Here are my top 10 venue options for a budget conscious couple that include some tried and true locations as well as some less well known or obvious ones.
Ultimately what you are looking for is a venue with an open space large enough to accommodate the number of guests you invite at a wedding using a format that you have decided upon.
However, I cannot stress enough that you have to look for spaces where you have backup options for bad weather. Most importantly you MUST love your weather back up plan, maybe not as much as your ideal location, but enough that you won’t feel a huge sense of loss or disappointment if weather interferes with your master plan.
Here goes:
1. A great restaurant with outdoor space or a view
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: A too high minimum spend. Limited seating capacity. Cost of standard menu and beverage plans. Image Credit
2. Art Gallery
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: You should ideally like the art but may not know what is intended on your wedding day until it’s almost there. You may have limitations on flowers, candles, lighting or even flash photography
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3. Antiques Store
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: You may have to work around store hours which leaves little time for set up. You may not have kitchen facilities for catering support. You may have to limit numbers. Image Source
4. Vacation Rental
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: Minimum number of days rental which may be prohibitively expensive. If you are looking for outside space, you might only need it for one or two nights. Make sure you have a weather backup plan that won’t cost thousands extra. Image Source
5. Ski Lodge
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: Off season times are best but make sure they have access to good staff. If you are looking to get married during the winter season, you’ll need to watch out for operating hours. Transportation of goods can prove challenging. Image Source
6. Theatre
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: You might have to work around operating hours or show bookings. There may be limitations on what you can bring in and/or use such as candles. Support items like tables and chairs may need to be brought in. Image Source
7. Winery
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: During high season your costs will escalate. You may have to book a minimum number of rooms if the winery also has accommodation. Watch out for the minimum spend and their specific alcohol regulations that may restrict beer or full service bar. Image Source
8. Community Center or Town Hall with Outdoor Space
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: Make sure you like the backup plan if you are hoping to use the outdoor space. Does it have kitchen facilities and support items like tables, chairs, dishware, cutlery, etc. Image Source
9. Botanical Garden
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: You may have to work around their operational hours. You may be facing limitations particularly if there is sensitive plant or animal life present. You should check if tables, chairs, etc are available. Find out the catering policies and facilities that are available. Image Source
10. Barn / Farm
Beware of these possible budget or dream busters: These locations have become immensely popular over the past number of years so availability may be an issue. Is there local accommodation available for guests? Check on the catering companies and facilities on site and make sure the washrooms are suitable for the number of guests. Image Source
I hope this has helped you open your mind to other possibilities.
Lori x
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This is the million dollar question – how do I get my D.R.E.A.M. Wedding when I have a limited budget?
Let’s begin by looking at my definition of a dream wedding. There is a major difference between having the wedding of your dreams (read fantasy) and your D.R.E.A.M. Wedding which is much more about checking off those MUST HAVE boxes that will define your own unique wedding day (your vision) – one that you will remember with joy for a lifetime!
Here goes – a D.R.E.A.M. Wedding is one where you are:
- Daring – as in Dare to Be Different!
- Realistic – genuine, authentic, original and true to your “vision”
- Entertaining – create several opportunities for your guests to interact and have fun
- Affordable and Artistic – within your budget parameters yet imaginative and creative
- Meaningful – make choices that focus on the meaning of the day as defined by your “vision”
I’m going to take my imaginary couple who have created their vision as defined by their Top 10 List, which includes in order, the following:
- Budget management ($10,000 budget)
- Extended family and friends including kids (200 people)
- Meaningful, heartfelt ceremony
- Don’t want a stuffy wedding day
- Music and/or entertainment
- Cute décor
- Photography
- Wedding party of 10
- Good food
- Hosted bar
Their D.R.E.A.M. Day might look something like this:
Guests are invited by DIY invites that require an online RSVP through a website set up for the occasion. The website includes a PDF file of the map for guests to download
On the wedding day, the couple gets ready at their respective family homes and then
The couple arranges a first look (11am) to avoid any emotional breakdowns at the actual ceremony
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They have asked their photographer (who they found through a local photographic school) to photograph the first look by taking shots as outlined by the couple on their photo shot list during their final meeting – for the price of $1000 (and a chance for the photographer to build their portfolio)
The wedding party joins the couple after 30 minutes for group photos (see shot list) at a pre-determined location and carries hand-made bouquets or buttonholes.
