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Amanda
Beginner May 2021

Budget ceremony only quasi elopement... ideas needed!??

Amanda, on August 16, 2020 at 4:06 PM Posted in Planning 0 15

Hey yall. My name is Amanda... this is my first post Smiley smile

My fiance and I are planning our wedding in April 2021. We have gone back and forth a million times over on the best way to go about it. We are from Carlsbad, CA... near San Diego (but don't like the beach so a beach ceremony is out LOL)

We have a TINY budget as we are paying for this all ourselves and don't have much to spend. Literally... we are looking at doing the ceremony for $1200 tops. No reception. We have a guest list of about 20-25 people. Just closest family and a couple friends. We just want the ceremony, photos, chairs, cake, champange and flowers. We are looking at the option of doing it in Vegas but off strip outdoors. I'm completely overwhelmed if I'm honest. I'm not sure it's feasible to find a elopement package at that price. ...that's done well.

I know the other option is to do something small at like, someones house but we don't have a lot of options on that end so we need a venue or a location.

Has anyone done something like this? Just looking for ideas! Smiley smile

15 Comments

Latest activity by Mrs. Spring, on August 16, 2020 at 8:23 PM
  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    So here is the deal. $1200 will go fast and if you plan on having photography that can easily eat up that entire price. Are people traveling for your wedding? Usually etiquette says that you need to feed people because they are taking time out of their day to attend your wedding so in lieu of a typical reception maybe do cake and punch?

    I am unsure of elopement packages in your area but check some websites like pop the known or simply eloped. Sometimes their packages come with photography.

    I think having 20-25 guests is fine and I realize etiquette can vary based on the circle. If you feel the people you invite would be cool just seeing the union without any kind of cake or food or anything then go for it.

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  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    Check out a city park or somewhere similar, you may be able to use an outdoor picnic area for either no cost or low cost for both the ceremony and reception. If you're looking to hire a photographer, check with a local photography class, a student photographer would probably be cheaper than a professional. For cake and flowers, check out Costco or Sam's Club or somewhere similar, you'll likely be able to get a sheet cake for cheap, or you can probably ask them to make a small two-tier cake for cheaper than a bakery (with the taste and appearance just as good!).
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  • Amanda
    Beginner May 2021
    Amanda ·
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    Yeah fortunately everyone that is coming in totally understanding and doesn't expect anything. They just want to be there to see us do our vows. We would like to do something after... like you said... evening just cake and champagne or.. shoot... I'll have my mom make a snack haha she's a chef.

    I guess I'm just worried I won't find a package for the price and just looking to see if others have Smiley smile

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    You are going to have to do research. Have you checked google. I dunno about CA but I know in Florida I could google officiants and some actually have their own packages with photography. My officiant has even been awesome for recommendations as sometimes officiants may come into contact with different vendors. Just look up elopement packages for your area.

    I will say from experience you may want to budget for a little more just in case they are not within $1200.

    If you do not mind trekking to San Diego here is the site I mentioned:

    https://simplyeloped.com/elopement-packages/san-diego/

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  • Amanda
    Beginner May 2021
    Amanda ·
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    Youre awesome! Thanks for the info. I'm like 30 mins from San Diego so it's not too far. I'll look into some officiant packages! Didn't know it was a thing.
    Not sure I will be able to stretch past that price point... Thats a stretch as it is! It's been a heck of a year. Just trying to pull it all together and make it special Smiley smile
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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    I think these are some good ideas too. The only thing I would air on the side of caution are student photographers. Elopement or not I feel photography is a huge aspect and even my friend who used limited wedding photographers got a great deal but did not like many of her pictures. If you choose someone that is more affordable make sure they have a portfolio but I would say that for any wedding photographer. See if your area has a wedding fbook group. Mine did and I can say there are many vendors that are not on wedding wire. Parks could be a lovely and cost effective option and Sam's Club does cakes super cheap.

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    I completely understand. I only know this because I did this research for my ceremony ha ha. Not sure your area does but if anything they will charge their price and may know others that can help you. Smiley smile

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  • Amanda
    Beginner May 2021
    Amanda ·
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    Sweet.. I'll start diving into a few other options! It's so overwhelming lol but I'm excited!!

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  • Kristen
    Master November 2020
    Kristen ·
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    Well are you only wanting an outdoor wedding or could inside work? My officiant has an office where she can do ceremonies. Not sure if you want only outside or does indoors work because that may be an option.

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  • Amanda
    Beginner May 2021
    Amanda ·
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    I mean... ultimately we are going for a country farmish feel.. or out in nature. We wouldn't mind indoors... if it was the right setting I guess. Beggers cant be choosers! But we are trying to keep it as close to how we really want it as possible.

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  • Laiya
    Savvy August 2020
    Laiya ·
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    We’re in the Santa Cruz Mountains and rented an outdoor space with an absolutely breath redwood cathedral for $900. It is so naturally beautiful that there is no need for decorations or flowers besides bouquets and boutonnières. Get an officiant and voila. We hired a photographer, videographer, and violinist but that can easily be replaced by a friend with an SLR camera and a good playlist. We’re getting married in 14 days!
    Good luck and ask me anything. It may even be worth the drive up from Carlsbad.
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  • Amanda
    Beginner May 2021
    Amanda ·
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    I LOVE it up there!!! I can't wait to see photos!!! I will absolutely be asking questions. Question #1 how did you find the spot? Is it a park? Just a random spot? Did you need permits?

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  • Laiya
    Savvy August 2020
    Laiya ·
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    I live about a mile and a half away. No permits. It is privately owned and they do weddings. They have a minimum but with Covid happening you can just talk to Kathy (that’s what we did). https://www.feltonguildweddings.com/







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  • Vicky
    VIP January 2020
    Vicky ·
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    If you're just serving cake and champagne for your reception (yes, the gathering after your ceremony is a reception), then you should have your ceremony and reception at a non-meal time like 2-5 pm.

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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    I haven't but I plan on renting an airbnb (an entire house or condo with a backyard) and having a ceremony there. Whether its inside the house or in the backyard. We live in the midwest and plan to elope in Washington DC. I recommend looking into airbnbs. Make sure you check the box that says "entire place." Due to COVID we will probably only have 4 guests attend to witness us exchange vows but not stay with us in the airbnb. In your case, 20 to 25 guests will most likely have to be a backyard or outside wedding. I also recommend looking into if there are any parks you can exchange vows in. Some require you pay for a permit to do so.
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