken and Rib buffet for 14.95 a plate. The room is beautiful IMO. I have never seen it on any of these wedding websites but it might be something you would like to check out. I have contact information if you interest. Website in bio.

kkaew816 · August 2009

Oh, and I'm having 80-90 guests.

hkiesling · August 2009

Hmm..my biggest money savor was going with Summit Manor. Because it's an old mansion, there's no need to decorate. Plus, they include all kinds of things like linens, flowers on the tables, cake cutting, dishes, and their chairs aren't hideously gross, so I don't need chair covers. They require that the DJ does not have smoke or lights, so the DJ was willing to charge us half price, because there was less equimpment to haul. Learn to love: Good Will, The Dollar Tree, Michaels, and Vista Print Oh, and if you're doing a fall theme, look for fall decorations to be on clearance in October/November. You have store them for a year, but I got a lot of my stuff for 80% off last year, especially at Michaels (i.e. flowers).

LolaBelle515 · August 2009

The food/venue can easily be the most expensive part of your wedding, though it will cut down considerable because you are having 80-90 people. I recommend checking out Classic Catering's website. They have a list of all of the venues they cater for---they are by far the cheapest caterer that I found (though I'm sure there are others I didn't find!) and they are at several reception venues. It's really helping us keep our costs down. Many congratulations and good luck:)

alillemoe · August 2009

I have heard great things about the quality food that Classic Catering provides and the value price. My food and beverage is going to cost about $13,000 for 200 at the Minneapolis Marriott West. I am depressed about how much we are spending. I think I should have looked into the opportunity of having it somewhere that we could have brought in our own alcohol and had the catering done by Classic. Ugh! Oh Well, too late now for me anyway. I am sure the food and liquor will be quite good at the Marriott.

mofe · August 2009

Check out the mpls nest board and look for Melfindy (I think that's how you spell her name). She had a wedding in the twin cities area but did it on a budget. She'll probably have some good pointers for you.

bourgehm · August 2009

I am on pretty much the same budge as you are. One thing that has REALLY helped out us save money is by having a family friend do our catering (she used to have a wedding catering business, but retired a few years ago). We are also having a dry wedding because I am only 20 (saves a bunch). Look at museums and community centers for the reception. For vases and centerpiece things, look at garage sales. If you have not booked a time or day or anything, try to chose a Friday or Sunday... Also, have it at an afternoon time or 4pm reception and have appetizers. For flowers, instead of having a flower shop arrange centerpieces, just go to trader joes the night before the wedding and buy a whole bunch of boquets. (that's what we're doing). And for the cake, look around and try to order either a cupcake tower or a tiered cake to serve 50 and a sheet cake for the rest of the guests. I've even seen people have a fake cake and all sheeet cakes for the guests. haha. Don't have favors or programs. Make your own invites. DIY!!!! DIY as much as possible! those are some ways we've saved a bunch on our wedding.

melbina · August 2009

I'm doing a Sunday afternoon "tea" at the Gale Mansion for around $4,200 for 70 people, which includes brunch food (pastries, etc) finger sandwiches, coffee, tea, champagne toast and cake from Buttercream, it also includes the ceremony and rental fee, outdoor chairs for the ceremony, linens and table settings and candles for the tables. They might have something similar for Friday nights.

JuliaandRyan14 · August 2009

I just had my wedding at the Gibbs Farm in St. Paul, which offers the use of their "barn" as a place for the dance, and has kitchen facilities (since you have a smaller guest list), and you could likely fit everyone in there, or close to it with a small tent attached to the side. We had a larger tent for the dinner, but over-flow in the barn, and it was wonderful. Also, the grounds are huge amazing, so our guests just wandered around, and we just brought in our own caterer and cake (cupcakes). The farm's website is rchs.com. Also, we hired Sugar Photography for our photos, and they turned out amazing, we were really happy with them. They were completely reasonable, and she even said that she can work with people on a budget, so you may want to let her know what you are thinking and see if she can work with what you have (sugarphotography @ live . com). I created a little picasa album, so if you want to see a few of my pics, you are more than welcome to check them out. http://picasaweb.google.com/juliadryandGood luck, I know how crazy it can be to try to save money! Thankfully, I was not into a traditional wedding dress, so I saved myself a couple of thousand dollars there! (Just an idea!)Julia

kkaew816 · August 2009

Thanks for all the great ideas so far!

joods29 · August 2009

Check out Studio B Photography for your photographer. Her name is Brenda Flann! I absolutely LOVE her and she's very very reasonably priced! She travels all over MN. her website is www.studiobphotos.net

sunkiss177 · August 2009

I have a room block Marriot Minneapolis, because of this they sent us a wedding brochure. They have three levels of wedding packages and I remember them being really cheap (I tossed it out because we already have a venue booked and a deposit down so I can’t give you actual numbers). The packages came with food, a cake, linens, fresh flowers…. I would say that if you have 100 guests or less you could do it with them and be on budget. My parents have been giving me a lot of stress about the budget. I remember getting it and having a mini daydream of telling them to “fine, fine, I will do it myself” and thinking I totally could if I did it at the Marriot.

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