Anyone else experiencing sticker shock? Tips from Socal/vegas Brides appreciated.

For "traditional" type venues in So Cal (Orange County), the least expensive we found were Wedgwood venues (they are all over and offer a variety of packages; when we started looking in July, some had extra discounts for the following January/February). Another that was somewhat less expensive than others was the Orange County Mining Company (again, they offer different packages and lower prices for specific days/times). I'm not sure they'll be in your $8000 budget with even 60 guests, but those were the least expensive we looked at. If you'd consider an "elopement package," another one to look at is the Chapel of Orange. Good luck! So Cal isn't an easy "budget wedding" location....

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Thanks so much, Ill take a look into those locations. My Fiance insists that we have his immediate family there, so eloping isnt an option. Otherwise, I would have done it already.

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I'm not sure where you're located, but look at the San Clemente Wedgewood. I just checked and their packages start at $50 a person (fairly limited), but they have a $65 package that includes a bit more. We didn't look at them, but there might be some Wedgewood venues in the Inland Empire that are possibilities as well. (Chapel of Orange's "elopement package" might include up to 50 guests? Take a look at their website.) It's been a couple years since we were looking, so I'm sure packages & prices have changed. Good luck!

Also, I don't know the exact budget, but I know someone who had a wedding at Dove Canyon Courtyard -- I think it might be possible to do something fairly low-priced there.

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I am going to visit some of the Wedgewood locations in the IE. I am based out of the LA area, but Vegas is also an option for us as its easy for family to fly in. I really appreciate all your suggestions. I'm going to research Dove Canyon right now.

Not sure if it would work, but typically places charge an arm and a leg for a “wedding” event. If you just say it’s a family gathering or reunion, whatever, you may save a lot of money and still get the same things. I’ve heard people do that before 🤷🏼‍♀️

Try lakeside weddings a friend of mine had a Vegas wedding there for about 60 people she paid 6500 but don’t remember anything other than champagne and wine served.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I’ll take a look.

View Quoted Comment If you end up going with the San Clemente Wedgewood, don’t order the steak for your meal. It was unpalatable at the wedding I was at last November at that location. The vegetarian option was delicious (and luckily some of our friends at the table ordered it so we all ate off their plates), but I couldn’t even get through a quarter of the steak I was served.

View Quoted Comment Good to know! Thank you.

View Quoted Comment I would stay away from doing this as there are often clauses in vendor/venue contracts that talk about pulling services if the event is different than what was billed.

We found all inclusive rates were much higher.. For bar, food venue, reception and everything like that we were looking at packages in 10-15k range (in gatlinburg TN) and that didn't include our dress attire or anything.. We found it much more affordable looking at options that weren't inclusive. Yes it was more stressful trying to coordinate it all but you have plenty of time as well. I got engaged in August, we are getting married in October of this year. Our most expensive thing is we decided to rent a 9 bedroom cabin for us and our wedding party so we are all in one place for the week. That was 5700 but besides all that our wedding itself broke down really nicely.

We have 105 guests on our guest list

$3200 for venue for ceremony and reception (this also includes all my chairs and tables and table cloths and lots of decorations to choose from).

$1450 for catering (this includes our dessert and main meal)

$510 for bar (just bar services and mixers we are providing alcohol that we bought at wholesale prices because I was a bartender).

$700 for DJ and this includes ceremony music and reception

$100 for save the dates and our invites for everything (we did ourselves using vista print)

MAYBE $150 for sola wood flowers, twine, tape, stems and paint for bouquets and boutonierres.

Maybe $100 for silk flowers for all of my centerpieces

So majority of wedding stuff covered for: $6210

Then I spent $1700 on my dress and FH tux is free because his groomsmen meet the minimum for him to have a free suit.

I made my headpiece and veil and bought my shoes on super clearance.

DIY and shopping around was honestly the best option for me for sure! Not for everyone but for me it was. Just my own input.

What about having the ceremony at one of those Las Vegas chapels. The Little Chapel has a Glass Gardens area that fits up to 88 guests and its only $400. Have the wedding there then maybe a reception at a nearby hotel restaurant/bar. Not sure of what you guys want but its an idea.

https://www.littlechapel.com/las-vegas-wedding-chapels/the-glass-gardens

View Quoted Comment Your wedding sounds awesome! Congrats. Thanks for the tip. I am going to look around for something similar. I appreciate your input.

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Thanks, lots of planning! But for real that was the cheapest way we got to do everything we wanted was looking for multiple vendors. i won't lie its definitely more stressful because you are coordinating with so many more people about contracts and pricing and timelines but it was worth it in my opinion.