Affordable Venue

Take a look at eventective.com and filter by price. A blank slate venue will not have the 5 figure food/drink minimums that an all inclusive will.

As far as saving money, sit down with your fiance and figure out what is important to you and what isn't. Cut out anything not important to you. Most couples focus on the guest experience (good food, guests do not pay out of pocket for drinks, good dj) and quality photos.

Skip favors and other unnecessary items.

When you use the word wedding the price skyrockets and the quality is questionable. Try to step outside the box as much as you can. Renting is much cheaper than purchasing/DIY linens and decorations because your time and sanity equal money. Steaming/cleaning/photographing items to list plus the sales will negate any discounts you get due to the time and energy you have to put in. Fresh flowers from fiftyflowers.com or a local grocery store will be much cheaper than silks.

Restaurant corporate catering is much cheaper and tastier with more food than a wedding caterer. Just sind find servers on thumbtack.com. skip the champagne. Get a cake at a local grocery store.

There are some really nice parks in town that could be in your budget. Think outside the box. Also like someone mentioned earlier the small towns outside of Reno could be nice too. Toybai Golf course has an amazing outdoor ceremony location over looking the course and valley nestled into the trees. There indoor space didnt work for our reception, unsure of the cost or your budget but an option

Don't know if you've looked at the Tannenbaum, the Toiyabe Golf Club, or the River School quite yet.

I know you may want Reno, but have you considered Mount Charleston? This is closer to Las Vegas, has vendors that offer packages, and there is a range of hotels that can accommodate a range of budgets and needs.

The websites stillwhite.com and preownedweddingdresses.com are pretty good at offering gowns at reduced prices. Do get a dress at least 3 sizes bigger than your street size (on the label) because they usually go by European sizing standards. Dresses can always be taken in, but rarely taken out.