Budget brides??

Re: Budget brides??

• hannahj0 member

  

  February 2013

  I've tried my best comparing places from Pittsburgh to Erie over to Poland, OH - the cheaper venues that I've found all end up being around the same. ~5,000 or so. (This is once food and beverages are included.) From what I was finding, the places that are cheaper are just for the space - once you include catering, etc. the price evens out to some of the "more expensive" places I've found. Needless to say we upped our budget a little.
  
  And yes, the word wedding attached really does increase the price. Some places will list the rental price for the space for an "event" and then another (way more expensive) price for a "wedding". (..can I just lie a little? please? haha. my wedding is an "event", right?)
  
  We're obvsiously thinking about the future as well, and I also am struggling with the whole - should we REALLY spend thousands of dollars for one day when that could easily go for a down payment on a house?
  
  Good luck on your search! And I would love any ideas from others if there are any cheaper places out there!

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• jnissa member

  

  February 2013

  Even doing it budget style- it's going to be difficult to do an actual venue for less than $3k for the day. Even food for 100 people on the back deck at Roundcorner Cantina is $5500 - and that's assuming you would want your ceremony there too and it doesn't include much beyond tacos and margaritas (though those are delicous). 

  
  

  That said, the Pittsburgh Opera House at last check was only $1400 for the day and they would let you bring in your own caterers - and you may want to check out Our Little Secret for catering, which is about as affordable as you can get (plus you can get the catering without waiter service, which reduces the cost). Though when you add that up, you'll probably still be over $3k for the day depending on the size of your party. 

  
  

  I planned my brother's wedding last year which was an extreme budget affair So glad to now be planning my own with a full budget! 

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• offbeat9 member

  

  February 2013

  I put myself on a super slim wedding buget too! I ended up booking the rec hall at a campground  - it was a little over 500 for the weekend and it has some tables/chairs so I only have to rent some. Unfortunately, I had to beg the folks to let me use it for a wedding -they were worried about parties getting out of hand - so I can't really promote it  as i don't think they will be booking other weddings... BUT There are some huge and gorgeous pavilions in parks that would work if you don't mind being outdoors. Rose Barn in North Park or Buffalo Inn are reasonably priced. I don't know what type of food you're looking for, but I've found that non-wedding type caterers have given me the best prices. We talked with a guy who typically does bbq style catering but also does pastas/crab cakes/anything really - and the prices were reasonable. we are doing a bbq meal with 3 different meats and 3 hot sides for $15/pp and making the cold sides/desserts ourselves. If you can buy your own alcohol, you'll save a ton too. We also opted not to have an officiant and do a self uniting marriage. And instead of renting things, i bought nice (real!) plates from ikea for .99 each and have been scavenging thrif stores for forks/knives to have a mismatched look. I've heard DJ Zombo (i've never met him) does a flat rate price for music of like 600 or something too. Good luck! It's a lot of work to search for prices rather than just find things you like and book them or buy them, but I think it's worth it. 
  

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• awilsonbsms member

  

  February 2013

  My wedding was at a place called Penn Scenic View near Somerset & 7 Springs.  To rent the hall was only $1000 on a weekend an that gave me free reign of the grounds too.  We had our ceremony outside, cocktail hour on the balcony, & reception inside.  We did our first look pictures on a hill top that's called the lookout and made us feel on top of the world and gave us some privacy too.  This is a great location for the warmer months, not so much for winter.  They let us decorate it a day early (no extra charge) and have the rehearsal there too.  You bring in your own caterer & booze, I used Tommy's Catering and he was only like $14/person, so that saved us a bunch too.
  
  We opted to rent the lodge on top of the hill for $1000/night as our thank you to our bridal party.  It sleeps 30+ and gave everyone a place to stay right there for the entire weekend.  Our families booked all the other cabins that slept 4-8 depending.
  
  It's a little far, but think of any location like that as another way to save a little because you'll filter out some people who find the distance too much of a hassle.

  

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