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The wedding party then travels to the ceremony site at a beautiful community centre (12:30pm) in their own cars where the men will greet the guests and the girls will touch up their hair and makeup
The early afternoon ceremony (1 pm) includes ALL of their extended family and friends on their wedding list which is then
Presided over (officiated) by a close friend who has become ordained specifically for your wedding day and who is comfortable in front of people ($0)
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Using wording that has been agreed upon before the wedding
With personalized vows said by the couple.
The ceremony is recorded by two friends on their iPhones and/or video cameras and live streamed to friends who couldn’t make it ($0)
And photos are taken by the photographer (see above)
The ceremony which lasted for 30 minutes is immediately followed by an old fashioned informal picnic with games and activities for all ages on the grounds of the ceremony site (with indoor space available in case of bad weather)
A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic punches are served along with juice and water in drink dispensers and rented glassware is set up for self-service on a lovely table
Cute DIY drink signage or labels identifies the choices available
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A beer and cooler station is overseen by a bartender and includes décor that is eye-catching and fitting for a picnic setting ($8 per person)
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Games made by family members or purchased online at discounted prices are set up around the outdoor space
That includes something for everyone of any age
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Food includes pre-done picnic boxes (with a selection of sandwiches, chips, fruit and homemade cookies and candy) finished off with a great selection of fresh sandwiches from your local deli – put together by friends (while you are doing your first look and photo shoot) – $12.50 per box
The main picnic boxes having been done except for the sandwiches in advance (chips, cookies, candy, fruit, etc)
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Music plays courtesy of an iPod and sound system rented from your local music shop and is overseen by a friend hired for the occasion ($100) using a playlist you compiled over the past number of months. A microphone is hooked into the amp for planned and informal speeches and the thank you by the couple signifying the end of the event (5:30 pm).
A mix of seating options are available that range from tables and chairs (from venue) to picnic tables rented for the occasion. Each of these tables is covered with either rented table cloths or sheets from a local thrift store that work with your décor.
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Favors including packaged popcorn, oreo pops, rice krispie sticks and cotton candy are available for your guests to take on the way out – presided over by couple or attendant ($1.50 per guest)
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The cutting of the DIY cake takes place and is then cut up for service to guests …
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The couple departs the reception at 5:30 pm in their rented car ($100) (can you say confetti?) and heads to the hotel where they are spending their first night as a married couple
Their closest family and friends who have received a special invitation, will join the couple at the hotel bar for additional ‘together’ time after they have tidied up the reception site on behalf of the couple
Inexpensive appetizers have been arranged by the couple but the drinks are on the guests!
What can you come up with that fits your vision?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Lori x
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You’ve found it! Your perfect wedding venue!
It has absolutely everything you want and you can’t wait to book it! But hold on a minute – before you sign on the dotted line, can you afford it?
I’m going to show you a very simple way to do some quick calculations before you get your heart set on a wedding venue that isn’t within your budget range. Even if you hate doing math – here’s some simple ways to figure it out in a matter of seconds.
To illustrate the main points I want to make, I have created a few chalkboard images that will probably cause anxiety and stress as far as your budget goes – but don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you hanging. I’ll wrap up this article with a few thoughts for you and a resource you can take advantage of!
Here goes!
Considering that between 47% and 50% of your entire budget will go towards your venue costs which include: rental fees; food; beverages and gratuities AND which may or may not include audio visual items; parking; coat check; storage space and linens – this is a huge expense.
In order to look more closely at your budget allowances we’ll start here.
