Planning A Wedding Budget
Why does it seem like adding the word "wedding" makes it so much more expensive than a party?
Weddings are very special occasions. Many people dream of their wedding for years and years and have a vision in mind for their big day, which often tends to change many times throughout the planning process. Most events don't take the type of experience, care of detail, patience, and time that a wedding does. There is normally much more work and time involved in weddings (such as answering questions, meetings, making changes, offering advice) than most other types of events. For example: the standard party might have 5 emails back and forth and the standard wedding likely has 35-75 emails. Weddings generally are much more work and take much more time than a standard party.
How much should you budget?
Each couple should sit down and discuss their wedding budget before moving forward with booking vendors. Each person might have different priorities on what is important to them, and it is essential to talk about what you each want and determine if you have the budget to achieve those things.
How Can You Save Money on Your Wedding?
- Be flexible - Be open to dates that aren't prime dates. Fall is our most popular time at our venue, and therefore it is the most expensive.
- Keep your guest list as small as you can - The main factor affecting budget is normally guest count. It affects everything from catering costs to the number of centerpieces.
Example Wedding Budgets
BUDGET EXAMPLE FOR AN ELOPEMENT
*An elopement at our venue is normally for 15 or fewer people for 3 Hours Total (One hour for set up, one hour for ceremony and cake cutting, a dance or two, light appetizers, and an hour for clean up)
The average total wedding budget at our venue for an elopement will likely be between
$1,000 and $3,000. An elopement can be done for less with reasonable expectations.
*According to many articles, the average cost of an elopement for 15 or fewer in the US is around $5,000 to $15,000. We have based our budget information below on our area and what we believe is realistically possible within our region within certain expectations. Each couple is different, and budgets may vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
Here is a breakdown of costs below for an ELOPEMENT:
Venue: $500- $850 *Elopement Special* (depends on day of the week and time of year)
Catering: $200-$1,000 +, depending on number of guests, food selection, and catering staff needed. You can also plan your time of ceremony at a time where a full meal isn't expected and make sure your guests know it will only be heavy appetizers.
Flowers: $100- $2,500+ (Depends on type and amount of flowers. Many people want to try to DIY, but don't realize this can cause more stress and often cost more than some options such as our realistic rental options)
DJ/Entertainment: $200- $1,200+ (you can save money by DIY-ing a playlist, but you will need to be organized and plan things ahead of time, as well as have someone in charge of the playlist and announcements, if wanted. You will also miss out on the knowledge an experienced DJ brings to getting the party going as well as MC-ing)
Photography: $500 - $2,800+ Depends on time frame and desired coverage, as well as experience of photographer. You can opt for fewer hours of coverage to save money. Some photographers offer hourly rates starting at $250/hr (they may have a minimum hour requirement).
Videography: if desired $1,000 - $2,800+
Cake/Desserts: $75 - $200+
Coordinator: $0 if you don't hire a coordinator (you can appoint a family member or friend), but if you do, you can expect $500-$3,000+ It depends greatly on what is expected and whether it is a day-of coordinator or more full-service.
Alcohol: … $40 ABC Banquet License
Wedding Insurance: you may already have coverage through homeowners or renters insurance
Other budget considerations:
Wedding Dress: $500-$3,000+
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BUDGET EXAMPLE FOR 25 OR FEWER
BUDGET EXAMPLE FOR 25 or FEWER
The average total wedding budget at our venue for a wedding of 25 or fewer will likely be between
$2,500 and $6,000. A wedding can be done for less with reasonable expectations.
*According to many articles, the average cost of a wedding in the US is around $20,000 to $30,000. We have based our budget information below on our area and what we believe is realistically possible within our region within certain expectations. Each couple is different, and budgets may vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
Here is a breakdown of costs below FOR A WEDDING OF 75-100:
Venue: $1,250 - $1,350 (depends on which package, number of guests, day of the week, and time of year)
Catering: $400- $2,500 +, depending on number of guests, food selection, and catering staff needed. How is $400 possible? Well, we do allow our clients to have pizza that they can pick up locally if they want, and this is probably the cheapest option available for catering (you will want to be organized and make sure the pizza is picked up right before serving and that it is disposed of or stored properly after sitting out for the appropriate amount of time to avoid food poisoning. Please inquire for more details). Normally, you can anticipate $40/person for professional catering with catering staff. Other ideas? You can also plan your time of ceremony at a time where a full meal isn't expected and make sure your guests know it will only be heavy appetizers.
