Pull off a wedding for 5k

We want an outdoor country themed wedding! All DIY!! I would love to hear any stories of weddings pulled off for under 5k

Well we have a guest list of 150 we are located near Roanoke va and planned to get married the beginning of September on a Saturday at 4pm

Venue can be a huge chunk, so getting one for free is awesome!

Let us know more on what you want to here about. Catering ideas? Decor?

How many guests are you planning for?

EDIT: we must have posted at the same time. Just saw - 150 guests. You will have to do a lot of catering research! Some popular restaurants have catering departments as well. That may be your most affordable bet. But food and drink will probably eat up all of your budget (if not more). You will probably have to increase your budget, or cut your guest list

My wedding came in around $4500 for 50 people with a free venue and donated photography. That includes our attire and rings. Food will be a huge chunk of your budget. If you are going with a country theme, BBQ catering could be an option.

Right now our guest list is 150 people I'm sure we will cut that number down some before the actual wedding date! I am wondering about catering decor lighting table/tent rentals all that good stuff we are going for a rustic country theme groom and groomsmen will wear blue jeans and boots

Having 150 guests for $5k is near impossible at dinner time. If your wedding is at 4 pm you will need to serve them dinner and that will be hard to do for $5k while also paying for everything else. DIY does not always equal cheaper

Cut the guest list. Now.

I'm just looking for a little inspiration lol I would love to hear someone's story of planning their whole wedding their selves and under 5k

For 150 guests for JUST food and drinks you'd be looking at $33 a person. I would look at cutting your guest list...a lot.

So you don't care what we have to say and you know it will work? You won't find a bride who did this for 150 people for that price.

You will be amazed at how expensive tent rentals are. I doubt you will save money there. You'll either need to increase your budget by a few thousand or cut the guest list.

Thanks everyone I think that will be the best thing to do also!! How tacky would it be to do a pot luck wedding instead of accepting gifts? Is that weird??

Your catering will be the most expensive for 150 people. Even at only $15 per person for food, that is half of your budget. If you want to do it for less than 5k you will either have to cut your guest list, or offer only a cake and punch reception.

Another thing to remember is DIY can be just as expensive if not more than buying your items so do your research and utilize all the coupons out there.

Photography can also be a huge chunk of your cost. Ours for 2 photographers for 10 hours is about $5k.

^ Come on...

Edit: That arrow is for Frances, not FutureMrsbr!

Yes it's weird.

NO TO POTLUCK!!!!

Catering is a must.

CK already told you she planned the whole wedding herself for $5k......for 15 guests. Moving to a nonmeal time might help but you're definitely need to cut that list if you're planning on serving dinner.

Hi Frances, welcome to WW! Make sure to upload a picture for your avatar (instead of the default icons) so that we can get to know you and tell you apart from all the other posters. You can do this on a desktop computer under My Settings and Profile and Privacy Settings.

There are a lot of brides and grooms on here who have pulled off beautiful weddings on a small budget. You just have to prioritize and be realistic about pricing! My best advice would be either to cut your guest list, or to have your a cake and punch reception during a non-meal time. Food & beverage is always the most expensive part of any event

Here's a great post from last month about "what has been your greatest deal yet" for budget brides:

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/budget-brides-whats-been-your-greatest-deal-yet/80e99404efedd1e6.html

5000 MIGHT be enough to cover only food for 150. Not alcohol. I would cut it down to 50 or less guests. You still need a photographer and that's a huge expense. Does your venue allow you to hire an outside caterer and bring in alcohol?