If you have a $10,000 budget figure in mind, for the sake of simplicity we’ll assume 50% venue costs and 50% for other items wedding related expenses like the photographer, videographer, DJ or band, transportation, flowers, decorations and the cake.
Here are two calculations based on a $10,000 budget.
Number One: $10,000 budget and 100 guests.
Number Two: $10,000 budget and 150 guests.
Keep in mind that this budget number MUST include all food and beverage charges as well as any added gratuities!
I’ve done the same thing with a $5,000 budget.
Number Three: $5,000 budget and 100 guests.
Number Four: $5,000 budget and 150 guests.
Okay – what does this do for you? Well, for one thing you’ll be able to determine very easily whether or not a venue is within your price range. If their starting meal prices exceed your total food and beverage budget you’ll need to keep looking for other option or seriously revisit your guest numbers; your budget or look at other ways to cut your costs.
There are some additional options to consider. You may want to look at off peak times of the year (anything from November – April); off peak days of the week (anything but Saturday); taking your entire event outside of a city environment (think cute country settings); format your wedding day around brunch, lunch or cocktails (move away from a seated dinner) or involve a lot of your family and friends to help make or supply food items.
Helping YOU get from “I Will” to “I Do”!
Lori x
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There are some very common wedding day formats that crop up time and time again. Some of these are promoted by the wedding industry itself but mostly they have become commonplace and almost expected because they are tried and true. The question is: Do any of these speak to you?
I’m not really much of a fan of following the crowd – that never got anyone anywhere interesting! What I want you to do is to create an amazing day that is uniquely you and that works within your budget!
Here at the five most common wedding day reception formats and the basic focus of your budgetary spending for each.
1. Sit Down Dinner Reception
This is by far the most common. It generally includes a mid to late afternoon ceremony followed by a cocktail reception, dinner and finally dancing. This is a lot about tradition. The budget would be pretty evenly split between food, beverage, location, entertainment and décor.
2. Buffet Dinner Reception
This is the second most common format and is often chosen to reduce the overall cost of dinner. It generally includes a mid to late afternoon ceremony followed by a cocktail reception, dinner and finally dancing. Sometimes couples include a potluck component or they host it entirely themselves. The budget focus would be evenly split but is often lower than the sit down dinner option.
3. Activity Based Reception
Common formats for this type of reception include barbecues; carnival or circus themed receptions; family style picnics or a host of other possible ‘themes’.
This typically involves an early afternoon ceremony followed by a very interactive family based reception with or without dancing. This is all about fun! The budget focus would be on families; décor; activities; possibly dancing and food and beverage “presentation” over cost.
4. Cake and Punch Receptions
Once upon a time this was the norm. An early afternoon ceremony was followed by a cake and punch reception at a church hall. There has been a huge return to this format because of the cost savings involved. It is one of my favourite, however I like to add a more stylized twist to it to involve something special. An example would be a coffee bar with hot chocolate, mulled cider, some activities and a very stylish presentation. A little forethought creates a big impact! The budget focus here is on quantity of guests versus quantity of food. If you are expected to invite a lot of people on a limited budget – this is your go to option!
5. Weekend Weddings
This has recently become a much bigger trend in weddings with a rustic cabin site or beachside location that can house a smaller group of family and friends for a much longer period of time. People arrive at least one day in advance of the wedding and share simple times together. Songs around a campfire; games; story telling, etc. The wedding day involves an uncomplicated ceremony followed by a simple buffet dinner that everyone is involved in preparing, consuming and cleaning up. The primary focus here, is all about time with family and friends!
Are you prepared to blaze your own trail and come up with a unique solution to the challenges that you face in planning a wedding that speaks to your heart, your head and your soul? Do that and you will have a wedding that is incredibly meaningful and undeniably memorable!
Here’s to your wedding dreams!
Lori x
Photo Credits: Sit Down Dinner | Buffet Reception | Game of Croquet | Cake Table | Camp Wedding
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