Flowers: $500 - $2,500+ (Depends on type and amount of flowers. Many people want to try to DIY, but don't realize this can cause more stress and often cost more than some options such as our realistic rental options)
DJ/Entertainment: $400- $1,200+ (you can save money by DIY-ing a playlist, but you will need to be organized and plan things ahead of time, as well as have someone in charge of the playlist and announcements, if wanted. You will also miss out on the knowledge an experienced DJ brings to getting the party going as well as MC-ing)
Photography: $850 - $3,500+ Depends on time frame and desired coverage, as well as experience of photographer. You can opt for fewer hours of coverage to save money. Some photographers offer hourly rates starting at $250/hr (they may have a minimum hour requirement).
Videography: if desired - $1,000 - $2,800+
Cake/Desserts: $300 - $900+
Coordinator: $0 if you don't hire a coordinator (you can appoint a family member or friend), but if you do, you can expect $500-$3,000+ It depends greatly on what is expected and whether it is a day-of coordinator or more full-service.
Alcohol: … $40 ABC Banquet License
Wedding Insurance: you may already have coverage through homeowners or renters insurance
Other budget considerations:
Wedding Dress: $500-$3,000+
Invitations and postage: $200 - $800+ (or opt for digital invitations to be environmental and economical)
Overnight accommodations: ...
BUDGET EXAMPLE FOR 75-100
BUDGET EXAMPLE FOR 75-100
The average total wedding budget at our venue for a wedding of approx. 75-100 will likely be between
$6,500 and $18,000. A wedding with fewer guests can be done for less with reasonable expectations.
*According to many articles, the average cost of a wedding in the US is around $20,000 to $30,000. We have based our budget information below on our area and what we believe is realistically possible within our region within certain expectations. Each couple is different, and budgets may vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
Here is a breakdown of costs below FOR A WEDDING OF 75-100:
Venue: $2,700 - $4,200 (depends on which package, number of guests, day of the week, and time of year)
Catering: $400- $4,200 +, depending on number of guests, food selection, and catering staff needed. How is $400 possible? Well, we do allow our clients to have pizza that they can pick up locally if they want, and this is probably the cheapest option available for catering (you will want to be organized and make sure the pizza is picked up right before serving and that it is disposed of or stored properly after sitting out for the appropriate amount of time to avoid food poisoning. Please inquire for more details). Normally, you can anticipate $40/person for professional catering with catering staff. Other ideas? You can also plan your time of ceremony at a time where a full meal isn't expected and make sure your guests know it will only be heavy appetizers.
Flowers: $500 - $2,500+ (Depends on type and amount of flowers. Many people want to try to DIY, but don't realize this can cause more stress and often cost more than some options such as our realistic rental options)
DJ/Entertainment: $400- $1,200+ (you can save money by DIY-ing a playlist, but you will need to be organized and plan things ahead of time, as well as have someone in charge of the playlist and announcements, if wanted. You will also miss out on the knowledge an experienced DJ brings to getting the party going as well as MC-ing)
Photography: $850 - $3,500+ Depends on time frame and desired coverage, as well as experience of photographer. You can opt for fewer hours of coverage to save money. Some photographers offer hourly rates starting at $250/hr (they may have a minimum hour requirement).
Videography: if desired - $1,000 - $2,800+
Cake/Desserts: $300 - $900+
Coordinator: $0 if you don't hire a coordinator (you can appoint a family member or friend), but if you do, you can expect $500-$3,000+ It depends greatly on what is expected and whether it is a day-of coordinator or more full-service.
Alcohol: … $40 ABC Banquet License
Wedding Insurance: you may already have coverage through homeowners or renters insurance
Other budget considerations:
Wedding Dress: $500-$3,000+
Invitations and postage: $200 - $800+ (or opt for digital invitations to be environmental and economical)
Overnight accommodations: ...
Book Your Wedding
Ready to start planning your wedding day at Carolyn Baldwin Lake Pavilion? Contact us today to schedule a tour, discuss packages, and start planning the wedding of your dreams!